New - Casual Chess Nights

A New Chess Club for South Norfolk

Brecks & Valleys Chess Club started with a simple idea: build a modern, relaxed chess club — somewhere members enjoy being and are proud to be part of. 

Over the past few weeks, that idea has become a reality. We have a name and brand identity, a home at The Crown in Great Ellingham, a website at bvchess.com, and a date for our first chess night:

 Thursday 10 September 2026, from 7.00pm.

Now comes the important part — finding our members.

A regional club

Brecks & Valleys isn't built around a single town or village. We're bringing together chess players from across South Norfolk and the neighbouring Brecks — Attleborough, Wymondham, Dereham, Watton, Thetford, Swaffham, Diss and Mulbarton, and the villages and communities between them.

With much of our catchment around a 30-minute drive from Great Ellingham, we hope to draw players from across a surprisingly wide area.

That regional outlook is where our name comes from: the distinctive Brecks and the lowland river valleys that shape this part of Norfolk. Great Ellingham is our home, but we want our membership to reflect that reach.

Casual chess, first

At the heart of the club is regular, relaxed over-the-board chess on Thursday evenings.

We want a mix of people — seasoned players, those returning after time away, online players trying OTB for the first time, and anyone who simply wants more chances to play face-to-face.

Competitive chess can grow alongside that as the club develops, but a good Thursday evening comes first.

We've set the direction; the members who join us will shape the character of the club from here.

Join us from the start

Between now and September, we're looking for the people who want to be part of Brecks & Valleys from day one.

Have a look around bvchess.com, read our Q&A and get in touch to let us know you're interested. We'd love to hear from you before the boards come out on 10 September.

Play chess. Find your place. Raise your game.