My friend talked me into joining BCA. I’m pleased I did! I’ve played chess with so many friendly people and I love the audio chess magazine. It helps me very much with my chess learning.
Nene
Thank you so much for my first ever game with BCA. I’ve been extremely grateful of the BCA team supporting myself and being so welcoming. It feels like BCA is a big family!
Ben F
Thank you for organising such a brilliant tournament. It was my first and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to similar events in the future.
Paul I
Thank you to all who helped organise the Chess Theme Break. You must have put a lot of work into it. As a new member I found everyone really friendly and helpful. I had ticked every activity on the on-line entry form as I wanted to make the most of my week and I can definitely say I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed the coaching and the “How Good is Your Chess?” sessions and found the evening entertainment great fun. As to the final evening’s Soirée, it was a fitting finale to the week. There is plainly a lot of talent in the BCA.
Mark N
My guide dog and I recently attended our first BCA chess congress. From the start I was made very welcome by everyone and soon made new friends. New members were instantly made to feel like valued members of the Braille Chess family. The dog spending area was just a few steps from the hotel entrance, and this was much appreciated by us five or six guide dog owners, especially early in the morning.
When it came time to play, I was nervous as this was the first time I was going to play over the board with another blind player, and my first tournament. I was also concerned because I didn’t know how to set my chess clock but needn’t have worried as the stewards cheerfully set it for me each time. My nervousness soon dissipated however as I was thinking hard about my moves. I enjoyed playing very much indeed. Would I go again? Yes, most certainly. And if you have not been before I would encourage you to give it a try!
Maria D
Having been very depressed when you sent it about my sight this helped me keep playing, and I’ve now set up a chess club for kids and have taught a few adults to play.
Today I played OTB at the [local] chess club, and feel very grateful. It might have seemed a little thing, but it genuinely made a difference to my mental health, and I am able to give back to my local community.
I don’t feel so shut in, and you genuinely helped me. Thanks.
I run an afterschool chess club at our local library on Wednesday for children, which is well attended, and an adult session on Fridays.
I’ve been approached to teach chess at a local youth club too, so that little seed really has helped so much.
Two of my chess children took part in the UK primary school tournaments and got as far as the mega finals, while another of them is signing up to play in local tournaments this autumn.
Locally I’m not the ‘blind lady,’ I’m the ‘chess lady.’
Mary L