Are you a Chess player in Alabama, United States? If so, this guide is for you. Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide.
- Chess in Alabama
- How Many Chess Players Are There In Alabama
- Are There Any Grandmasters In Alabama
- Alabama Chess Groups
- Alabama Chess Tournaments
- Alabama Chess Shops
- Conclusion
Chess in Alabama
Chess is a sport that is played all across the nation, including in Alabama. This article will explore how chess has been incorporated into local schools in Birmingham and Mobile, as well as where teens and adults can play competitively throughout the state both online and in person.
How Many Chess Players Are There In Alabama
The exact number of chess players in Alabama is difficult to estimate. There are almost certainly more than the 100 players that are registered with the US Chess Federation, but as you can see from above, the “official” grandmasters for the state is somewhat limited. However, there are over 200 people following the Alabama Chess Federation on Facebook, which does give a rough idea of how many active players are participating in tournaments throughout the state.
One such event is the Birmingham Chess Festival at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It features both college and high school chess tournaments, as well as a radio simul in chess to promote the game.
The Birmingham Chess Club hosts regular play-off series on their Facebook page, as well as other events like their annual Open tournament which is run by the Alabama Chess Federation. Mobile also holds a tournament every year in conjunction with the Alabama Chess Federation, to name just a few places where people can play chess in Alabama.
The US Chess Federation also sanctions blitz tournaments throughout Alabama, mostly in Birmingham and Montgomery. The best way to find out where chess tournaments take place, is to follow the Alabama Chess Federation’s Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
Grandmasters in Alabama
Because Alabama is a less populated state compared to others, with fewer tournaments than bigger states like New York and California, they don’t have a lot of documentation on grandmasters from chess. Here are the top-ranked players from the state of Alabama:
- International Master (IM) Stuart Rachels
- Scott Varagona
- FIDE Master (FM) Bradley Denton
Alabama Chess Shops
There aren’t many chess stores still around, but there are a couple of game stores that specialize in chess boards and chess tournament equipment.
The biggest chess store in the state of Alabama is called The House Of Staunton, which is located at 288 Dunlop Blvd in Huntsville, AL. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter. Another popular chess store to visit in Alabama is The Game Keeper, which has two locations; one in Hoover, and another in Birmingham.
Alabama Chess Groups
Many schools throughout all counties in Alabama offer chess clubs, groups, and tournaments. The Alabama Chess Federation is the best source for all things chess throughout the state. They have their own Facebook page where people can stay up to date, as well as the biggest Facebook group in the state where chess players can connect, and set up times to play against each other, and even arrange tournaments. The Alabama Chess Federation also hosts almost half a dozen chess events throughout the year. These events are within the state, and also feature competitions with nearby states like Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
Alabama Chess Tournaments
If you don’t live near any of the chess clubs or tournaments mentioned above, you can still play online against people from all over the country either through your computer or smart phone app. The Alabama Chess Federation runs a Facebook group which serves as a hub for all things chess-related in the state of Alabama. While in person games are limited, there are a lot of frequent blitz games specific for Alabama residents.
Conclusion
Chess is a game that can be played throughout the state of Alabama, whether it’s at the chess clubs or tournaments, online or through Smartphone apps. It also sets students up for success in other areas of life such as math and logic. Overall, there are more than enough opportunities to play chess all across Alabama.
I hope this post on Alabama Chess helped you. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in reading more about Chess in the United States or a specific state like Texas or California.