Since 2005

About our club

A serious junior club with a waiting list, four coaches, and a reputation as the premier junior club in the county.

Club history

Founded in 2005 by John Hipshon at Alcuin School, attracting the top junior players in West Yorkshire. Head coach Nick Nixon helped shape that reputation from day one.

When the school closed in 2009 the club moved to Alwoodley Community Centre. Members are ACA junior members. The club runs a joint adult and junior team with Alwoodley Chess Club in Yorkshire League Division 3.

ECF Club of the Year 2023 ECF Chess Club of the Year in 2023. Four teams in the Yorkshire Junior League; the A team were Yorkshire Champions last season.

How membership works

Not automatic. Players must know at least the basic moves. We look for interest and enthusiasm rather than outright talent, and members are expected to attend a high percentage of sessions.

Children must be over 7 on 1 September — no exceptions. The fee for 2026–27 is £125. The club is full, with a waiting list.

We follow an ECF-aligned safeguarding policy and a code of conduct for members, coaches and parents.

Register interest

Coaches

A policy of coaches who are qualified teachers and/or highly experienced in junior chess.

Organiser

John Hipshon

Retired chemistry teacher and A-level programme manager at Leeds City College. Former head of Alcuin School. Chairman of Alwoodley Chess Club, runs the Yorkshire Junior Chess Association, qualified arbiter, junior secretary of Yorkshire Chess Association. ECF 2025 award for outstanding contribution to junior chess.

Senior coach

Ernest Karumazondo

Represented Zimbabwe at the 2002 Olympiad. Worked with IM Lorin D’Costa at Edgware Gambits, then with CM Tomer Eden. Over 12 years’ teaching: “I am a passionate chess teacher dedicated to helping students of all ages build strategic thinking, patience and problem-solving through chess.”

Coach

David Pedro

History teacher in Harrogate and head of department. Former Essex junior, plays for Alwoodley Chess Club.

Coach

Amanda Hipshon

Former English Girls’ Champion, multiple county titles, qualified arbiter. Master’s in Physical Geography; data analyst at Yorkshire Water.

Former players

Harry Li

Represented England at the World Youth Championships in South Africa.

James Bowler

Twice British Junior Champion; has also coached at the club.

Amanda Hipshon

Former English Girls’ Champion; now on the coaching team.