Simultaneous Exhibition with GM Chris Ward

On Thursday 11th April 2024, Dartford Junior Chess Club hosted a simultaneous exhibition with British Grandmaster Chris Ward — giving our juniors the thrilling opportunity to play against one of England's most experienced GMs.

About GM Chris Ward

Chris Ward is a British Grandmaster who grew up in North West Kent, not far from Dartford. He won the British Championship in 1996 and has been one of England's leading chess coaches and authors for decades. Known for his sharp attacking style and expertise in the Sicilian Dragon, Chris has represented England internationally and captained the National Ladies team.

Having a Grandmaster with local roots visit our club made the event extra special.

The Simultaneous

Chris took on all of our junior members simultaneously, moving from board to board with the calm confidence you'd expect from a player of his calibre. For our juniors, it was a chance to experience what it's like to face a Grandmaster — the speed of decision-making, the precision, and the relentless pressure that top players bring to every position.

The juniors gave it everything. Some found themselves in tricky positions early on, while others managed to build up promising positions and test Chris's defensive skills. The concentration and determination shown by every player was fantastic to see.

An Inspiring Experience

Events like this show our juniors what's possible in chess. Sitting across the board from a Grandmaster — seeing how they think, how they handle multiple games, and how they find resources in difficult positions — is an experience that sticks with young players and motivates them to keep improving.

Certificates for All

Every junior who participated received a certificate commemorating their experience of playing against a Grandmaster — a keepsake marking a special moment in their chess journey.

A big thank you to Chris for making the trip to Dartford and giving our members such a memorable evening.