National, International & State Organizations
& Local Chess Clubs
This page will list national & international governing chess federations along with state associations & local chess clubs. If your club is not listed & you'd like it to be, please contact the WCC at: WachusettChessClubGames@comcast.net
Typically, national & international organizations have their own rating systems, govern title challenge match schedules, title contender selection processes & sanction large tournaments. Depending on the particular federation they may also publish periodicals & manage publicity for members as well as promote chess in general. Most of these federations maintain official web sites for advertising, publicity, & to communicate with their membership & the greater chess world. Where available, we will provide links to many of these web sites.
Local chess clubs listed here are located in Massachusetts & surrounding states. Most are USCF affiliates & as such provide opportunities for regular rated games on their respective meeting nights/days. The information provided here is primarily intended for quick reference purposes & is not intended to be complete & may or may not be current when you read this, so if you're thinking of visiting one of these clubs, please call ahead to verify details such as time, location, type of play, etc. Clubs with active web sites usually post contact info there.
♚ FIDE ♛
"Federation Iternational D'Echecs"
- The Official Iternational Governing Federation of Chess
- Presiding Body of World Chess Championship Matches
- Official International Titles
- Official International Rating System
Most international chess tournaments are organized & operated under FIDE Rules & rated using the FIDE Rating System. FIDE sanctioned & FIDE rated events may also be run by FIDE affiliated associations under FIDE Rules & guidelines. Participation in these events may also be sanctioned under the USCF Rules & as such, may be both nationally & internationally rated.
♔ USCF ♕
"United States Chess Federation"
- The Official Governing Federation of Chess in the United States
- Presiding Body of US National Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- Official National Titles
- Official National Rating System
- Many State & Local Affiliates
- Monthly Magazine by Subscription or Membership
The vast majority of chess tournaments in the US are organized & operated under USCF Rules & rated using the USCF Rating System. The USCF also has many affiliated organizations which include state & regional associations as well as local chess. These affiliated clubs & associations may run a wide variety of USCF rated events. Participation in these events is sanctioned under the USCF Rules & as such, may be nationally rated.
♖ MACA ♖
"Massachusetts Chess Association"
- Presiding Body of Massachusetts Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- Local Affiliates
- Hardcopy Magazine by Subscription or Membership
- Chess Horizons Online
- USCF Affiliate
MACA is the governing body of chess in Massachusetts & has many affiliated clubs. These affiliates may manage a wide variety of USCF rated events including annual tournaments such as the Mass Open, New England Open, & Harry Nelson Pillsbury Memorial as well as The Barry Spiegel Cup Scholastic Tournaments. MACA events are sanctioned under the USCF Rules & as such, may be nationally rated. MACA membership or other state organization membership is usually required for participation in these tournaments.
♜ NHCA ♜
"New Hampshire Chess Association"
- Presiding Body of New hampshire Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- Many Local Affiliates
- Sponsors of Major NH Tournaments: Queen City Open, NH Open & NH Amateur Championship
- USCF Affiliate
NHCA membership is an acceptable substitute for MACA membership as required for participation in MACA sanctioned events.
♝ RICA ♝
"Rhode Island Chess Association"
- Presiding Body of Rhode Island Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- Sponsor of Rhode Island Scholastic State Chess Championship Tournaments
- Sponsor of both open & invitational tournaments
- Local Affiliates
- Rhode Island Bughouse Tournaments
- "Play chess at your local library for free!"
- USCF Affiliate
RI Chess Association membership is an acceptable substitute for MACA membership as required for participation in MACA sanctioned events.
♘ CSCA ♘
"Connecticut State Chess Association"
- Presiding Body of Connecticut Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- Sponsor of both open & invitational tournaments
- Local Affiliates
- USCF Affiliate
- Connecticut Residency NOT required for CSCA Membership
- Annual Membership Dues $5
"Membership in the CSCA is open (you don't even have to be a Connecticut resident). The only requirement is a $5 yearly contribution, which (as it is applied to crucial operating expenses) helps sustain state-level resources, events and promotions, and secures national representation for area chessplayers." -CSCA
♞ NYSCA ♞
"New York State Chess Association"
- Presiding Body of New York Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- Many Local Affiliates
- Sponsor of New York Scholastic State Chess Championship Tournaments
- Sponsor of both open & invitational tournaments
- NYSCA holds America's longest-running chess tournament, the New York State Championship
- Quarterly Online Magazine "Empire Chess"
- Printed version of "Empire Chess" by Subscription
- New York State Chess Hall of Fame
"The New York State Chess Association (NYSCA) has promoted chess in the Empire State for almost 150 years. Holding tournaments and other chess events from Montauk to Niagara, NYSCA holds America's longest-running chess tournament, the New York State Championship, along with its longest-running state scholastic tournament and other New York State Championship competitions. Membership is available through the officers." -NYCSA
♙ Vermont ♙
"Vermont CHESS Information Website"
- Statewide Open Tournaments
- Scholastic Events
- Links to More Than 20 Vermont Chess Clubs on Web Stie
- Subscriber Mailing List
Description of Vermont State Association.
♕ CFC ♕
"Canadian Federation of Chess"
- The Official Governing Federation of Chess in the Canada
- Presiding Body of Canadian National Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- Official National Titles
- Official National Rating System
- Many Provincial & Local Affiliates
The vast majority of chess tournaments in Canada are organized & operated under CFC Rules & rated using the CFC Rating System, which though similar, differs from the USCF rating system.
♕ ECF ♕
"English Chess Federation"
- The Official Governing Federation of Chess in the UK (formerly "British Chess Federtion")
- Presiding Body of British National Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- Official National Titles
- Official National Rating System (significantly different from USCF/FIDE)/li>
- Many Provincial & Local Affiliates
The vast majority of chess tournaments in The UK are organized & operated under ECF Rules & rated using the ECF Rating(Grading) System, which differs significantly from the USCF rating system. For example, GM Luke McShane, whose FIDE Rating is 2672, currently has an EFC Rating of a whopping 263! I've heard tell that an ECF Rating of around 150 is what we'd call a class A player in the US.
♕ CCA ♕
"Continental Chess Association"
- Sponsor of many national tournaments:
- Eastern Class Championship, Bradley Open, Foxwoods Open, Hartford Open
- World Open, Boston Chess Congress, Philadelphia Open, etc.
- Owned by FM Bill Goichberg former (2005) USCF President
- First to ban smoking from chess tournaments (1973)
- Also Famous for Legal battle with USCF
The Continental Chess Association runs several national tournaments each year as well as many smaller events.
♗ Maine ♗
"Chess Maine"
- Open & Invitational Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- USCF Rated Events
Regardless of how you may feel about Maine, you have to admit that they have the coolest State Chess Logo ever!
♟ Relya Chess ♟
"Relya Chess"
- Open & Invitational Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- USCF & FIDE Rated Events
- 2014 National Junior Girls' Invitational
A New Hampshire chess organization operated by Alex Relya & Nita Patel.
♟ Western Mass Chess Association ♟
"Western Mass Chess Association"
- "The Skittles Room" Official publication
- USCF Affiliate
- Organizer of USCF rated events
A Massachusetts chess organization serving the western parts of the state & Conneccticut Valley.
♔ Boylston Chess Club ♕
"Boylston Chess Club"
- Regular USCF Rated Events on Thursday nights & Saturday days
- Open & Invitational Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
- USCF Rated Events
- Extensive Library of Chess Books, DVD's & Tapes
- Chess camps for school-age children, K to 12
- Home club of the late chess legend, Harry Lyman
- Near Davis Square Red Line T Station
New location in "Ellis School" building at: 40 Norris St., Suite B101, Cambridge, MA 02140.
♖ MWCC ♗
"Metrowest Chess Club"
- Regular USCF Rated Events on Tuesday nights
- Live move-by-move feed of top six boards of weekly club tournaments
- Over 80 active members in regular attendance
- Chess school on thursday nights
Located at the Natick Community Center, 117 E. Central St. (Rt.135) in Natick Massachusetts.
♕ GWCC ♛
"Greater Worcester Chess Club"
- Regular USCF Rated Events on Thursday nights
- Guaranteed prizes in Open & Under 1750 Sections
- Easily accessible from I-290, Exit 14
Located at the Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple St., Worcester, MA 01604.
♘ KKCC ♞
"Keene Knights of New Hampshire"
- Club meets Mondays, 6:30 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.
- Both USCF rated & non rated play
- Family friendly environment
- Voluntary Paid Membership
Located at the Elks Lodge #927, 81 Roxbury Street, Keene, NH 03431.
♞ Newburyport Chess Club ♘
"Newburyport Chess Club"
- Club meets Thursday nights 6:30 P.M. Paired by 7:00 PM. Clocks begin at 7:15 PM.
- Both USCF rated tournaments and casual play weekly
- Beginners to masters
- Entry Fee: $15 per tournament, unless otherwise stated
- Club Fees: None
Located at the Hope Community Church, 11 Hale Street, Newburyport, MA
♕ Waltham Chess Club ♛
"Waltham Chess Club"
- Club meets Friday nights, 7:00 PM until midnight (or later!)
- Both USCF rated & non rated play
- Sometimes we offer FREE PIZZA NIGHTS - first-come, first-serve
- Masters get to play for free!
Located in the cafeteria of the 404 Wyman Street offices in Waltham.
via Route 128 (I-95) north to Exit 27B (Winter St. - Wyman Street) or south to exit 28A (Trapelo Rd.),to 404 Wyman Street North (IBM).
♖ Sven Brask Chess Club ♜
"Sven Brask Chess Club (Plainville, MA)"
- Club meets Wednesday nights from 7:30 P.M. to 11:30 P.M.
- USCF Rated, blitz & skittles play
- Beginner to master
- Founded in Rhode Island in 1959
- Club membership: $20/year, 1/2 price for juniors under 21, free for all new members after August
United Methodist Church, 16 E. Bacon St (Rte 106), Plainville, MA
♗ Winchester Chess Club (MA) ♝
"Winchester Chess Club (MA)"
- Club meets Friday nights
- Casual games, bughouse, Fischer Random!
- Family friendly environment
- Various time controls depending on event
Located at the Griffin Museum of Photography, 67 Shore Road, Winchester MA
♔ Wachusett Chess Club ♚
"Wachusett Chess Club"
- Club meets Wednesdays, 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.
- Both USCF rated & non rated play
- Visitors welcime
- Family friendly environment
- Membership Dues Only $20 per Year (Individual or Family)
- Fitchburg State University students FREE
- Beginner to master playing strength
Located at McKay Campus School Classroom C159, Fitchburg State University, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg MA 01420