The Anglian Learning Chess Academy is a partnership between the Linton Chess Club, the Anglian Learning Trust and Sawston Village College. Our aim is to develop strong chessplayers through a combination of coaching and play. We meet on Friday evenings in rooms S1 and S2 (science block) at Sawston Village College from 6.30pm to 8.25pm. In the autumn term of 2026 the Academy resumes on Friday 11 September.
We accept students from Year 5 upwards and is free. We aim to enable players who have mastered the basics to develop their potential by playing against increasingly strong opposition. You will play in groups with similar ability, and this will supplemented by coaching in small groups and playing in competitions, both within the Academy and the Cambridge Schools League. It is not suitable for beginners or those looking to learn how to play.
The Academy is run by a small team of experienced chessplayers from Linton Chess Club, namely Paul McMahon, Alan Richardson, James Cole, Nathan Weersing, Paolo di Fruscia, Stuart Jeffreys and Paul Kemp, with Mauricio Varea running the Schools League teams. Depending on age and ability some players will progress to membership of an adult club. But whatever your aims we hope you will develop the skills to enjoy an increasingly popular game.
Further details are on the accompanying pages and also the News page on the main website. You can register to join through this link https://sawstonvc.org/clubs-and-activities/chess-academy/ Choose Chess Academy from the list on the left and complete the registration form at the foot of the page. If you have any difficulties or questions please contact Paul McMahon at paul.mcmahon158@btinternet.com