The club & its name
'Mutual' was founded in 1920 by Tom Bladon. At that time the club had no permanent venue in which to hold its meetings. For this reason the founding members decided to organize a rota whereby chess was played alternately at their various homes. This is how Mutual Circle got its strange name! Mutual Circle has been an active member of the Birmingham & District Chess League since 1923.
We currently have about 20 members who range in age from 13 to over 80. A list of our members and their chess gradings can be found elsewhere on this web-site. Members can choose to play 'friendly' chess games at the club and/or to compete more formally in various inter-club competitions (see below).
We welcome new members but we do not currently have the facilities to provide tuition for complete beginners or for young children. More information about club membership can be found towards the bottom of this page.
League Matches
In 2023/24 we shall be running three teams in the Birmingham & District Chess League ('BDCL' - https://www.birminghamchess.org.uk/ ) in Divisions 1, 3, and 5. We shall also probably be entering teams in the BDCL's 2024 Summer Rapidplay League.
In 2019/20 our first team gained promotion to Division 1 of the BDCL - for the first time since 1987! Sadly the 2020/21 chess season was cancelled due to the Coronavirus crisis, but on resumption of over-the-board chess in the 2021/22 season the first team were able to obtain a mid-table finish - quite an achievement after 30 years outside of the top flight!
Our second team had an immensely successful season becoming champions of division 4 and gaining promotion to division 3 for the next season.
Our third team also secured a mid-table finish, including a victory over second placed Longbridge and some excellent individual performances.
In 2022/23 we entered teams into Divisions 1 and 3 of the BDCL. Our 1st team improved on the previous season and finished in 4th place in Division 1. Our 2nd team only managed 8th place in Division 3 but reached the semi-finals of the Terrill Knock-out Cup competition. We also entered three teams in the BDCL Rapidplay Summer League. Our 2nd and 3rd teams both finished in 4th place in their respective divisions; our 1st team ended up 5th.
Venue and times
From May 2023 the Club will meet mainly on Tuesday evenings at our new venue in the Jewellery Quarter area of Birmingham:
The Jeweller's Arms, 23 Hockley Street, Birmingham, B18 6BW
We open around 7.15pm, but inter-club matches normally begin at 7.30pm. We generally meet from September to May, but a few extra sessions may be held in June and July and August.
Our club-room is on the 1st floor (up steep stairs). Regrettably there is no access for wheelchair users or for people with severe walking difficulties. Refreshments are available in the bar downstairs. The pub specialises in real ales.
After 6.00 p.m. free car parking is usually available in nearby streets.
Membership Information
New members are very welcome - just drop in or contact Chris (see 'Contact' on Menu bar).
The Club's normal membership subscription is currently £20 per year. Membership is free for children of school age. Full-time students and people in receipt of state benefits or the state retirement pension can pay a discounted rate of £10. (Pro rata payment arrangements can be made for those who join mid-season). Players who regularly take part in League matches will also need to join the English Chess Federation (ECF) at 'Bronze' level or above: 'Bronze' ECF membership is currently £18 per year for adults, £6 for juniors.
Prospective club members are encouraged to come along to a few club-nights before deciding whether to join. Newcomers should check with our secretary, Chris, before turning up as there will be some Tuesdays when the club does not meet.
'Mutual' was founded in 1920 by Tom Bladon. At that time the club had no permanent venue in which to hold its meetings. For this reason the founding members decided to organize a rota whereby chess was played alternately at their various homes. This is how Mutual Circle got its strange name! Mutual Circle has been an active member of the Birmingham & District Chess League since 1923.
We currently have about 20 members who range in age from 13 to over 80. A list of our members and their chess gradings can be found elsewhere on this web-site. Members can choose to play 'friendly' chess games at the club and/or to compete more formally in various inter-club competitions (see below).
We welcome new members but we do not currently have the facilities to provide tuition for complete beginners or for young children. More information about club membership can be found towards the bottom of this page.
League Matches
In 2023/24 we shall be running three teams in the Birmingham & District Chess League ('BDCL' - https://www.birminghamchess.org.uk/ ) in Divisions 1, 3, and 5. We shall also probably be entering teams in the BDCL's 2024 Summer Rapidplay League.
In 2019/20 our first team gained promotion to Division 1 of the BDCL - for the first time since 1987! Sadly the 2020/21 chess season was cancelled due to the Coronavirus crisis, but on resumption of over-the-board chess in the 2021/22 season the first team were able to obtain a mid-table finish - quite an achievement after 30 years outside of the top flight!
Our second team had an immensely successful season becoming champions of division 4 and gaining promotion to division 3 for the next season.
Our third team also secured a mid-table finish, including a victory over second placed Longbridge and some excellent individual performances.
In 2022/23 we entered teams into Divisions 1 and 3 of the BDCL. Our 1st team improved on the previous season and finished in 4th place in Division 1. Our 2nd team only managed 8th place in Division 3 but reached the semi-finals of the Terrill Knock-out Cup competition. We also entered three teams in the BDCL Rapidplay Summer League. Our 2nd and 3rd teams both finished in 4th place in their respective divisions; our 1st team ended up 5th.
Venue and times
From May 2023 the Club will meet mainly on Tuesday evenings at our new venue in the Jewellery Quarter area of Birmingham:
The Jeweller's Arms, 23 Hockley Street, Birmingham, B18 6BW
We open around 7.15pm, but inter-club matches normally begin at 7.30pm. We generally meet from September to May, but a few extra sessions may be held in June and July and August.
Our club-room is on the 1st floor (up steep stairs). Regrettably there is no access for wheelchair users or for people with severe walking difficulties. Refreshments are available in the bar downstairs. The pub specialises in real ales.
After 6.00 p.m. free car parking is usually available in nearby streets.
Membership Information
New members are very welcome - just drop in or contact Chris (see 'Contact' on Menu bar).
The Club's normal membership subscription is currently £20 per year. Membership is free for children of school age. Full-time students and people in receipt of state benefits or the state retirement pension can pay a discounted rate of £10. (Pro rata payment arrangements can be made for those who join mid-season). Players who regularly take part in League matches will also need to join the English Chess Federation (ECF) at 'Bronze' level or above: 'Bronze' ECF membership is currently £18 per year for adults, £6 for juniors.
Prospective club members are encouraged to come along to a few club-nights before deciding whether to join. Newcomers should check with our secretary, Chris, before turning up as there will be some Tuesdays when the club does not meet.