Downpatrick Chess Club Continues To Thrive With Around 200 Active Members
In the Downpatrick area, chess is a very popular past-time and the Downpatrick Chess Club has around 200 young and adult members who love to play the game under competition rules.
The game of chess originated in India in the 6th century and was called ‘chaturanga’ which referred to the four divisions of the army. These were the infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots. It started as a dice game and evolved into a game of strategy between two players.
Eventually it spread to Persia where it further modified and spread across the Arab world. In the more modern era it moved into Europe and became the game many people enjoy playing today with 32 pieces on a 64-black and quite squared chess board.
For many this is the ultimate strategy game revolving around raw thinking.
Áine Doxey is secratery of the Downpatrick Chess Club and her family are very much involved in it. She said: “We are running a chess competition on in St Colmcille’s Primary School in Downpatrick on March 21st 2026. . The schools have been very supportive of our club and we tend to rotate round the halls each month.
“Some children have joined at 4-years old. But the key point is that they need to be able to hold their attention for 20 minutes which can be quite difficult for some to begin with. Altogether we have around 200 regular players which shows the level of interest in the game. And it’s growing.
“We like to see the young ones having fun and enjoying their chess when they are at the club.
“We actually go out into schools and teach chess in Downpatrick and Crossgar. Many children love it. They develop friendships and learn respect. At the end of each match players shake hands.
“Our club is family oriented and we welcome new members. The club started on the back of the Covid lockdown. My husband Mark started teaching ouyr son Thomas and it all just took off from there.
Two of our adult members act as chess arbiters (referees) and clubs can only hold events if the have arbiters qulaified through FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs). This is the official international governing body for chess based in Switzerland which was established in 1924.
Áine explained that players fall into four categories. The top flight players are called ‘Kings’, and the ‘Queens are the girls sections. The ‘Knights are players who are very improved, and the ‘Bishops’ are the novices who are less experienced.
“In a competition we therefore have a first and second – a winner and runner-up – for each category, and whether they are adult or younger members, respect is always shown through the game and with the handshake at the end and this way players grow in confidence.
“We were fortunate to get a National Lottery Community Fund grant and purchased chess sets, boards, clocks etc so we have the necessary equipment and our insurance is also covered.
“I act as the child protection office and we are fully compliant.
“We work with our supporters and sponsors closely. McDonalds Downpatrick has been great and the kids get a free ice-cream while the parents have a coffee at their McChess sessions. So it’s all a win-win situation.
“On Saturday afternoon each week we meet in a room upstairs in the St Patrick Centre which is free courtesy of the management.
“The ASDA Foundation has been supportive too.
“And we meet in Denvir’s Hotel every other Wednesday evening and we have a comfortable room there also courtesy of the owners. People have been so generous and we are very grateful for all these gestures of support.
“We have some excellent players in the club who have played in FIDE tournaments and gained FIDE ratings in classical, rapid and blitz formats. For example, Paul Reaney has a standard rating of 1818 and a rapid rate of 1703.
“And Jonathan Boyd is a standard 1770 and rapid 1637. Also Finn Davey is a standard 1478 and rapid 1534 while Dermot Maquire is a standard 1669 and a rapid 1557.
“We also have some very young talented players coming through who still have to be assessed.
“We would dearly love to get chess out into the open air with large chess pieces with a and a couple of gazebos so people can enjoy a game when the weather is warmer. That is something we are looking at at the minute.
“Chess is a great game. It helps lower children’s use of mobile phones, tablets and computers and helps develop some thinking critical and social skills building confidence along the way.”
After chatting to ÁINE, I discovered that the Downpatrick Chess Club is actually FREE to members which is astonishing. To date the club has existed on the tremendous goodwill of its patrons.
“So far we have managed to be sustainable and that is great. On behalf of the club I’d just like to thank everyone who has helped us on our chess journey so far. We really appreciate these gestures of support.”
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