Are you a Chess player in Michigan? If you are, this post will help you. We go over the leading resources for Minnesota players including the best clubs, shops, tournaments, and more.
Chess in Michigan
There is plenty to be excited about if you are a chess player living in the state of Michigan. The Wolverine State has a great chess scene that is experiencing the same type of growth that is seen across the rest of the United States and globally. If you play chess in Michigan, there are some amazing opportunities that you can take advantage of.
If you are looking for the best place to find out about all things related to chess in Michigan then you need to head to the official website of the Michigan Chess Association. This non-profit organization promotes chess across Michigan. This includes promoting competitive tournaments across the state as well as the many great Michigan chess clubs that help players to connect. The Michigan Chess Association is also one of the leading promoters of scholastic chess activities across the state. Beyond the official website for the Michigan Chess Association, the organization has a strong presence on both Twitter and Facebook.
The following information and resources have been provided to help chess players in Michigan to take full advantage of the opportunities that are available in the state. This includes links to leading chess clubs, tournaments, and chess shops. It also includes links to information about the top-ranked chess players in the state of Michigan.
Chess Players In Michigan
You will find that Michigan enjoys a chess scene that is as diverse as the state’s overall population. Players from all backgrounds, age ranges, and walks of life come together to enjoy their mutual appreciation for the game of chess. The good news for Michigan’s diverse chess scene is the fact that there are plenty of opportunities for them to develop their skills further and to put them to the test in a competitive environment.
Best Players in Michigan
Michigan is home to a total of 533 chess players that hold spots in the official rankings of the United States Chess Federation. These top-ranked Michigan chess players include standouts such as National Masters Atulya Arya Shetty, Rogelio Antonio Jr., Safal Bora, Ben Li, Joshua Posthuma, Edward Song, Seth Homa, Alberto Lopez, James Canty III, Andrew D. Hubbard, Justin Sun Liang, and Alexander Deatrick, to name a few.
You can find out more about the top chess players in the state of Michigan from the official rankings page of the United States Chess Federation.
Michigan Chess Clubs
If you are looking for fellow Michigan chess players to connect with, the following clubs can help. These organizations help to bring together the Michigan chess community in a spirit of mutual love and respect for the game.
Detroit City Chess Club – The Detroit City Chess Club works together with Young Detroit Thinkers to provide opportunities for youth across the Detroit metro area to learn and play chess in a supportive environment.
Genesee County Chess Club – The Genesee County Chess Club holds its meetings on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Meetings take place at 3065 North Genesee Road in Flint, MI.
Grand Rapids Chess Center – The Grand Rapids Chess Center promotes chess in the greater Grand Rapids region and welcomes players from all backgrounds, ability levels, ages, and experience levels. The club’s meetings begin at 6:30 pm on Tuesdays.
Jackson Chess Club – The Jackson Chess Club meets on Thursdays from 7 pm to 12 am at Cottage Inn Pizza in Jackson, MI. More information about the club can be attained by contacting James Stockham at jimio73@comcast.net.
Kalamazoo Chess Club – The Kalamazoo Chess Club meets from 3 to 5 pm on Sundays at the Water Street Coffee Joint in Portage, MI. Further club information can be found by contacting Tim McGrew at timothymcgrew@gmail.com.
Knights of the Square Table – Knights of the Square Table is a chess club based out of Hillsdale, MI that meets from 7 to 10 pm on Fridays. You can find out more about the club by reaching out to Anthony LoPresto at Mr.LoPresto@yahoo.com.
Oakland County Chess Club – If you are in the Waterford Twp region of Michigan, it is worth your time to check out the Oakland County Chess Club. The club holds meetings on the first Sunday of each month starting at 3 pm. Meetings take place at the Central United Methodist Church in Waterford Twp, MI.
Westland Chess Club – The Westland Chess Club meets on Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm. These meetings are held at the William P. Faust Public Library in Westland, MI.
Michigan Chess Tournaments
The following tournaments provide the opportunity for Michigan’s chess-playing community to test its skills in a competitive setting.
Michigan Open – The Michigan Open Chess Tournament usually takes place from the 3rd to the 6th of September. The event is held at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing, MI.
Michigan Bottom Half Class Championships – This Grand Prix chess tournament is generally held from the 2nd to the 3rd of October at the Wyndham Garden in Ann Arbor, MI.
Michigan Chess Shops
When you need to purchase chess products in Michigan, the following shops are a great option.
AFK Games – AFK Games is a board game hotspot in the Delhi Charter Township area of Michigan. This is a top spot to head if you need to purchase chess products.
Blue Bridge Games – When it comes to chess shops in the Grand Rapids region of Michigan, Blue Bridge Games comes highly recommended as a spot with a great selection.
Eternal Games – If you are in the Warren, Michigan area, Eternal Games is a great place to check out. The shop is known for its excellent board game selection. This includes some great chess options.
Vault of Midnight – Vault of Midnight is one of the top spots that residents of Detroit turn to when they need to pick up a chess set.
Further Resources
For some additional resources about Michigan, U.S., and International Chess, see the following additional resources.
- The Official Website of the Michigan Chess Association
- The Official Michigan Chess Association Facebook Group
- The Official Twitter Feed of the Michigan Chess Association
- The United States Chess Federation
- The International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Hopefully you found this Michigan Chess guide helpful. You might also be interested in reading more about United States Chess or a specific state like Texas or California. There is a resource guide for each of the 50 states in America.