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We have moved to The Customs House and no longer are playing at the New Ship.

Are you completing your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and looking for an exciting, mentally stimulating activity for your Skills section? South Shields Chess Club is proud to support young people working towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards.

At South Shields Chess Club, we provide a welcoming environment where Duke of Edinburgh participants can learn and grow through chess. Our weekly club nights offer the chance to play and socialise with players of all ages and abilities. Experienced members are on hand to provide coaching and guidance to help you improve. We’ll work with you to set clear goals, track your progress, and ensure all requirements for your Duke of Edinburgh Skills section are met. Once you’ve completed your hours, we’ll provide an assessment and sign off your achievement.

FAQ

If you’re completing your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and considering chess for your Skills section, you’re in the right place.

Below are some of the most common questions we get from Duke of Edinburgh participants; everything you need to know to get started, track your progress, and complete your award with South Shields Chess Club.

Yes, chess is a recognised skill under the Duke of Edinburgh Award. It helps develop thinking, problem-solving, and concentration.

Chess fits perfectly into the Skills section of your Duke of Edinburgh because it’s a structured, measurable activity that promotes personal development. Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an experienced player improving tactics, your progress can be recorded and assessed throughout your chosen time period.

No, complete beginners are welcome. We’ll help you learn from the ground up.

We support players of all levels. If you’ve never played chess before, we’ll teach you the rules and guide you through the basics. As you improve, we’ll introduce new strategies and ideas to keep you progressing at a comfortable pace.

Most Duke of Edinburgh Skills sections require one hour per week. Our club nights easily meet this requirement.

Club nights typically run once a week, giving you enough time to learn, play, and reflect on your progress. If you miss a week, we can help you make up time or log additional learning done at home with our guidance.

Yes, we have Duke of Edinburgh-registered volunteers who can assess your chess skill development.

Throughout your time with us, a club member will help track your progress, offer feedback, and ensure you meet Duke of Edinburgh standards. At the end of your chosen time period, they’ll complete the official Duke of Edinburgh assessor’s report and submit it on your behalf.

Yes, and we encourage it! Home study and online play count too.

In addition to club meetings, you’re welcome to practise at home using resources we recommend, such as online tutorials or chess puzzles. This self-led learning counts toward your hours and helps reinforce what you’ve learned at the club.

Keep a simple weekly log — we’ll help you get started.

You can use a notebook or digital document to track what you’ve learned, games played, or challenges you’ve overcome. This makes it easy for your assessor to see your development over time and complete the report at the end.

We aim to keep chess accessible. Any fees will be clearly explained when you join, and we do our best to offer affordable options for students and Duke of Edinburgh participants.

Getting Started

Joining is easy. Simply come along to one of our club nights and introduce yourself.

We’ll help you decide the best way to approach chess based on your current level and Duke of Edinburgh award stage. Together, we’ll set realistic and rewarding goals — whether that’s learning the rules, improving your tactics, or playing in a tournament. As you progress, you’ll keep a simple record of your learning, which we’ll use to help you complete your Skills section successfully.

Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned player, there's a place for you at South Shields Chess Club. Come along for a few games, meet friendly faces, and discover a community that loves the game as much as you do.

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