Easter Chess Camps

Hotel Rafayel, Battersea (Lombard Road, SW11 3RF). This is a calm, comfortable riverside venue with parking on site and a riverside restaurant. Weather permitting, we may take the children across to Fred Wells Gardens, the small park opposite the hotel, at lunchtime for some fresh air.

London Christian School, Borough (40 Tabard Street, SE1 4JU). A short walk from Borough station, with the camp based in the school's classrooms.

Our Battersea camps are for children aged 6 to 14 (Years 2 to 9), and our Borough camps are for children aged 6 to 11 (Years 2 to 6).

We group children by age and ability so everyone is well matched, whether they're picking up a piece for the first time or already playing in tournaments.

If your child is just outside these ages, drop us a line and we'll do our best to fit them in.

Many of our players start as complete beginners. Our coaches teach right from the very first move, in a friendly, encouraging way, so no experience is needed at all.

Because we group by ability, stronger and more experienced players are stretched too, with more competitive games and tournament preparation.

Bookings for Easter aren't open yet. Join the waiting list using the form on this page and we'll email you as soon as dates are confirmed.

Yes. A full day runs 9am–4pm; a half day runs 9am–1pm. The half-day option is aimed at our youngest players (ages 5-6), for whom a shorter day often works better.

• Sibling discount — 10% off your second and any further child on the same week. Complete the sibling box on the booking form (or mention it when you email) and we'll apply it.

• Bursaries — we never want cost to stop a child taking part. If a place would be a stretch, get in touch — we hold bursary places each camp and sort it discreetly.

Yes — wraparound care is available if you need a little more flexibility. Late pick-up until 5pm is £5 per day each. Tick it on the booking form when you book, or add it later — just let us know.

A packed lunch, a water bottle (a refill station is available), snacks for the breaks, and comfortable clothes. Everything needed for the chess itself — boards, sets and materials — is provided.

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.

Plans change — just email us at coaching@checkmateexperiences.co.uk as soon as you can. Whether a refund applies depends on how much notice you give, as set out in our Holiday Camp Terms & Conditions. Wherever possible, we'll try to move your booking to another week as an alternative.