Isle of Wight Chess News – January 2026

IOW Chess
Jan 9
3 min read

Happy New Year, Island chess players.

With a very busy few weeks ahead, January felt like the perfect time to launch a regular Isle of Wight Chess newsletter to keep everyone up to date with local events, tournaments and opportunities to get involved.

As a small thank you, anyone who subscribes using the form below will be entered into a draw to win a DGT 1500 chess clock, kindly donated by DGT to support the tournament. To be eligible to win, you must either live on the Isle of Wight or have lived here in recent years. Just pop your email in on the form here to enter.

Subscribe to the local Newsletter

February International Chess Tournament

The Isle of Wight International Chess Tournament is now very close and will bring over 200 visiting players to the Island for a full week of chess in February.

There are four events taking place at Ryde School:

Masters Tournament – 16 to 22 February
Weekday Tournament – 16 to 20 February
Weekend Congress – 20 to 22 February
Blitz Tournament – Wednesday 18 February

If you are a regular club player or returning to chess, the Weekend Congress U1600 or Weekday U1700 sections may be particularly suitable.

If you do not wish to play but would like to support the event, spectator tickets are available. Spectators can watch England’s top players competing live in the Ryde School Theatre, with the games shown clearly on large projector screens.

Free Chess Sessions During the Tournament

We will also be running free chess sessions during tournament week at Yelf’s Hotel, Ryde:

Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18, Thursday 19 February
1.00pm to 3.00pm
From 7.00pm onwards (This may become a mini tournament on some nights)

(Likely more will be added at the weekend)

These sessions are open to everyone and are a great opportunity to learn chess, play casually, and meet players from the tournament. I will also do my best to persuade a few Grandmasters to drop in. Free GM Simuls will also take place, subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to know about them.

Introduction to Chess Sessions – January

Before the main tournament, we are hosting Introduction to Chess sessions at the Old NatWest Bank, St Thomas’ Square, Ryde:

Sunday 25 January
Sunday 1 February
2.00pm to 4.00pm

These sessions are free, open to all levels, and ideal for beginners or those returning to the game. Local players who are able to help out would be very welcome.

Shanklin Chess Mini Tournament – 20 January

Shanklin Chess are hosting another friendly mini tournament on:

Tuesday 20 January
Shanklin Over 50s Day Centre
Registration from 10.00am, start at 10.30am
£10 entry, including lunch

The event will use clocks and follow a Swiss format where possible. Lunch will be either shepherd’s pie or lasagne, with a vegetarian option available. Please advise dietary requirements in advance. RSVP with Erfaan.

IOW Enters the Online 4 Nations Chess League

Our online 4NCL season also begins on 20 January at 7.30pm. We currently have a squad of 15 players and will be fielding two teams every two weeks in our first season. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch. hello@iowchess.com

♟️ Weekly Chess Schedule on the Isle of Wight - This can be found here

🟦 Mondays

Ryde Lawn & Tennis Club🕚 11.00am to 12.30pm

Freshwater Conservative Club🕡 6.30pm to 8.00pm

Snacks & Ladders, Newport🕖 7.00pm to 9.00pm

🟩 Tuesdays

Shanklin 50 Plus Centre🕛 12.00pm to 4.00pm

Cowes Library🕑 2.00pm to 4.00pmCasual chess

🟨 Wednesdays

Ryde Library🕔 5.00pm to 7.00pm

🟧 Thursdays

Brading Community Centre🕙 10.00am to 1.00pm

🟪 Saturdays

Cowes Library🕚 11.00am to 2.00pm - First Saturday of the month. Kids casual chess.

Newport Independent Arts Centre🕥 10.30am to 12.30pm - See their Facebook for details

🟫 Sundays

The Star Coffee & Ale House, Ryde 🕚 11.00am to 2.00pm - Starts 1 February 2026 , First Sunday of the month

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic start to the year for chess on the Island. I hope to see many of you over the board soon.

— David