Chess in Hawaii
The state of Hawaii enjoys a vibrant chess scene and the game’s popularity has seen a steady increase in recent years. Hawaii has its own United States Chess Federation affiliate – the Hawaii Chess Federation (HCF). This non-profit is dedicated to promoting the game of chess across the state. Its official website provides chess players across the state with many valuable resources related to upcoming events, clubs, and tournament results, among others.
How Many Chess Players Are There In Hawaii
The chess players of Hawaii are a diverse group and one that ranges from youths who are just getting started with the game and seniors who have been playing for their entire life. Though there is no exact number on how many individuals currently play chess in Hawaii, the game’s popularity is on the rise. The state’s many tournaments include brackets for youths as well as scholastic to senior divisions.
Are There Any Grandmasters In Hawaii
Though Hawaii is a small state, it boasts an impressive amount of chess talent. There are not any current Hawaiian chess players who hold the prestigious rank of Grandmaster, but there are six players from the state who regularly play above the 1800 level. This statistic is according to the official Chess.com website. These individuals are Fernando Ramos, Chad Badgett, Likeke Aipa, Valor Mexia, Damian Nash, and Mark Chen.
Mark Chen recently achieved a truly impressive accomplishment when he became the 2020 Hawaii State Chess Champion at the age of twelve. He is the youngest State Champion in the history of the prestigious chess event.
Hawaii Chess Groups
There are some great clubs and online groups that make it possible for the chess players of Hawaii to connect and play this great game. Some of the state’s top clubs and online groups include:
Kahala Chess Club – The club holds its meetings on Wednesdays from 6:30 until 8:30 pm. These meetings take place at the Kahala Mall Center Court.
Manoa Chess Club – This chess club meets at Manoa State Park on Mondays from 6:30 until 8 pm.
Maui Chess Club – Meetings are held on Thursdays from 6 to 9 pm at Pizza in Paradise.
Waikiki Beach Tables – It is a common occurrence to be able to find a chess game when checking out the beach tables in Waikiki.
Wailua Chess Club – Meetings take place at 6031 Juamoo Road in Kapaa.
You can find out more about these great chess clubs by visiting the official website of the Hawaii Chess Federation.
The Hawaii Chess Federation’s Official Facebook Page
The Hawaii Chess Federation’s Official Twitter Feed
Hawaii Chess Tournaments
Hawaii State Open & Blitz Championships – This is an open event that all ages can participate in. It usually occurs from September 5th to the 7th.
Wahiawa King Kamehameha Chess Tournament – This chess tournament uses the four-round Swiss system. Its usual dates are from June 12th to 13th at the Wahiawa Public Library in Wahiawa. The tournament runs from 9 am until 5 pm.
Hawaii Chess Shops
Whether you are just starting your journey in the amazing world of chess or you are a seasoned pro, it is always helpful to know where to turn to pick up a quality chessboard. The good news is that there are some great chess shops in Hawaii that can get you set up with all of the necessary equipment. The following are some of the leading shops in the state of Hawaii that sell chess boards and pieces.
- The Armchair Adventurer – The Armchair Adventurer is one of the top hobby shops in Honolulu. It is a great place to pick up many outstanding board games including quality chess sets.
- Thinker Things – Thinker Things is a toy store that also features board games. It is a great place in Kahala to pick up a good chess set so that you can start playing.
I hope this post on Hawaii 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 Delaware or New Jersey.
Further Resources
These are some additional chess resources that can help you to find out important information about chess in Hawaii.