Hugely successful Oldham-based 3Cs Chess Club honoured to welcome Mayor and Mayoress

The Mayor and Mayoress with former Chadderton school teacher Steve Rigby, who founded 3Cs in 1978 and was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2025 King's New Year's Honours for services to young people in Oldham

3Cs (Children's Chess Club) were not only very honoured to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress to one of their weekly club nights, but were also very delighted that chess - and especially the success of the game in Oldham - was recognised by such a visit.

In fact, in an address the Mayor gave to over 60 members in attendance on the night, he said that 3Cs was one of Oldham's hidden gems and its continued success over many years should be something that the whole town needs to be aware of.

The Mayor continued by praising all those who voluntarily give up their time to organise the club, especially Steve Rigby, who founded 3Cs in 1978 and was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2025 King's New Year's Honours for his services to young people in Oldham for almost half a century.

3Cs itself is generally regarded as the top chess club in Britain, having so far produced 23 British champions and 39 England internationals as well as a Grandmaster, while it they are also current holders of the National Cup (the chess equivalent of the FA Cup) which is competed for by chess clubs throughout the country.

As a remembrance of their visit to 3Cs, the Mayor and Mayoress were presented with a salt and pepper set in the style of King and Queen chess pieces.

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