Zwischenzugs & Rock & Roll

This column is designed to help plug the gap in the exposure of chess in South Bucks. I learnt in the 90s at the Chalfont and Hazlemere clubs under the tutorship of David Balderson and Brian Lacey respectively. There are a decent number of school and junior clubs in Bucks, run by very active volunteers. At primary school level, Bucks is able to compete nationally. However, where I feel we differ from other counties is the transitionary period when kids hit secondary school. Sport, girlfriends and boyfriends, exams and the notion that chess is somehow uncool all hit at once.

The most talented and enthusiastic kids find that their secondary school doesn't have as active a chess scene as their primary school did, so they look for an adult club. Of which, in the entirety of the county, there are 4. FOUR. At Aylesbury. Bourne End, Gerrards Cross and Wycombe & Hazlemere. Admittedly, the clubs at Slough and Berkhamsted enter teams into the Bucks League, but the player pool is still very small. We're not really giving kids a chance to develop their enthusiasm into a solid love for the game. And that doesn't mean they have to grow into superstars - just to keep them playing is more than half the battle.

Because chess really is for everyone, of any level. Maintaining an active bedrock of players is crucial to the prosperity of any chess community. These are the people who, year in year out, contribute their subscriptions, clock up the driving miles and playing hours and hopefully provide an inspiration to those coming through. Success is a glorious thing, but I believe - in all arenas - there is too much pressure on kids to achieve it. Clubs and schools should provide as many teams as there is interest, to ensure maximum participation. What Bucks chess is lacking is the interest.

So this column is designed to increase this interest. There'll be something new every Wednesday, with bits and pieces thrown in on other days when I can. I encourage anyone to send me queries, games, reports and photos to makepeacewithchess@gmail.com. You can also follow me on twitter @buckschess.

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