Featured
Friday 7 August 2026Checkmate for Charity
Try your chess skills against members of Bantry Chess Club in Bantry Town Square. €2 per match — all funds go to Beara Farm Animal Sanctuary.
Bantry Town Square
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West Cork Champions · Sundays 1–3:30 PM
Where West Cork
comes to play chess.
A welcoming community where beginners, families, and competitive players meet every Sunday at Bridge Street Cafe. No fee. No booking. Just chess.
77+
Members
2024
Founded
#1
West Cork
West Cork Chess Champions 2025
Irish Chess Union Affiliated
Munster Chess League
Sundays · 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Bridge Street Cafe · Bantry
77+ Members · No fee · No booking
West Cork Chess Champions 2025
Irish Chess Union Affiliated
Munster Chess League
Sundays · 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Bridge Street Cafe · Bantry
77+ Members · No fee · No booking
By the numbers
A young club with real momentum.
0+
Members
0
Founded
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Sunday sessions a year
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West Cork title held
Our story so far
Two years. One community.
Countless games.
- September 2024
Bantry Chess Club founded
A small group starts meeting weekly at Bridge Street Cafe.
- Winter 2024
First 20 members
Word spreads across Bantry and beyond.
- Spring 2025
West Cork Champions
Bantry wins the prestigious West Cork Chess Tournament in its first year.
- Summer 2025
Irish Chess Union affiliation
The club becomes officially affiliated.
- 2026
Second anniversary
The club celebrates two years and 77+ members.
- Autumn 2026
Hosting the tournament
Bantry hosts the West Cork Chess Tournament as title holders.
- The next chapter — write it with us.
Your move
Solve one before Sunday.
A tactic from our weekly training. Drag a piece — the board knows the winning idea. Get it right and you'll unlock a badge and start a streak.
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Beginner
White to move
Back Rank Finish
Drag a piece to make your move. Find the strongest continuation.
Difficulty
Your streak
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Bridge Street Cafe
Bantry, Co. Cork · P75 EC42
Every Sunday
A warm cafe. A quiet board. A friendly game.
Doors open at 1 PM. Boards, clocks and coffee are all here. Come alone, bring a friend, bring the kids — everyone gets a game.
When
Every Sunday
Time
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Where
Bridge Street Cafe
Next Sunday
Sunday, 26 July
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Upcoming events
The board is set.
Upcoming
Sunday 13 September 2026Second Anniversary Celebration
Two years of community, competition, friendship, and chess in Bantry. Join us for a special Sunday session with cake, prizes, and simuls.
Bridge Street Cafe, Bantry
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Details Coming Soon
Saturday 24 October 2026West Cork Chess Tournament
Hosted by Bantry Chess Club as the current title holders. Full details coming soon — register your interest below.
Bantry (venue TBC)
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Member spotlight
Aoife
This month, we're featuring
A player, a story, a favourite square.
Favourite opening
The London System
Favourite player
Judit Polgár
Best memory
Winning her first tournament game with a knight sacrifice.
Goal for the year
Reach a stable club rating and captain a Munster League team.
"Sunday chess is the best part of my week. It's not just the games — it's the people."
Hall of Fame
Trophies, titles, and moments to remember.
Champions · 2025
West Cork Chess Tournament
Won in our first competitive year against established clubs.
Active competitors
Munster Chess League
Fielding teams and growing every season.
Affiliated club
Irish Chess Union
Officially recognised on the national stage.
Community milestone
77+ Members
From complete beginners to rated tournament players.
Play along
A little game inside the site.
Explore the club, solve puzzles, discover Easter eggs — collect badges as you go. Progress saves on this device, no login required.
Attend a Sunday session
Come along this weekend.
Solve the weekly puzzle
Find the winning move.
Bring a friend
Chess is better together.
Learn a new opening
Try something outside your usual repertoire.
Play someone new
A fresh style teaches you more than routine.
Attend a club event
Add a tournament to your calendar.
Challenge a stronger player
The fastest way to improve.
Support the club venue
Donate your €2–€5 for the day.
Your progress
0/8 badges
First Move
Made your first move on a puzzle.
Puzzle Solver
Solved a weekly puzzle.
Sunday Visitor
Pledged to visit a Sunday session.
Event Explorer
Opened an upcoming event.
Tactics Streak
Solved puzzles two days in a row.
Club Supporter
Learned about the donation model.
West Cork Challenger
Registered interest in the tournament.
Grandmaster Mind
Solved the Grandmaster Challenge.
Progress is saved to this browser only. No account required.
82%
of monthly goal
Support the venue
€164 raised of €200 this month
Bantry Chess Club is free to attend. A small voluntary donation of €2–€5 each Sunday keeps our lights on, chess sets fresh, and Bridge Street Cafe supported. Every euro stays in the community.
55 supporters this month
Donate on SundayIn our members' words
What Sundays sound like.
“I was nervous about joining, but everyone made me feel welcome from the first game.”
— New member
Everything you need to know