About Us

The Bradford Knights Chess Academy was formed in 2012 by a group of local chess players who want to offer the children of Bradford the opportunity to learn about the game of chess in a safe and friendly environment.

Learning the game of Chess can have many positive educational, social and behavioural effects on a child. Indeed there are many recent studies that have shown the positive effects on children’s cognitive, problem solving and mathematical skills. The game also teaches children the importance of concentration, strategic planning and tactical thinking.

Chess Strategy

Our team of coaches run a structured training programme to teach children who join the club firstly about the basics of the game, and as their abilities develop we move on to more complex elements of Chess.

If your child would like to join the club then please contact us via our Contacts  page or come along to one of our scheduled training sessions which can be found on the Calendar page.

Our coaching team includes:

Andrew Wainwright (Academy President): Andrew is a parent of two and well known local player who has run a number of teams and clubs in Yorkshire. He learned the game of Chess at an early age and has taught many upcoming players over the years.
Winston Williams (Senior Coach): Winston is an Accredited English Chess Federation Coach and has taught many juniors both in Bradford and further afield. Winston is a strong player and has competed at a high level both in England and abroad.
Ihor Lewyk (Senior Coach): Ihor is a well known chess player, organiser and arbiter in the Yorkshire Region. He is currently President of the Yorkshire Chess Association and has extensive experience of teaching children the game of Chess. Ihor is also the captain of four nations chess league (4NCL) White Rose side who have qualified to competed in the European Club Cup three years running.
Andrew Bak (Coach): Andrew is a well known former junior player in Yorkshire and plays the game at both local, county and national level (in the 4NCL league). Andrew writes regular chess articles for the Yorkshire Chess Association website. He also captains a team of talented juniors in the Yorkshire chess league’s premier division, the Woodhouse Cup.
Matthew Webb (Coach): Matthew is also a well known former junior talent from Yorkshire who has competed recently in a number of international tournaments in Europe and the USA whilst on a gap year. Matthew is the chief editor of the Yorkshire Chess Association website, contributing to many interesting and unique chess promotions within Yorkshire.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

(Last Updated: 23 April 2012)

The Bradford Knights Chess Academy (the “Academy”) takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of the children who take part in activities organised by the Academy.

The Academy is committed to:

  • taking into account in all activities the interests and well-being of children;
  • respecting the rights, wishes and feelings of the children with whom it is working;
  • taking all reasonable practicable steps to protect them from harm; and
  • promoting the welfare of children within a relationship of trust.

To this end please note:

      1. Those who run events organised by the Academy have regular CRB checks.
      2. Academy coaches are expected to refer all disciplinary matters immediately to a child’s parent and/or guardian when dealing with unruly behaviour. This is both for the protection of the coach and of the children. If a parent and/or guardian is not present at the time of such unruly behaviour then it shall be reported to the parent and/or guardian when they collect the child.
      3. Academy coaches should refrain from physical contact with any child at Academy organised events. This can be difficult when some younger children are by nature tactile or possibly upset and where the coach must use their judgment accordingly. Coaches will report any incident or concern in such regard to the child’s parent and/or guardian immediately afterwards for their own protection.
      4. Academy coaches are expected to be well presented and professional whilst teaching at events organised by the Academy.
      5. Academy coaches shall not place themselves in a 1-2-1 situation with a child. Generally, Academy coaches will be in a group supervised situation and therefore should not be in a one-to-one situation with any child. Should circumstances arise where a coach is left on their own with a single child, then the coach should seek to move themselves and the child to an area where they are with or close to other people as soon as is possible.
      6. In the event of Academy coaches transporting children between venues, adults should do all they can to ensure they are not left alone in a car with a single child. Prior authorisation from a parent and/or guardian allowing such transport must be obtained. Any drivers must ensure they have the necessary insurance, MOT and seating safety requirements before agreeing to transport children in their vehicles.
      7. In the event of a complaint being made by a parent and/or guardian against a coach, the Academy will decide whether or not it is appropriate for that coach to continue teaching under the Academy. If appropriate and if the parent and/or guardian requests, that coach will be temporarily suspended whilst the incident is being investigated. In the event of a serious complaint being made which the Academy feels is outside of its remit to investigate, then the police will be always be asked to deal with the matter and the Academy will work with the police to ensure that the investigation is thoroughly and accurately carried out.
      8. If the Academy decides that an internal investigation is appropriate (this does not prevent parents and/or guardians choosing to take the matter further should they feel it appropriate), then it will seek to obtain all of the facts from all of the parties involved to bring the matter to a conclusion as quickly as reasonably possible.
      9. The Academy will take seriously any complaint made against a coach and will seek to act quickly to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion as this is in everyone’s interests. Any complaints made should be directed to Andrew Wainwright as President of the Academy, unless the complaint has been made against him, in which case it should be directed to Ihor Lewyk as Senior Academy coach.
      10. The Academy does not tolerate bullying and will also look into complaints of bullying or mis-treatment by other competitors or individuals attending one of its events. However, it must be noted that where issues relate to the actual playing of chess the Laws of Chess may be the relevant documentation to refer to when making judgment and in some cases, the Laws of Chess will be used to resolve the issue.
      11. When attending events run by third parties the Academy will do all that is reasonably possible to protect young people who play chess in events with adults, but as entry in such events may be open to anyone the Academy cannot ensure the integrity of everyone taking part.