Etobicoke Free Chess Club

Club is learning as it goes and wants to be accessible to everyone, you can always find someone at your level. Some members at club make time to train others, which is great for first timers whom are more comfortable at a coffee shop. There are donation calls (similar to a pass the plate system), organizer takes more care to emphasize they are not mandatory now, and more to the level of value repeat members feel they are getting. Crowd is more social and sometimes go out to eat after.
9 years ago (05-11-2017)

NOT FREE CHESS. I thought I would try this chess club out so I went there last month when I was in town visiting family. Attendance was poor. I soon realized why. They call it "Free Chess" and go out of their way to advertise it as such, however, they then ask for donations and put you on the spot with this box to collect money in front of your face. This is not free chess. The fact that you call it a donation is joke. This is really a user fee. You put people on the spot with this kind of tactic and make people feel obliged to contribute. People would be more comfortable if you left the donation box in the corner instead of making a big announcement that you are going to collect money from them. You say no pressure but what do you expect people to feel when you shove the box in front of their face. This is not free chess, regardless of if you call it such. People don't want to be harassed for money when you call it free. This is a bait and switch tactic. Charge a membership fee and leave people alone instead. DON'T CALL IT FREE CHESS. This was the first and last time I will come here when I am in town.
9 years ago (27-09-2017)

My club isn't perfect, but my Co-Directors and I are doing our best to ensure we do something meaningful and sustainable for our community. We ask for donations at around 830 every day, but they arent mandatory. Some people don't like that, but most don't seem to mind. I like the Etobicoke Chess Club, but I also run the Etobicoke Chess club, so I'm biased. Come out and see for yourself :-)
9 years ago (06-01-2018)

Friendly atmosphere; great chance to play some casual intermediate to advanced level games. Highly recommended!
9 years ago (17-05-2017)

A-w-e-s-o-m-e You meet beginner/intermediate/expert chess player, play chess and have a great time.
9 years ago (15-05-2017)