Ways to Revitalise club chess?

[hamish olson]

What it says on the tin.

[Gary McPheator]

I think what Ian alluded to in another thread would help attract new members to clubs. If clubs set up clubs on the internet, they could interact with players in their local area who may not even realise that there is a club that meets regularly down the road from them. It is something I am going to try and set up over the summer for Prestwick.

[hamish olson]

Yes I think the internet offers a lot of potential for clubs to expand and am keen to have any suggestions that Bon Accord could use. We have recently created a Facebook page (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.facebook.com/bonaccordchessclub?ref=ts&fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/bonaccordchess ... ts&fref=ts</a><!-- m -->) that has attracted a trickle of enquiries - nothing breathtaking but every little helps.
We also got a new website at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://bonaccordchess.wordpress.com">https://bonaccordchess.wordpress.com</a><!-- m --> which is much much better than our old one (and free)

What Scottish chess internet groups are there out there ?

[RFRASER]

chess.com has many internet groups based in Scotland. Some are linked by special interest such as fans of either side of the old firm, some are linked to a town or area in Scotland e.g. Team Glasgow and some are linked to a specific chess club.

[Ianbrownlee]

there is also a Lanarkshire club and a team scotland club with decent strength (for me) playing members

[RFRASER]

The three clubs mentioned are all good active clubs that are free to join. They are a good chance to tell internet players about your own club and can drum up some genuine interest. Meeting people face to face is also good so on that note.

This Saturday (27th June) is Paisley Gala day at Barshaw park starting at twelve o'clock and lasting until four pm. Paisley Chess club will be there doing some promotional work setting up a couple of chess boards and playing the public to drum up interest in the game and our club.

It is a good family day out and there will be live music, bouncy castles, stalls and pizza workshop.

If you want to come along and help or even just say hello please feel free.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.paisleychessclub.org.uk">http://www.paisleychessclub.org.uk</a><!-- m -->

[Phil Thomas]

Glad to see it went so well today for yourself Roland and for Jim.

Pleasure to see you guys in action against so many unknown juniors.

Maybe double the equipment next year? there seemed to be enough interest for that.

Hope a few of them come along to the club on Monday.

[RFRASER]

Thanks Phil to you and Jacqui for coming along to support us. The day went well land there was a lot of interest mainly from young children. A couple of families expressed an interest in coming to the club as a unit which would help with attendances. We had a third set our earlier in the day but it was a bit lightweight and as the slight breeze built up kept blowing away. Our main set was triple weighted so we may get a couple of these for future outdoor events.

Three boys who wanted to play in consultation against me but decided that it would be better if they took a shot each to my one, a lad who insisted that Bishops made a noise like a rocket and Rooks machine guns whenever moved and a little girl who's baby brother kept trying to climb onto the board to use the pieces as dummy substitutes all made for a lively day.

I enjoyed myself, played games against players of all levels, spent no money other than bus fare home and got a good bit of sunshine.

[RFRASER]

Paisley Chess Club are having another chess stall at the Barshaw Park in Paisley. This is on Saturday 1st August at 12 noon. This time it is part of the Scottish Afro-Caribbean Carnival. There will be parades, stalls and performers so it should be a good day out.
The set up will be similar to the recent Paisley Gala. We will have around three chess sets at our stall giving us the chance to promote chess to the general public and give them a game. Please feel free to come and help or even drop by to say hello.

[Graham Kerr]

Badgers Brook have our own group on chess.com, and has certainly contributed to the club's membership in recent years.
We do get new members from elsewhere, but also have recruited a few from chess.com.
It can also be an extra presence for your club, posting of match results, club announcements, games etc are frequent occurrences there for us.