CJ de Mooi Launches New Venue

CJ de Mooi, the actor of BBC's Eggheads fame and president of the ECF, visited St Albans Chess Club to open the club at our new venue.  Our thanks go to CJ for giving us his time and support for this very successful event, which was enjoyed by all our contestants, parents and club members. He took on all the youngsters in the junior part of the club in a simultaneous exhibition, where CJ played multiple chess games against all the junior members – who are known as the Early Knights.

At the beginning CJ said: "Good luck to everybody, including me!" and at the end: "Clubs like this are essential because children are the future of chess.  Who knows, a future grand master could be among us right now."

Rosemary Phillips, our Early Knights Organiser said: "The Early Knights were really excited to be playing chess against a real TV celebrity and it is something that they will always be able to remember.  It was great to see them all focusing so hard, trying to win their own games – and helping their neighbours along too.  The room was buzzing!"