Links to useful chess web sites

The English Chess Federation - The governing body for chess in England.

The ECF Grading Database - A searchable database showing the grades of current and inactive players. Searchable by player or club.

The FIDE laws of chess - This is not just how to move the pieces, it includes rules relating to clocks and notation of games and the rules that apply to a quickplay finish. It is important reading for all competitive players.

Also available in PDF format>Chess Rules as PDF.

ECF League Management System - The ECF website now has a feature for managing league results and fixtures. Details of Scarborough's competitive matches are here.

Scarborough Chess Congress - Details of the annual chess congress held at the Spa. Note, this is not organised by Scarborough Chess Club.

Lichess - Free chess playing website. There is a choice of time controls and it is a big site. This can be used by clubs and individuals for tournaments and Scarborough Chess Club is set up here and used it during lockdown to play mini online tournaments.

Chess.com - Another free chess playing website. There is a choice of time controls and it is a big site.

Playchess.com - This is the playing website run by ChessBase. It requires membership but it is free.

Chess Tempo - Practice chess tactics online. Free registration, although a more advanced membership can be paid for. The problems are taken from real games, unlike the typical "Mate in Two" type puzzles found in books. This is a very good website for tactical training.

ChessKid.com - Online chess specifically aimed at kids, parents, chess coaches and school clubs.

A Kid's Guide to Playing Chess - A good introduction on learning to play chess, as well as more resources.

Chess.com - Play online and train / solve puzzles.

Chess Corner - General chess site and more links.

Chessopolis - General chess site and lots more links.

365 Chess - Very big online database. Requires registration to download games, as opposed to viewing, but it is free.

Chess Games Database - Archive of chess games from famous players. Searchable by player and / or ECO code.

Chess Tempo Database - Another big online games database.

PGN Mentor - Many games available for download in PGN format. Grouped by opening or by player.

ChessBase - The home of ChessBase database software and Fritz. This is the "industry standard" database software, but there is no longer a free version available.

WML Software for Chess - This site offers a free package called ChessPad which can store and view games in the PGN format.

Score sheets - One of many sources for printable chess scoresheets.

Tournament pairing method 1 - Swiss tournaments explained.

Tournament pairing method 2 - Round Robin tournaments explained.