The Kings Head is a great central London club for match play opportunities. We currently run 9 teams, but note that all over the board leagues are suspended for the duration of the coronavirus emergency. For online fixtures in 2021 choose "Fixtures" from the menu. In normal times we run:
| 4 teams in the London League | divisions 1, 2, 4 and 5 | weekday evenings |
| 2 teams in the Middlesex League | divisions 1 and 3 | weekday evenings |
| 2 teams in the Central London League | divisions 2 and 3 | weekday evenings |
| 1 team in the 4 Nations Chess League | division 2 | occasional weekends |
The English Chess Federation grades the results of games played in leagues and tournaments. To play league games for the Kings Head you need to join the ECF as an Individual Member. Full details are on the website Joining the ECF. ECF membership covers the cost of grading your results and qualifies you to play in leagues and (for silver members and above) tournaments.
In 2019-20, ECF membership rates are as follows.
| Bronze membership (league games only) | £18.00 |
| Silver membership (leagues and some tournaments) | £27.00 |
| Gold membership (leagues and all tournaments) | £39.00 |
| Platinum membership (as Gold plus extra benefits) | £75.00 |
In 2019-20 we are planning club nights on the last Monday of each month at the Kings Head, Moscow Road W2 4AH, the pub where the club started. Participants are expected to purchase one or more drinks (alcoholic or not) at the bar. During the league chess season (September to May), members meet pre- and post-match in the Carpenters Arms, 12 Seymour Place, Marylebone, London W1H 7NE (our Middlesex League home venue) and in pubs near other match venues.
There are also occasional sponsored events at the Kings Head.
The Kings Head falls within the sporting county of Middlesex, which currently runs teams in the Open, under 180, under 160, under 140 and under 120 sections. When you join the club, your contact details will be sent (unless you specify otherwise) to the relevant captain, who will invite you to play in County matches. These are usually played on Saturday afternoons. In 2019 Middlesex won the U-160 County Championship (photo top right).