The ECF was formed in 2004 as one of the more localised successors to the British Chess Federation (BCF), an organisation founded in 1904.

In 2004, English chess administrators agreed that it would be factual to replace the BCF with the ECF, a change effective from the start of the 2005/6 season.

The British Chess Championships are run by the ECF, and have been held annually since 1904, apart from during world wars and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

For a yearly flat fee players may become a member of the ECF directly or, since 2005, through a local Membership Organisation (MO).

By invitation, players may also receive support when competing overseas in events of national importance, such as the World Junior Chess Championships.