Chess in Bairnsdale
Free chess Wednesdays, 4pm to 6pm
Every Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm - and from 3pm in the school holidays - our Macleod Street hub sets out the boards for anyone who wants a game of chess. There's no cost to attend and the boards are ready and waiting, so just come along, pull up a chair and play.
A game of strategy anyone can learn
Chess is a two-player strategy game played on a board of 64 squares. Each player moves their pieces in turn - pawns, knights, bishops, rooks, a queen and a king - with the aim of trapping the other player's king in checkmate. The rules take an afternoon to learn, and there's always something new to discover after that.
Our Wednesday session is about bringing people together over the board. We're providing the venue and the chess sets - a proper space with room to set up, meet other players and get a game going. The games belong to the community, and the players who come along are happy to help new people learn if you're keen.
Boards are out every Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm at ESports Collective on Macleod Street, Bairnsdale, and from 3pm in the school holidays. There's no cost to attend - bring your own set if you'd like to, or use one of ours.
All ages and all experience levels welcome - from your very first game to players who know their openings by heart.
When is chess Wednesdays on?
Every Wednesday during school term from 4pm to 6pm. Come straight after school or work, or drop in for a game or two.
In the school holidays we start an hour earlier, so the boards are out from 3pm to 6pm on Wednesdays.
There's no cost to come along and play, and we have chess sets ready to go. Snacks and drinks are available to buy.
At our purpose-built hub at 58 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale, in the heart of East Gippsland.
Never played before? No problem!
Chess Wednesdays is for everyone, whether you're learning how the knight moves or you've been playing for years.
Let someone know you're new and the players in the room will walk you through the moves. Everyone started with a first game.
Played a bit at school or online? Come and play across a real board with people who enjoy the game as much as you do.
Chess works across any age, so kids, teens and adults all share the tables. Sometimes the youngest player in the room wins.
Can I use the gaming PCs on Wednesday?
Yes. Gaming PCs can be booked on Wednesdays, but they aren't part of the free chess session. A PC is $15 an hour or $22 for two hours - the same as casual gaming - and you can book your machine ahead.
Can I get support to attend?
Yes. Chess Wednesdays is free for everyone. If you're an NDIS participant and would like support to attend, a support worker can come along with you through Gippsland Care Collective. Your NDIS funding covers that support - the person alongside you, working towards your goals - while the boards are shared with everyone else in the room.
If you're a participant, family member or support coordinator, get in touch and we'll talk through arranging support for Wednesday afternoons.
Chess Wednesdays questions
When is chess on in Bairnsdale?
Every Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm at ESports Collective, 58 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale. In the school holidays it starts earlier, from 3pm to 6pm.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. There's no cost to attend chess Wednesdays. Snacks and drinks are available to buy, and gaming PCs can be booked at the usual rate of $15 an hour or $22 for two hours.
Do I need to bring a chess set?
No. We provide the chess sets, so you can just turn up and play. You're welcome to bring your own set if you'd like to.
Do I need to know how to play?
No. The games are run by the community, and the players who come along are happy to help new people learn. Let someone know you're new and they'll show you how the pieces move.
Who can come along?
Everyone. Chess Wednesdays is open to all ages and all experience levels, so kids, teens and adults share the tables.
Are the gaming PCs free on Wednesdays?
No. The PCs can be booked on Wednesdays but aren't part of the free chess session - they're $15 an hour or $22 for two hours, and you can book a machine ahead.
Can NDIS participants get support to attend?
Yes. Support to attend can be provided by Gippsland Care Collective. NDIS funding covers the support worker who comes along with you; the session itself is free for everyone. Make an NDIS enquiry and we'll help arrange it.
Can I bring a client along as an external support worker?
Yes. Where supports are already in place, we don't see value in switching them up, so support workers from other providers are welcome to bring clients along. We do expect support workers to be involved in the games. If an external support worker doesn't take part and add value for the whole community, we'll ask that they don't attend. Not every support worker wears a uniform, so people in the room can't always tell who is supporting who - which means how any support worker shows up reflects on our own team and our business.
Where is it held?
At our purpose-built gaming hub at 58 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale VIC 3875, in the heart of East Gippsland.
See you Wednesday
Chess every Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm in Bairnsdale, and from 3pm in the school holidays. Free to attend, boards provided. Register once, then sign up for Wednesdays from your account so we know you're coming.
Sign Up for Wednesdays Already Registered? Book From Your Account
or call 0485 835 536