About The Reading Chess Ladder

Chess In Reading is a community-driven platform for over-the-board chess players in Reading, UK.

Players register with a Glicko-1 rating, challenge opponents within their skill range, and climb the Ladder by winning games. All results are confirmed by both players to keep things fair.

How it works:

Sign up with your email and choose a starting rating
Challenge players within ±500 rating points
Play your game over the board, then record the result
Your opponent confirms and both ratings update instantly

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, everyone is welcome on the Ladder.

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Enter your email and/or your mobile below and we'll let you know when we're live. If you add your mobile, indicate whether you prefer text or WhatsApp. Thanks!

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Thanks for your interest in Chess In Reading. We'll let you know as soon as we go live.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Chess In Reading

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The Reading Ladder

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Contact Us

Send a message to the Chess In Reading team. We'll try and get back to you within 24 hours. Include your phone number if you'd like us to text or WhatsApp.

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Items marked (*) are mandatory

Private Data

For admin purposes only. Never shared with or visible to other users in the app. Absolutely never shared with any 3rd parties.

First Name ^(*)

Last Name ^(*)

Mobile For text/WhatsApp alerts to challenges, game cancellations etc

Public Data

Visible to other users.

Display Name ^(*)

ELO Ranking

Set your starting ELO ranking. If you have a chess.com Rapid ranking, this is a good indicator. Otherwise, follow these guidelines:

Very rarely blunder = 1200
Rarely blunder = 1000
Occasionally blunder = 800
Frequently blunder = 600

Don't worry about getting this exactly right. As you play games, your ranking will find its proper level.

Quick Log-In (optional)

Set up a fast way to log in next time. You can choose one or skip this and set it up later in your Profile.

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I accept the Terms & Conditions ^(*)

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Set Your Password

Choose a password for your Chess In Reading account. Passwords require at least 8 characters.

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Welcome to Chess In Reading!

You have been added to the Ladder but not the League.

Head over to My Profile if you would like to leave the Ladder or join the League.

Match Details

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Time

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Notes (optional)

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Game Cancelled

Consider messaging your opponent to let them know why you cancelled.

Delete Message

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Cancel Match

Are you sure you want to cancel this match? You should contact your opponent to let them know why.

Your match has been cancelled

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Submit Result

Result

Are you sure?

If you reject the result, the record will be permanently deleted and ratings/league standings will be reversed. This cannot be undone.

If you believe the result is wrong, consider talking with your opponent before rejecting.

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Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 5 March 2026

By creating an account on Chess In Reading you agree to the following terms.

1. About the Service

Chess In Reading is a free, non-commercial platform run by volunteers. It exists to help chess players in Reading, UK find opponents and arrange over-the-board games.

2. Age Requirement

This service is intended for users aged 18 and over. By creating an account, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under the age of 18. If we become aware that an account has been created by a person under 18, we will delete that account and all associated data without notice.

3. No Warranty

The service is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We are enthusiastic amateurs, not a company. We do not guarantee that the platform will be available, error-free, or uninterrupted.

4. Limitation of Liability

We do not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, injury, or harm — whether direct, indirect, or consequential — arising from your use of this service. This includes, but is not limited to, meetings arranged through the platform, inaccuracies in ratings or results, and loss of data.

5. Your Responsibility

You are responsible for your own safety when arranging and attending games. You should meet in public places and take the same precautions you would for any in-person meeting with someone you do not know well.

6. Conduct

You agree to behave respectfully toward other players. Abusive, threatening, or dishonest behaviour (including deliberate misreporting of results) may result in your account being suspended or removed without notice.

7. Your Data

We store your email address, display name, rating, game results, and availability preferences. This information is visible to other registered users. We do not sell or share your data with third parties. You may request deletion of your account and data at any time by contacting an administrator.

8. Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Continued use of the service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

9. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Add Venue

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Name

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Description

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Website

Add Club

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Description

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Meeting Place

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Meeting Time(s)

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Contact Name

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Contact Email

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Contact Phone

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Schedule Game

Schedule a game you've already agreed with an opponent — no challenge needed.

Opponent

Date

Time

Location

Notes (optional)

Record Result

Record a game that has already been played. Your opponent will need to confirm the result.

Opponent

Date Played

Location (optional)

Result

The result deadline has expired

Results must be submitted within 6 days of the game being played.

A new game record will be created

Chess Challenge

Opponent

Cancel Challenge

This will delete the challenge completely. If you are sure, consider messaging your opponent to explain why.

No messages yet.

Add FAQ Item

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Parent Item

Question

Answer (HTML)

Challenging an Opponent

First use the messaging tool to propose and agree the details of the match with your opponent: date, time, place and whether they agree with your proposed rules.

When you are agreed, click "Schedule" and you can schedule the game in the system. You'll both get an email invite.

If you've already agreed these details offline, just go straight to "Schedule" to setup the game.

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Leaving The League

Leaving the League mid-season affects the experience for other players in your Group.

Do you need to leave immediately or could you finish this season first?

Joining the League - Important

If you join the League, you are committing to playing 4 games every 6 weeks or so.

If you miss games, it spoils the enjoyment of the League for everyone else. You should make every effort to play all your games and only forfeit games on an exceptional basis

Please only join if you are willing to commit to this.

You're on the waiting list to join the League!

You can see the League waiting list and joining rules at the bottom of the League page.

Auto-Swap Preferences

You'll be added to the waiting list to join the League. If a spot opens up in a group during the season, would you like to be automatically placed into that group?

Select which group tiers you'd accept:

Friends Not Available

'Friends' allows you to remove restrictions on other players challenging you. You can choose the players to which this applies.

This feature is only available to players who have already completed 20 games or more.

Challenges still blocked

Other players still cannot challenge you. To turn off this option go to Profile > Profile.

Challenge Sent

When you are agreed, either player can schedule the game in My Games.

PIN Locked

Too many failed PIN attempts. PIN login is locked for 15 minutes. Please use email and password or try again later.

Welcome to Preview mode

Only limited features are available in Preview mode. All player data is fictitious and for illustrative purposes only.

The site is still being finalised and some things may not function as expected. Please use Contact to feedback any issues.

Create Player Account

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This player will no longer be visible when creating Challenges, scheduling Games or recording Results.

Are you sure?

The League season has not been completed yet. This will reset everything to zero for a new season, and all players will lose their results and standings.

Type YES into the box below and click 'Proceed' if you are sure.

Archive & Start New Season

The current season's standings and results will be archived. Players will be rearranged into groups for the new season based on their final rankings.

New Season Name

Players Per Group

Season Start Date

Season End Date

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Fun and friendlysocial chessin Reading

About The Reading Chess Ladder

Alert me when you go live!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Log In

Messages

The Reading Ladder

My Games

Active Games

Game History

My Profile

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My Favorite Venues

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Waiting List

Waiting List Change Log

Season Management

Data Export

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Archive

Waiting List

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The Reading League

Blog & News

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Where to play Chess in Reading

Chess Clubs In Reading

Your Email

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ELO Ranking

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Set Your Password

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Welcome to Chess In Reading!

Match Details

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Game Cancelled

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Cancel Match

Your match has been cancelled

Submit Result

Confirm Result

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Archive this game?

Archive cancelled game?

Terms & Conditions

1. About the Service

2. Age Requirement

3. No Warranty

4. Limitation of Liability

Fun and friendly
social chess
in Reading