Les Tours Infernales – C.E. de Saint-Just

♟️ About Les Tours Infernales – C.E. de Saint-Just

Les Tours Infernales – C.E. de Saint-Just is a chess club based in Saint-Just-en-Chaussée, Oise, France. The club affiliates with the Fédération Française des Échecs (FFE) under code Y60017. It brings together recreational players, tournament competitors, adults, and juniors through regular training, rated competition, team chess, and open tournaments. The chess section operates within ACLES, a local association covering cultural, leisure, and sporting activities. The Municipality of Saint-Just-en-Chaussée records the creation of the ACLES chess section, named Les Tours Infernales, in 1999. Since then, the club has developed a regular playing program at the Centre Socio-Culturel on rue Foch. Gervais Maupin currently serves as President and principal club contact. The FFE also lists him as both president and official contact for C.E. de St Just – Les Tours Infernales. Moreover, Maupin directly organizes several of the club’s rated events, including the annual Saint-Just rapid tournament.

🏆 Saint-Just Rapid Tournament and Competitive Activity

The club organizes the long-running Tournoi Rapide de Saint-Just-en-Chaussée, one of its principal annual events. The competition reaches its 16th edition in 2026. The 16e Tournoi Rapide de Saint-Just-en-Chaussée takes place on October 4, 2026, at the Salle des Fêtes on Place René Benoist. Players compete over nine Swiss-system rounds at a time control of 10 minutes plus five seconds per move. In addition, the tournament receives both French and FIDE rapid rating. The event also serves as the Oise Rapid Chess Championship. The 2026 edition offers at least €900 in prizes, with awards for the overall standings and several age, rating, and special categories. Gervais Maupin serves as organizer, while International Arbiter Emmanuel Variniac acts as chief arbiter. Participation has grown strongly. The 15th edition in 2025 attracted a record 102 players, including competitors from several French departments. Therefore, the tournament has become a substantial annual meeting point for rapid chess in the Oise area.

⚡ Blitz Chess and Departmental Championships

Les Tours Infernales also organizes FIDE-rated blitz competition. In June 2026, the club held its 2nd Saint-Just Blitz Tournament, which simultaneously served as the Oise Blitz Championship. The event attracted 56 players from 21 clubs, including 25 competitors under the age of 20. Players completed 13 rounds at a time control of three minutes plus two seconds per move. Club player Wilfried Dehesdin finished fourth overall and retained the Oise blitz championship title. Meanwhile, Valérie Maupin also scored nine points and finished among the leading players. The club works with the Comité Départemental du Jeu d’Échecs de l’Oise for major departmental competitions. In addition, the Municipality of Saint-Just-en-Chaussée supports events by providing playing facilities.

♜ Team Chess and Federation Competition

Team chess forms an important part of the club’s activity. The FFE currently lists Saint-Just-en-Chaussée in Nationale 3 adult interclub competition. The club has also fielded additional teams at lower national and regional levels. Consequently, members with different ratings can gain experience in formal team matches. Youth players participate in regional team competition as well. The club has previously fielded multiple junior teams, including teams competing in national youth divisions. This structure allows younger members to progress from weekly instruction into organized team chess. Moreover, club members regularly enter individual tournaments throughout northern France. The club website follows their results and publishes reports from rapid, classical, blitz, and youth competitions.

🎓 Youth Chess and Player Development

Youth training forms a core part of Les Tours Infernales. The Municipality of Saint-Just-en-Chaussée confirms that a qualified chess instructor supports the club’s junior development program. Regular training takes place on Fridays and Saturdays. In addition, dedicated chess lessons take place on Saturday afternoons at the Centre Socio-Culturel. Young members compete in Oise youth championships and regional qualification events. For example, club juniors have won departmental titles in several age categories. Therefore, the training program provides a direct route from introductory chess to official championship competition. The club also keeps membership costs relatively accessible and offers both recreational and competitive federation licences. As a result, beginners can join for casual chess while ambitious players can move into rated tournaments and team events.

🤝 Club Life and Local Chess Community

Les Tours Infernales welcomes players of different ages and levels. Regular sessions take place on Friday evenings from 20:00 and on Saturdays from 15:00 to 18:30. Experienced members share their chess knowledge with developing players, while tournament competitors use club sessions for practice and preparation. Meanwhile, recreational members can play informal games without needing to participate in regular competition. The FFE currently records 29 Licence A members and 33 Licence B members at the club. Therefore, Les Tours Infernales combines a compact local-club atmosphere with active participation in federation tournaments and leagues.