Over the past few months, things have been moving at lightning speed. It all began when Kingston Chess Club — a cornerstone of local chess established way back in 1895 — approached us with an incredible invitation: they asked us to step in and power their brand-new junior chess section!
As the founder of Jolly Good Chess, I was deeply honoured by the opportunity to help build a bridge between the club's incredible 130-year legacy and the next generation of young players. However, turning a big vision into a weekly reality takes a mountain of behind-the-scenes work — and I am so excited to share that our new website and booking system are officially live!
Here is a look at how we got to this milestone.
A Little Bit About Me
Hi, I'm Jo Briscoe (or Mrs Briscoe to the children!).
You could say chess is strictly in my blood. I'm a second-generation chess teacher who was raised in a proper chess family — my late father was the chairman of Surbiton Chess Club for over 50 years! To keep the tradition going, I ended up marrying a FIDE Master and professional chess coach, Chris Briscoe. He's going to be the lead coach at the club, so between the two of us, our household is a proper chess headquarters!
By day, I teach chess in private schools, helping young minds discover how exciting and rewarding the game can be. As the founder of Jolly Good Chess, my mission is to build friendly, high-quality chess spaces where young players of all abilities can thrive, build confidence, and make lifelong friends.
Fun Fact: With two chess teachers under one roof, our kitchen table rarely sees actual meals — it's almost perpetually covered in chess boards, tournament clocks, and half-analysed endgame positions!
1. The Venue Walkthrough: Mapping Out the Space
One of the biggest moments of the last few months was taking our official venue walkthrough. Stepping into the hall was the exact moment this project moved out of email threads and started feeling completely real.
I spent time walking the floor, testing the lighting, checking table spacing, and planning the overall layout. When setting up a club specifically for junior players, every detail matters. I wanted to ensure there is plenty of room between boards for our coaches to move freely, comfortable seating for games, and a warm, welcoming area for parents to relax while the sessions are underway.
2. Emails, Logistics, and Safeguarding
Behind every smooth club night is a tremendous amount of admin. My inbox has been buzzing non-stop for months as we coordinated venue logistics, finalized session timings, and established robust safety and safeguarding protocols to ensure every young player is supported in a secure, encouraging environment.
3. Designing the Website & Booking System
While the venue was being prepped, my main focus was building our digital home. I wanted to design a website that felt bright and inspiring for young chess enthusiasts, while remaining clean, clear, and effortless for busy parents.
I know how precious family time is, so I built up the booking system with simplicity in mind. Parents can now view schedules, learn about our sessions, and reserve a board for their child in under 30 seconds — no endless forms or confusing sign-up steps.
The Doors Are (Virtually) Open!
Building this out over the past few months has been a proper adventure, but seeing the website go live today makes every late-night email chain completely worth it.
Stepping in to power the junior section for a club with over 130 years of history is a privilege I don't take lightly. I can't wait to see the hall filled with concentration, great tactics, and new friendships as our young grandmasters take to the boards.
Ready to reserve a board? Head over to our brand-new booking page to explore session details and secure your child's spot for our debut sessions!
