Where to Play Chess in Singapore 2020

Finally, I am able to find some time to update this blog post during this Chinese New Year long break!

Which chess sites are listed:

• The ones I know! So please let me know if there are great chess sites that I am not currently aware of, and I would love to update my list. I will also try my best to visit it at least once. Good things are meant to be shared ^o^
• I will only list down chess sites or meetups that are generally receptive to the public as well as new members. (And yes, there are indeed at least 1 chess site I know which falls under this category).
• Current chess sites I know typically includes meetups as well as chess clubs in Community Clubs or Centres (CCs). The membership are either free of charge, or comes with a very nominal fee. For CCs that charge a nominal membership fee, they usually also allows you to have a trial session to see if you like the club activities before joining.
• Specifically excluded are chess schools or chess institutions for obvious reasons -- I (still) do not wish to compare one against another, neither am I qualified to do so.
• To minimise bias, I will avoid making personal comments regarding these chess sites. But for those which I comment on, you can be assured I know these sites well enough, and I am only trying to help you make an informed decision =)

Mondays
No chess site known at present.


Tuesdays
*new* Bishan Chess Club

This is a new meetup I have come across recently. It is completely free of charge, and rapid tournaments (informal, unrated) are organised regularly. It is quite a new club with mostly adult players. I think I know more than half of them in person, and I actually met an old friend who left the Siglap South CC Chess Club after moving house!

By the way, do NOT mix up this one with the Thomson CC Chess Club on Friday Nights.


Senja-Cashew CC Chess Club

Wednesdays
The Singapore Chess Meetup
Where: Asia Square Tower One (nearest MRT station is downtown station, downtown "blue" line)
When: 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Still the best chess site in Singapore right now, boasting the biggest number of active players each week. So far, our record is > 60 players during the school holidays. And the worst turnout session fills up > 20 players. Not to mention that meetup sessions continued even over Christmas and New Year too! You simply cannot find any other chess site in Singapore with such a high, regular turnout. (Let me know if I am wrong on this as I would love to be corrected!)

Turnout numbers aside, all players, regardless of age, gender and playing strength, (including complete beginners) will feel welcomed.

• Winner stays blitz table would be a good self-gauge of how you fare within the meetup group.
• So far, I have found players to play in all 3 time controls (standard, rapid and blitz).
• Other than "serious"chess, quite a number of interesting formats have been experimented (e.g. make each move within 10-second countdown, "hand and brain", relay chess) Personally hourglass time format is my favourite, but unfortunately, it hasn't been widely picked up.
• While we have around 10 sets of chess equipment (chess sets and clocks), do consider bringing your own to avoid waiting time. Also, you can continue your game(s) after 9:30pm if you are using your own chess equipment.
• The founder, Mr Bradley Loh, strongly encourages everyone to RSVP on the meetup page, so that people new to the meetup group is assured that this is an "active" group to consider joining.
• The meetup has been featured in the news! Can you identify me from the picture? ^o^
• You can check the photo updates on the facebook page to see how well the meetup is doing =)

Thursdays
Senja-Cashew CC Chess Club
(as stated above on "Tuesday")

NUS Intellectual Games Club (NUS IGC) *Do note the change of schedule from Tue to Thu*
Where: National University of Singapore (NUS), Kent Ridge Campus, Multi Purpose Sports Hall (MPSH4)
When: 6:30pm to 9pm
Follow their latest updates on Instagram
For queries, you may contact NUS IGC (igcDOTnusATgmailDOTcom).


Fridays
Thomson CC Chess Club
Where: Bishan CC, Classroom 4 (at level 1)
When: 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Note: Due to renovations, the Thomson CC Chess Club is currently holding its chess club activities at Bishan CC.

This meetup consists of a balanced group of kids (most of them are being coach) and adults (most familiar with tournament play). Personally, I feel the kids here as a group overall are the most serious about improving - they bother to record their games and often ask their opponents about where their play went wrong, how they could've improved their play etc.

Because of location (near enough from my office) and good company (again, most adult players are close friends, and some kids are so keen to challenge me repeatedly), this is 1 of my regular chess sites.


Cashew Chess Club
Where: Cashew RC Zone 5 (opposite Bukit Panjang Plaza McDonald's)
When: 8pm onwards


Saturdays
Chess Interest Group

Where: Kent Ridge Guild House, Lobby / Activity Room

When: 1st Saturday of each month

Sundays

Cafe X Chess *Newly introduced since 15 Dec 2019*

As a spin-off from PubXChess to cater to a different target group (kids and casual players who are early risers),

Where: Cafe location location announced on the meetup page
When: 10am - 1pm

Pub X Chess

Where: Different Pub locations across Singapore. The venue is determined only the week / days before. There are also some varying formats and challenges, so as to keep the experience fresh and interesting for everyone. Updates can be read on PubXchess' facebook page or Instagram. ).
When: The weekly blitz tournament usually starts at 3:30pm sharp. Please RSVP on the meetup page to facilitate organising.

New: With effect from 15 Dec 2019, the session is specially catered for adults and minors with FIDE or in-house rating above 1700.

Nanyang CC Chess Club
Where: Nanyang CC, ground floor, "glass room"
When: 3pm to 5pm

This chess club always holds a special place in my heart. That is why I always organise "special events" with them, with the most recent being IM Anna Rudolf's visit and Guest Lecture! (I need time to make a separate post about it.) The chess club T-shirts autographed by Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlsen, I believe they can still be seen in public display ^o^

Queenstown CC Chess Club
Where: Queenstown CC (nearest MRT station is Queenstown, East-West "green" line)
When: 3pm to 7pm

Siglap South CC Chess Club
Where: Siglap South CC, Room #02-07
When: 3pm to 6pm, or until whatever time newbie_learner or the Siglap South CC Chess Quartet can stay to

This is the chess club which I serve as the primary facilitator. So you can be assured I am constantly trying to make it as enjoyable for everyone including myself as possible.

Hope you will find this useful!


Yours sincerely
Ong Yujing (newbie_learner)
Siglap South CC Chess Quartet
(the rest of the Quartet are Seng Chin, William and Eric)