Free Chess Lessons for Mothers/Women - Celebrating Women's Day

Chess is often described as a universal language. Yet, for many women and girls, access to that language has historically been limited due to a range of factors, including societal expectations around the role of women, the value placed on their time and hobbies compared to family and work responsibilities, and broader barriers linked to education, employment, and social opportunity.
The London Women Chess Club (LWCC) was founded to change that.
We are a non-profit organisation, awarded by the English Chess Federation (ECF), a community-led chess club dedicated to empowering all women and girls through chess, not only by teaching the game, but by creating a safe, supportive environment where confidence, learning, and ambition can grow side by side.
Why the London Women Chess Club exists
Despite chess being open to all, women still make up a small minority of players in clubs, tournaments, and leadership roles. Many women tell us they feel intimidated joining mixed clubs, unsure of their level, or hesitant to play competitively, even when they have talent and passion.
LWCC was created to address this gap.
Our mission is simple: to increase participation, confidence, and representation of women in chess, from beginners to competitive players.
What we do
London Women Chess Club runs regular chess sessions, social play, training, and tournaments across London. Our activities are designed to be welcoming, structured, and encouraging, whether someone is touching the board for the first time or preparing for league and rated play.
We focus on:
Learning without pressure
Progress at your own pace
Building confidence through experience
Creating a sense of belonging
Supporting women to step into competitive chess
We also collaborate with libraries, community centres, and chess organisations to ensure chess remains accessible, inclusive, and rooted in the community.
More than just a chess club
LWCC is not only about moves and results. It is about:
· Personal growth
· Mental resilience
· Leadership and volunteering
· Mentorship and peer support
· Representation in sports and mind games
Many of our members arrive unsure of themselves, and leave feeling empowered to play matches, enter tournaments, volunteer, arbitrate, organise, and lead.
That transformation is at the heart of everything we do.
Looking ahead
· As the club continues to grow, we are actively developing:
· New partnerships
· More competitive opportunities for women
· Volunteer and leadership roles
· Sustainable funding and community support
We welcome collaboration with individuals, organisations, councils, and sponsors who believe in equality of opportunity, community sport, and the power of chess as a tool for empowerment.
If you are interested in women’s chess, community sport, volunteering, or partnership opportunities, we’d love to connect.
Together, we are building a stronger, more confident future for women in chess.
♟️ LWCC is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful environment for all women and girls, in line with equality and safeguarding principles.