British Junior Champs Bootcamp

Mon 27 – Wed 29 July 2026 · 9am–4pm · Hotel Rafayel, Battersea · Ages 7–13

Three days of real tournament chess. A different titled coach every day.
The sharpest possible prep for the British.

£250, lunch included · £100 single days · Strictly limited places

Book Your Place →

Want some more? Optional top up days:

Thu 30 & Fri 31 July, £75/day — details below.

Match fit by Round One

Real Games, On the Clock

Every game is 30 minutes each on the clock and fully notated on CheckMate Kids scorepads — so tournament habits stay switched on when it counts.

A Titled Coach Every Day

Each day brings a different strong coach and a different theme — openings, middlegames, endgames, tactics. Across three days, every part of their game sharpened.

Paired Game Reviews

Where the real improvement happens. After every game, the coach walks through it with both players — turning points, missed chances, better plans. And sharper for hearing what the opponent was thinking.

A Team Before the Tournament

Strictly limited places, grouped by age and strength. Three days of playing, analysing and eating lunch together — so they walk into the British with ready-made teammates.

A Typical Day at Bootcamp

Each day is built around a single theme — such as Endgame Excellence — and the same trusted rhythm runs through all three days.

  • 9:00 Arrive & friendly games — settle in over casual blitz.
  • 9:15 Problem-solving: Endgame Excellence — hands-on positions on the day's theme, worked through together with a coach.
  • 10:00 Tournament Game 1 — a full game on the clock, notated.
  • 11:00 Break — snack and reset.
  • 11:15 Analysis & endgame puzzles — paired game reviews while others sharpen their technique on endgame puzzles.
  • 12:00 Lunch — provided by CheckMate Kids.
  • 1:00 Theme study — a deeper look at the day's endgame theme, led by a CheckMate coach.
  • 1:45 Tournament Game 2 — a second full game, scorepads again.
  • 2:45 Break — snack and reset.
  • 3:00 Analysis & endgame puzzles — game-two reviews, pair by pair, followed by more endgame challenges.
  • 3:30 Variant games — a lighter finish to the day: quick, fun endgame variants.
  • 4:00 Finish & pick-up — please collect promptly from the venue.

Two serious games a day, fully reviewed, with coached problem-solving woven between them and a playful finish. Focused without being relentless.

The Practical Details

Date & Time

Bootcamp:

Mon 27 – Wed 29 July (optional top up days Thu 30 & Fri 31)

Hours:

9am – 4pm daily

Ages:

7–13 (outside this range? Just ask.)

Location & Parking

Venue:

Hotel Rafayel, 34 Lombard Rd, SW11 3RF

Transport:

10-min walk from Clapham Junction

Parking:

On-site available

What to Bring

Food:

Just extra snacks - lunch is provided by CheckMate Kids

Drink:

Water bottle

And:

Plenty of enthusiasm

Dietary requirements? Let us know on the booking form and we'll take care of it.

What They Take Home

Scorepad:

A CheckMate Kids scorepad — used all camp, ready for the British

T-shirt:

A CheckMate Kids t-shirt to wear at the championships

Small things, but by day three they'll feel part of a team.

Bootcamp Pricing

Option Price
All Three Days Mon 27 – Wed 29 July, 9am–4pm £250
Single Day 9am–4pm £100
Top up days
Thursday 30 July 9am–4pm £75
Friday 31 July 9am–4pm £75
Strictly Limited Places

Ready for the British?

Book all three days for £250

Then stay sharp with optional sharpening days, Thu 30 & Fri 31 — £75/day

Three days. Real games. Titled coaches. Genuine preparation.

Book Your Place →

Places are strictly limited to keep groups small and coaching personal.

Questions? Have a look at the FAQs below, or email coaching@checkmateexperiences.co.uk

CheckMate Kids runs chess coaching across South London with qualified, DBS-checked coaches and full safeguarding in place. Our Safeguarding Policy is available here.

By booking, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Notice.

FAQs

  • No. The bootcamp is built as preparation for the championships, but it's just as valuable for any young player ready to take the step into serious, notated tournament play.

  • This bootcamp is designed for our top juniors — players ready for serious, notated tournament chess. Within that, we run two groups by age and experience, so a newer competitive player will still be well matched, and a strong club player won't be held back.

    If you're unsure it's the right fit, get in touch and we'll advise honestly before you book.

  • Optional extra days on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 July (£75/day), for children who want to keep playing after the bootcamp. They're deliberately lighter in feel: after three days of intensive coaching, the best preparation is putting it all into practice. So expect plenty of games, challenges, blitz and team formats, with CheckMate coaches on hand throughout — less classroom, more chessboard. The aim is for players to arrive at the British match-fit and fresh, not overloaded.

  • No — we'll teach them how to notate, and they'll have plenty of time to put it into practice. By day three it'll feel like second nature, and that's a real confidence boost going into the British.

  • Just ask — we can usually accommodate players slightly outside the age range by arrangement.

  • The bootcamp will take place at Hotel Rafayel, Battersea, SW11 3RF.

  • Yes — lunch is provided every day. Please tell us about any allergies or dietary requirements on the booking form. We can cater for most needs; for particularly complex or severe requirements, we may ask you to send a packed lunch so we can be certain your child eats safely — we'll always discuss this with you first.

  • Book online through our website’s booking page.

  • Yes. All our coaches hold an enhanced DBS check including the Children's Barred List. CheckMate Experiences is fully insured and ICO-registered, and we follow clear safeguarding policies at every session. You can read our full safeguarding policy here.

  • Yes! Alongside our in-person sessions in Battersea, London, we offer one-to-one online private chess coaching. Our titled players and experienced coaches tailor every online session to your child's age and ability, whether they are absolute beginners or competitive junior players.

    See our private coaching page.