3Cs Chess Club
2205. Steve Rigby
Steve Rigby, from Oldham, is a retired teacher and passionate chess player who has encouraged hundreds of children to play chess through his chess club ‘3Cs’.
Steve wanted to set up a central point for young players to meet and receive coaching, while also promoting and developing chess in Oldham Primary Schools and the surrounding districts. He founded ‘3Cs’ in 1978, and the club has since expanded, now attracting up to 50 young people to the weekly coaching nights run by Steve. Any young person is welcome, and the club also has adult members who help support the young players. In addition, ‘3Cs’ have two online clubs that can be accessed through “chess.com” and “lichess.org.”
This year, Steve is celebrating the 45th anniversary of the club, which has been recognised multiple times by the English Chess Federation as club of the year and also won the National Club Championships earlier this year. He has also established a new chess club, ‘Welshpool Chess Club’ for people of all ages to learn and play chess socially, and is working with the local ‘u3a’ (University of the Third Age) to encourage retired people to become involved in learning chess.
Steve said:
“I am flattered to receive this award on behalf of the ‘3Cs chess club’ and everyone who has been so supportive over the many years. As with all such award winners, any individual can only be as good as the team behind them and I have been very fortunate to have such equally-dedicated people to assist me. I am also very grateful to the Prime Minister in showing his support for the game of chess and acknowledging it with such a prestigious national award.”
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