Are you a Chess player in Florida? If so, you’re in the right place. Here’s what we’ll cover in this article.
Chess in Florida
Florida is home to many passionate chess players who are active in competing but also enjoy casual excursions at various clubs around the area. From younger folk to seniors you will find a range of people from different backgrounds who love the concepts of strategy and critical thinking while learning new information with each game.
The Scene is inviting and readily available to those who wish to play with others and make new friends along the way to enrich each other’s chess knowledge and encourage overall progression.
How Many Chess Players Are There In Florida
There are the top 100 players in the state of Florida who are vigorously competing to secure their place in the rankings and constantly trying to increase their ELO rating. Below them are subcategories of players that include grade school, high school, college, and others who aspire to achieve the prestigious title of master or grandmaster.
You will find Florida to contain thousands of chess players, but only a few hundred are recognized on the leader boards because it can be a daunting process to compete. Some just play for the love of the game and this may be where you are most comfortable.
Are There Any Grandmasters In Florida
Lars Bo Hansen is a famous Grandmaster from Florida who has gained notoriety throughout his career as a stunning player and effective chess instructor. The highest title is rare in general and you will only find less than a handful of other Grandmasters in Florida but many are striving to achieve this title.
Hikaru Nakamura is another very famous GM from this state who is skilled beyond belief. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and study to rise in the rankings and stand out among the tough competition.
Florida Chess Groups
One of the notable clubs you can attend would be the central Florida Chess club where they have many opportunities for players to thrive in a friendly and nurturing environment.
The Sarasota Chess Club
The Sarasota chess club in Florida is a newer club but they also are a great option to get together and play to increase experience! They offer detailed instruction and are hosting monthly events which are beneficial to attend.
The Shannon Staub Club
The Shannon Staub club meets weekly and is dedicated to providing players with a cordial atmosphere at the library which usually has around 30 players a week for a more close-knit club to consider.
Florida Chess Tournaments
Some Notable chess tournaments in Florida to consider would be the
- USCE Palm Beach Chess Quads
- the 8th Summer Solstice Open
- Orlando Sunshine Open
- Orlando, Autumn Open
- the 13th Annual Turkey Bowl
where you can cook the competition to the bone. You will also be able to find practice tournaments at local clubs around the area to prepare for that pressurized environment.
Florida Chess Shops
If you’re looking for chess shops to stock up on the best materials to up your game then consider visiting:
- Escapology Escape Rooms Orlando
- Chess & Games
- Central Florida Chess Club(To shop and play)
- Rec Rooms USA – for reliable sets and strategy books to keep you informed and confident for those tough games.
I hope this post on Florida 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.
Further Resources
