Asnières – Le Grand Echiquier

♟️ About Asnières – Le Grand Échiquier

Asnières – Le Grand Échiquier is one of France's leading chess clubs, based in Asnières-sur-Seine in the Hauts-de-Seine department of the Paris metropolitan area. Affiliated with the Fédération Française des Échecs under club code M92088, the organization combines elite team chess with a large grassroots program, youth development, adult training, school chess, holiday camps, and major tournament organization. Since the 2025–2026 season, its principal playing venue has been the Maison des Associations at 29 Rue de la Concorde. The club operates at several levels simultaneously. Its strongest players compete in France's top national competitions, while hundreds of other members participate in lessons, internal tournaments, rapid chess, team competition, school programs, and recreational activities. Training is available for children and adults, and the club works with experienced coaches and titled players. Its activities also extend into several Asnières schools, helping introduce chess to younger players outside the traditional club environment. Asnières – Le Grand Échiquier has also developed into a major tournament organizer. Its program ranges from local classical and rapid events to youth competitions, international opens, elite invitational tournaments, and the European Corporate Chess Championship. Jean-Claude Moingt plays a central operational role in these projects as President Delegate, FIDE Master, coach, and tournament director.

📜 History and Development

The roots of Le Grand Échiquier predate its establishment in Asnières-sur-Seine. The organization originally developed as a VIP chess club associated with the Fédération Française des Échecs. Its purpose was to bring together personalities from business, politics, culture, and other fields who shared an interest in chess. After Jean-Claude Moingt left the presidency of the French Chess Federation in 2011, Le Grand Échiquier continued its development in the Yvelines, particularly around Les Pyramides in Port-Marly. The club maintained tournament activity there, including the long-running Grand Prix des Pyramides. The organization established itself in Asnières-sur-Seine in 2015. The move marked the beginning of a period of rapid sporting and organizational growth. By 2018, the first team had reached the highest level of French club competition. Asnières celebrated 10 years of its presence in the city in 2025. That anniversary coincided with another important step in the club's development: the allocation of larger permanent premises at 29 Rue de la Concorde.

🏆 Elite Team Chess and National Titles

Asnières – Le Grand Échiquier has established itself among the strongest chess clubs in France. The club became French Club Champion in 2023, winning the country's premier team championship for the first time. Before that breakthrough, Asnières finished French vice-champion in 2019, 2021, and 2022. The club has therefore remained a regular contender at the highest level rather than experiencing only a single successful season. Its strongest international club result came at the European Club Cup 2022, where Asnières finished fourth. The club continued competing at elite level in 2026. Its first team qualified for the championship pool of the French Top 16 and completed the competition in fourth place.

🏆 Coupe de France

The Coupe de France has been another particularly successful competition for Asnières – Le Grand Échiquier. The club has won the national cup four times:

• 2019
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024

The sequence included three consecutive editions actually played from 2022 through 2024, following the cancellation of the competition during the pandemic years. These results underline the depth of the club's elite roster and its ability to perform successfully in both league and knockout competition.

👩 Women’s Chess

Women's team chess is another important part of the club's competitive identity. Asnières competes at the highest level of the French women's team system and has regularly challenged for national honors. In 2026, the club organized the first phase of the French Top 12 Féminin at Espace Concorde Francis-Delage in Asnières. The event brought together the leading women's club teams in France. Asnières finished second in its preliminary group and qualified for the national semifinals. During the final weekend in Poitiers, the team ultimately secured third place in France, defeating Mulhouse Philidor in a rapid playoff after the classical bronze-medal match finished level. The club's women's program has included leading French and international players and forms an established part of its high-level sporting structure.

🎓 Youth Chess and Training

Youth development is a major part of Asnières – Le Grand Échiquier. The club operates a structured chess school with groups for different ages and playing levels. Regular youth lessons take place during the week and on Saturdays, while stronger juniors can follow additional competitive training. The club also organizes chess camps during school holidays. These programs typically separate participants into introductory and advanced groups and combine lessons, practical play, tournaments, and simultaneous exhibitions. Anatoli Vaisser, Grandmaster and four-time World Senior Champion, regularly contributes to the club's educational program through simultaneous exhibitions and coaching sessions. Jean-Claude Moingt, FIDE Master and former captain of the French national team, is also closely involved in training. The club's youth program has produced notable competitive results. Among them, Boris Kolodziejczyk became French U8 Champion in 2022.

🏫 School and Community Chess

Asnières – Le Grand Échiquier works closely with the City of Asnières-sur-Seine to extend chess beyond the club itself. For the 2026–2027 season, the club operates chess workshops in several schools, including Aulagnier, Flachat, Badinter, and Claudie Haigneré. The organization also stages the Rencontres d’Asnières autour du jeu d’échecs, a large event for primary-school children. The program combines a tournament with introductory chess sessions for beginners and parents. This community work forms an important counterpart to the club's elite competitive program. Asnières therefore operates both as a high-level sporting organization and as a major local chess-development structure.

🏆 Asnières Opens and Trophée Dalkia

The club has developed an increasingly active calendar of FIDE-rated tournaments at its Asnières venue. In May 2026, the club staged the Trophée Dalkia, an international five-round classical Open for players rated below 2300 Elo. The competition took place at the club's new premises at 29 Rue de la Concorde and continued the organization's expansion of rated tournaments at its permanent playing venue. The club also organizes the Open d’été d’Asnières. The second edition takes place from August 28–30, 2026, again at 29 Rue de la Concorde. The tournament is played over five classical Swiss rounds and is FIDE-rated. Jean-Claude Moingt serves as organizer and tournament contact.

🌍 European Corporate Chess Championship

Asnières – Le Grand Échiquier has played an important role in developing chess for the business community. Together with the Fédération Française des Échecs, the club helped create the European Corporate Chess Championship project in 2016. The first competition was held in 2017, bringing corporate teams together in a rapid team-chess format. Asnières later hosted the championship again in 2024 and 2025, and the event returns to the city for another edition on November 27–28, 2026 at Espace Concorde Francis-Delage. The championship operates under the European Chess Union and the Fédération Française des Échecs. Jean-Claude Moingt serves as competition director for the 2026 edition. The project reflects the club's ability to organize events that extend beyond traditional club competition and connect chess with the corporate and professional world.

⚡ Rapid Chess and Club Competition

Rapid chess forms part of the club's regular weekly activity. A permanent tournament is held during the season, while additional rapid and blitz events provide opportunities for members to play short-format competitive chess. Historically, the club has also maintained links with Les Pyramides in Port-Marly, where the Grand Prix des Pyramides developed into a prominent rapid tournament. Internal classical competitions, closed tournaments, team matches, and weekend competitions add further variety to the club calendar. The result is a playing program that offers competition throughout the season rather than concentrating activity around one annual Open.

🏛️ Organization and Governance

Yves Marek is the current President of Asnières – Le Grand Échiquier. Jean-Claude Moingt serves as President Delegate and is the organization's principal operational public contact. A FIDE Master and former captain of the French national team, he is closely involved in coaching, club management, and tournament organization. The current executive committee also includes Jacques Mezon – Vice President, Tahar Saïl – Treasurer, and Redouane Zinou – Secretary. The club's FFE registration remains at 16 Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Asnières-sur-Seine, while its regular chess activity has moved to the larger Maison des Associations premises at 29 Rue de la Concorde.