WCC: Other Organizations














♜  "Above all else, before playing in competitions a player must have regard to his health, for if he is suffering from ill health he cannot hope for success. In
this connection the best of all tonics is 15 to 20 days in the fresh air, in the country." -Mikhail Botvinnik  ♜

♔ ♜ ♘   National, International & State Organizations
& Local Chess Clubs   ♕ ♞ ♗

NOTE: This page is currently under construction & may contain outdated information.

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 the latest contact info there.


  ♔     ♞     ♖       Play Every Day!       ♜     ♗     ♛  
  ♖     Local Chess Clubs   ♗   listed by Regular Meeting Day of the week     ♘  
  ♔     One-day tournaments   ♙   listed with pink background     ♕  
SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
Ayer CC,   Ayer, MAKeene Knights,   Keene, NHMetrowest CC, Natick, MAWachusett CC, Fitchburg, MAGreater Worcester CC, Worcester, MABillerica CC Billerica, MABoylston CC,   Cambridge, MA
New Britain CC, New Britain CTSoutheast MA CC, Plainville, MABoylston CC,   Cambridge, MAWinchester CC, Winchester, MA
Newburyport CC, Newburyport, MAWaltham CC, Waltham, MA

♚ 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 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

See also the Connecticut Chess Magazine by Rob Roy blog.

♞ 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.

♗ Bangkok Chess Club ♛


"Bangkok Chess Club"
  • Home of the prestigious FIDE rated Bangkok Chess Club Open
  • Open on Friday nights, from 6:30 PM
  • Over 200 active players, from beginners to masters
  • All are welcome and it is free!
  • The BCC also meets Tuesday evenings at Roadhouse Barbecue

The Bangkok Chess Club meets every Friday evening at The Queen Victoria Pub and Restaurant in Sukhumvit Soi 23 - a short stroll up Soi 23 or through Soi Cowboy from Sukhumvit MRT and Asoke BTS. Players begin to arrive from 6:30pm and tournaments usually begin at about 8:00pm. With over 200 active players of every standard from beginners to masters, you are bound to find players to give you a good game - all are welcome. And it is free - though nobody would object if you bought the organiser a drink. You can find more information at the Queen Victoria website.

The BCC also meets Tuesday evenings at Roadhouse Barbecue on the corner of Surawong and Rama IV Roads, although there are not players there every week. It's near the Sala Daeng skytrain station (walk through Thaniya Plaza to Surawong Road and turn right), and the Silom MRT station. You can find more information at the Roadhouse website.

♗ 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!

♖ Colorado ♖


"Colorado Chess Informant"
  • Open & Invitational Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
  • USCF Rated Tournaments
  • Annual Round Robin Invitational (Top 12) Events
  • Annual Rocky Mountain Scholastic Team Chess Challenge vs. New Mexico's Class Champions

Colorado State Chess Association provides an online archive of hundreds of games from Colorado events.

♟ Relyea Chess ♟


"Relyea Chess"
  • Open & Invitational Chess Championship Matches & Tournaments
  • USCF & FIDE Rated Events
  • 2014 National Junior Girls' Invitational

A New Hampshire chess organization operated by Alex Relyea & 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.

♙ Andover Chess Club ♟


"Andover Chess Club"
  • Open on Friday nights, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  • Open to all, including children ages 6 and up accompanied by a parent
  • Instruction, casual games and tournaments featuring matches against other area clubs
  • St. Augustine's, Center for Education and Ministry, 35 Essex Street, Andover

Location:
St. Augustine's, Center for Education and Ministry, 35 Essex Street, Andover.
The club's first meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 18th and the first tournament for October 23rd. For more information, contact Mike Henroid at AndoverChessClub@gmail.com
[Formerly at Faith Lutheran Church, 360 South Main St. (Route 28), Andover]
See also January 15, 2015 article in The Andover Townsman

Note: The Andover Chess Club has a new location at St. Augustine's, Center for Education and Ministry, 35 Essex Street, Andover.

♙ Ayer Chess Club ♟


"Ayer Chess Club" at Billiards Cafe

Location:

Starting June 4th (2017), WCC member, Mike David has been running an informal chess club at:
The Billiards Cafe, 39 Main St., Ayer, MA
Play Is "quick chess," i.e. Game/15, usually a round robin
No entry fees, no prizes - just fun
See pictures from the May 20, 2019 Billiards Cafe spring Blitz Tournament

♗ Billerica Chess Club ♞


"Billerica Chess Club"
  • Open on Friday nights, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
  • Open to all, including children ages 6 and up accompanied by a parent
  • Regular USCF Rated Events on Friday nights
  • Billerica Council on Aging, 25 Concord Road, Billerica

Weekly tournament results & standings for the Billerica Chess Club can be found at http://www.wachusettchess.org/Billerica.php

Location:
Billerica Council on Aging, 25 Concord Road, Billerica (Right next to the Billerica Public Library)
The Billerica Chess Club, which has been in existence for many years meets Fridays at 7:30 at the Billerica Council on Aging, 25 Concord Road. The club hosts a G/90, USCF rated monthly Swiss with an entry fee of $15.
Arthur Nugent, the club organizer, said the club met at the Honeywell plant from the '70s through the mid-'90s, before moving to the Council on Aging site in the late '90s, & added: "Over the years, we have had many strong players who have attended the club and have gone on to secure FIDE titles and national master titles." These include international masters Dave Vigorito and Danny Kopec; FIDE masters Christopher Chase, Nasser Abbasi, and John Curdo; and national masters Joel Johnson, Allan Bennett, & Marc LaRocca.
Art Nugent is the club contact and can be reached at arthur978@comcast.net.

♔ 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
  • Online web site with .PGN archives & live games

Monthly Event:
Note: Henceforth all events are at our new location; St. Paul's Episcopal Church; 39 E. Central Ave., Natick MA
PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY
See http://www.metrowestchess.org/Community/Club/Maps/Location_and_Maps.pdf for maps.
Also: The time control is now 40/90; SD/30; d5


(Formerly 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 at 7:30 PM
  • Guaranteed prizes in Open & Under 1750 Sections
  • Time control G/115 d5
  • Easily accessible from I-290, Exit 14

Located at Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple St., Worcester, MA

I-290 West, Exit 14.
Take first right while on the ramp, Straight through the set of lights,
Left onto Temple Street, Straight through at stop sign,
Parking lot on left (diagonally across from St John's Church).
Enter through Fiddler's Green Pub. Meeting room is on lower level.

I-290 East, Exit 14.
Take left at end of ramp onto Grafton Street. Go under bridge bearing right,
Left onto Temple Street, Straight through at stop sign,
Parking lot on left (diagonally across from St John's Church).
Enter through Fiddler's Green Pub. Meeting room is on lower level.

For more information about Chesspals, GWCC and chess tournaments, contact:
Donna Alarie
President of Chesspals and GWCC
Phone: (508) 847-8574
Email: Donnachesspals@gmail.com
Mailing Address: 21 Blueberry Ln.
Rutland, MA 01543-1763

♘ 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
  • Links to FATV Chess Chat videos

UPDATE (Posted November 12, 2017) to IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
THE KNIGHTS CHESS CLUB WILL HAVE A PERMANENT NEW HOME AT THE Congregation Ahavas Achim (Map).
We will remain meeting at the Synagogue for the foreseeable future.
Again, please make plans to meet at the Synagogue as usual this coming Monday.
For driving directions please visit the Hours & Location page.
Congregation Ahavas Achim is located at:
84 Hastings Avenue, Keene, NH 03431

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
Beginning immediately and continuing for the next few months the Knights Chess Club will be meeting at a new location! The Congregation Ahavas Achim, which is located a very short distance away (Map) has gratuitously offered to provide the Knights Chess Club with a new home until we can return to our permanent location.
Congregation Ahavas Achim is located at: 84 Hastings Avenue, Keene, NH 03431

IMPORTANT NOTICE REMINDER! Knights Chess Club is no longer meeting at the Elks Club.
The Knights Chess Club now meets at the Life Journey Church, 570 Park Avenue, Keene, NH

My Fellow Knights Chess Club Members,

A great deal has happened over the last two weeks, and there are a number of things to share. Like re-booting a personal computer, the Knights Chess Club is being re-booted and a number of new changes will be taking place.

1) OUR NEW CLUB LOCATION:
We will be meeting at a new location: The Life Journey Church located at 570 Park Avenue, Keene, NH. This is an excellent location in a number of ways. We will have an amply sized playing area, in addition to a skittles room. The location is easily accessible from Route 9, 12, and the Keene area, and there is plenty of parking. There are also some nearby locations where food and drink can be purchased if desired. For more details see the Hours & Location of the Knights Chess Club website at:

http://knightschessclub.org/hours-and-location.html

2) THE KCC PLANNING BOARD IS REFORMED:
For a number of years after the club began there was a four member planning board comprised of dedicated individuals, and together the board guided and directed the club. However over time and with outside circumstances playing a part the board became somewhat forgotten.

As of today the four member KCC Planning Board has been reformed consisting of Tom Cassar, Ed Harris, Tony Cesolini, and Dave Kochman. Our first meeting took place on Thursday, April 16, during which many issues were discussed and the beginnings of a clear new path for the club laid down. The purpose of the KCC Planning board will be to guide the club prosperously into the future.

3) A NEW EVENT CALENDAR, MESSAGE BOARD, AND PHOTO GALLERY:

EVENT CALENDAR: In the future all upcoming club events will be posted on our new Event Calendar, which can be found at the KCC website. Tony Cesolini will be in charge of posting to the Event Calendar and was given the go ahead to begin last night (Thursday evening) at the Planning Board meeting. He has not had much time since then, but I expect the Event Calendar will begin being populated shortly. The direct URL to the Event Calendar is:

http://knightschessclub.org/calendar/month.php

MESSAGE BOARD: The new Message Board can be found at the KCC website. To post at the forums requires only a simple registration and then you are ready to go. There are forums created for general chat, tournament postings, suggestions and requests, event discussions, and even for those interested in locating others for commuting to events. The forums will be moderated by Dave Kochman, and tournament announcements posted by Tony Cesolini, in addition to outside tournament directors wishing to post their upcoming events. The direct URL to the KCC message board is:

http://www.knightschessclub.org/forum/

PHOTO GALLERY: The new Photo Gallery can be found at the KCC website. As events occur both in and outside of the club where photos are taken they will be added to the photo gallery. There are a number of older photos from the clubs history, some that have been posted and others that are yet to be posted but will be added. Feel welcome to view the photo gallery from time to time and enjoy the photos. The direct URL to the KCC Photo Gallery is:

http://www.knightschessclub.org/gallery/

4) PLANNING OF CLUB EVENTS: All club events will be planned by Tony Cesolini, and then reviewed by the planning board. Once approved they will be posted to the Event Calendar.

5) PLANNING OF CLUB SPONSORED EVENTS OUTSIDE THE CLUB WALLS: Anyone, whether a club tournament director, planning board member, or club member my initiate discussion of a KCC sponsored event that takes place outside of the club. To get the ball rolling simply contact a member of the KCC Planning Board (Tom, Ed, Dave, Tony) to initiate a discussion and things will proceed from there.

6) EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS: All email notifications such as this one will be overseen and mailed by Ed Harris.

7) CLUB TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS: In order to both reduce the burden for events requiring a tournament director, we will be attempting to increase the number of Local TD's within the club to 4 (actually more when considering everyone). At the moment it is the intention of Ed, Tony, and Dave to study and take the Local TD test. This is a future goal that will will begin working on in the very near future.

8) WELCOME AND RULE BOARD: The KCC once had both a welcome to the KCC, and a club rules board that would display at each club meeting. A new board will be created to combine both our welcome and rules into one, and displayed at each club meeting. This is a project for the very near future.

9) KNIGHTS CHESS CLUB BUSINESS CARDS: Our old policy of having KCC Business Cards is going to be revived. Like a business card, these cards simply contain information about the KCC, our hours and location, website, and some other information. They are very inexpensive and have been great for handouts, leaving at events, posting on boards, and making available at places around town, amongst other things. Ed Harris will be responsible for getting them made and members will be encouraged to take advantage of their existence.

10) PUBLIC RELATIONS: The planning board as a whole will be working on public relations venues. Ways of better getting the message out to the community about the Knights Chess Club. For example, Dave Kochman will be working on getting the KCC back on the community events calendar of the Keene Sentinel. Marketing suggestions by club members are welcome.

I look forward to seeing all our members soon at the new location!

Kindly,
Ed Harris

♖ New Britain Chess Club ♜


"New Britain CT Chess Club"
  • Club meets Tuesday nights 6:30 PM until 11:00 PM All activities usually begin at 6:30 PM.
  • Both USCF rated tournaments and casual play weekly
  • Beginners to masters
  • Directions & additional information
  • Club Fees: $60/year adult; $30/year student $30/year special

Located at the Armenian Church, 1910 Stanley Street, New Britain CT, 06053, E-mail: newbritainchessclub@gmail.com
Map

♞ 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).

♖ Southeast Mass Chess Club ♜

(Formerly named: Sven Brask Chess Club)


"Southeast Mass 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

Last but not least:

♔ 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 welcome
  • Family friendly environment
  • Membership Dues Only $20 per Year (Individual or Family)
  • Fitchburg State University students FREE
  • Free parking
  • Air-conditioned
  • Beginner to master playing strength

Located at McKay Campus School Classroom C159, Fitchburg State University, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg MA 01420



WCC Flyer

WACHUSETT CHESS CLUB

WELCOMES

  • All players, beginners to masters, of all ages, men and women, children and parents
  • Friendly atmosphere
  • Comfortable venue, lots of fun
  • Air conditioned, with plenty of free parking
  • Low membership fees
  • USCF rated games and tournaments
  • Detailed & informative website at: http://www.wachusettchess.org

  • Meets Wednesdays, 7:00 to 11:00 PM

    FITCHBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
    McKay "C" Building
    67 Rindge Road
    Fitchburg, MA 01420

  • For more information and directions, visit www.wachusettchess.org or
  • Contact George Mirijanian, Club President
    email: miriling2@aol.com
    phone: 978-345-5011