About KJCA

The Kent Junior Chess Association ("KJCA") is responsible for the development of junior chess throughout Kent and South-East London, having been established even before the Second World War. KJCA is staffed entirely by volunteers, all of whom provide a valuable service in contributing to the organisation, with all surplus earnings being re-invested to provide playing opportunities for the benefit of its juniors.

Throughout most of the year, KJCA runs tournaments and coaching days across Kent and South East London.  We also select our junior county teams from Under 9 up to Under 18 age groups to compete in inter-County Championships. The strongest players are encouraged to compete for national and even international representation.

KJCA also liaises closely with local schools and chess clubs to promote the development of school chess teams, so that juniors can maximise their playing potential and contribute towards playing for their county.

An important part of our vision is that families attending our events experience an enjoyable day in pleasant surroundings and a friendly atmosphere, as well as a high quality standard of competitive chess. Win, lose or draw, we hope that you will make friends and come back again. What is more, our catering offers excellent value for money and only adds to the day’s enjoyment!

The strong team spirit engendered among Kent Juniors has resulted in our winning many inter-county titles over the years.  Some of our players have gone on to gain international recognition, as well as becoming FIDE, International and Grand Masters.

Playing chess is both a recreational sport and a way of developing skills in problem-solving, planning and concentration, together with developing a sense of team spirit and life-long learning. All of these skills, we hope, will also complement both the academic and social development of our juniors.

The KJCA website will be updated at regular intervals throughout the year, providing information about both KJCA activities and national events.  We hope you enjoy reading about both our events and achievements, some of which may even be your own.