What Makes Hammersmith So Special?

After nearly 14 years as a member of Hammersmith Chess Club, I believe the answer is clear.

What makes this club special is not just the chess. It is the spirit of the place.

It is the sense of ownership that members feel: this is their club. It is the camaraderie — the way Hammers support one another, compete together, and take pride in each other’s successes. It is the welcome we offer, creating a safe and friendly environment where people come not only to play chess, but also to make friends.

Our club reflects London, and especially Hammersmith and Fulham, at its best: diverse, open, and outward-looking. We build friendships beyond our own walls, and even beyond our own city. Our recent trip to Lübeck was a perfect example of that spirit in action.

We are also ambitious in what we offer. We actively support women’s chess, girls’ chess, juniors, beginners and improvers. We innovate. We bring in outstanding guest lecturers. And we are fortunate to have a superb venue in which all of this can happen.

All of these things are part of our DNA. They define who we are.

But none of them happens by accident.

At the heart of Hammersmith Chess Club is one thing above all else: our volunteers.  The trainers, captains, committee members and helpers who give their time, energy and expertise so generously.

People such as Adam, Ana, Jenny, Sarah, Gaston, David, David, Christof, Nadim, Tom, Tom, Richard, and many others contribute enormously to the life of the club. They step forward, take responsibility, and make things happen. They do so not for reward, but because they believe in the club and want to see it flourish.

That, more than anything else, is what makes Hammersmith Chess Club so special.

Now that we are a charity, our ambition is greater than ever. We want to do more, and to do that, we need more volunteers.

So if you can help, please get in touch at jdrw9591@gmail.com.

You could become a captain, help with one of our classes or club sessions, support an event, or simply bring fresh ideas. However you choose to contribute, you will be helping the club continue to grow and evolve.

Our immediate need is for the Community Event in Ravenscourt Park on 18 July 2026, where Hammersmith Chess Club will have a stand. If you can help, please check the WhatsApp poll and put your name forward.

Many hands really do make light work.  More importantly, they help build the kind of club we all want to belong to.

So this is a call for Hammers to assemble.

Join the team.

John White
Events Officer