What Is Norths Chess Club? History, Players, and How to Join

Updated

Norths Chess Club is a Sydney chess club that has operated since 1908, when it was founded as Chatswood Chess Club. It is the club behind northsydneychess.org, and its own site frames it as a long-running home for competitive and social chess in the area. If you are considering joining or simply want to know what the club is, the short answer is: an established club with a documented history, named players, and an open invitation to come and play.

Origins: Chatswood Chess Club, 1908

The club began in 1908 under the name Chatswood Chess Club. One of its earliest venues was the School of Arts on Victoria Avenue, Chatswood — a site now occupied by The Concourse. That detail matters for anyone trying to place the club geographically: its roots are in Chatswood, on Sydney's lower north shore, not in a purpose-built chess venue.

The club's first officeholders are recorded by name: H. Edmunds was the first Club Champion, and C. N. Backhouse was the first President. These are useful markers if you are checking the club's lineage or writing about its history — they are specific, verifiable claims rather than general statements about "a long tradition."

Players Associated with the Club

The club states that its members have included many famous Australian chess names, among them Lajos Steiner, John Purdy, Terrey Shaw and Phillip Viner. It also describes itself as having been home to star players Max Ilingworth and Anton Smirnov.

For a prospective member, this is the clearest signal of the club's standing: it has been a place where strong players played, not only a social venue. That said, the site does not break down when each player was active at the club or in what capacity, so treat the list as an indication of reputation rather than a detailed record.

What the Club Offers Now

The site's current activity centres on events and news rather than a static description. Recent listings include:

  • GM Mitrabha Guha Simul — Monday, 6 April 2026, described as "a special night of chess" with a grandmaster.
  • Junior Coaching & Tournament — Sunday, 19 April 2026, at Norths Club (Auditorium).
  • An Evening with GM Viswanathan "Vishy" Anand — Monday, 23 February 2026, starting at 7.30pm.

Two things follow from this. First, the club runs both junior development and high-profile grandmaster events, so it caters to more than one level of player. Second, the schedule is event-driven — if you want to attend something specific, check the news section for dates and details rather than assuming a fixed weekly programme.

Joining and Getting Involved

The club's site includes a direct join link ("CLICK HERE TO JOIN US") and a general invitation to "come play!!!" The published material does not state membership fees, subscription tiers, or whether joining requires an existing member's nomination. Those details are not in the source, so confirm them with the club directly before assuming cost or eligibility.

A practical sequence for a prospective member:

  1. Open northsydneychess.org and read the latest news items to see upcoming events.
  2. Use the join link on the site to start the membership process.
  3. If you plan to attend a specific event (a simul, a junior tournament, an evening with a grandmaster), check the individual news post for venue and start time — the Anand evening, for example, lists a 7.30pm start.

Expected result: you should end up with a confirmed membership path and a dated event you can attend. Common snag: the site's public pages emphasise news and history over logistics, so fee and venue questions may need a direct enquiry.

Is It the Right Club for You?

Choose Norths if you want a club with a long competitive record and a mix of junior coaching and grandmaster events. Look elsewhere if you need published pricing or a detailed weekly timetable before making contact — that information is not available on the pages reviewed here. The club's own framing is welcoming and open ("come play!!!"), but the specifics of cost and commitment still need to be confirmed with the club.