Are a chess player residing in South Dakota? If so, this page is for you. Below is a guide with resources and links to the best resources for you to take advantage of and participate in to improve your Elo.
Chess in South Dakota
With a steady increase in the popularity of chess across the United States, it is no surprise that the state of South Dakota has seen a rise in the number of players who are taking part in the game. South Dakota has an emerging chess scene that is on the rise and adding new players on a daily basis. These are all exciting reasons to learn more about chess in the Mount Rushmore State. It is a scene that continues to steadily build on its past and move toward the future.
The leading supporter of all things related to chess education in the state of South Dakota is the South Dakota Chess Association. Their website is full of useful links and valuable resources that are helpful to anyone who wants to find out more about chess in South Dakota. This includes information about upcoming chess events as well as helpful links to various chess clubs in South Dakota.
The following information is designed to provide further information about the growing chess scene in South Dakota. This includes useful links and resources that will direct you to South Dakota chess groups, tournaments, shops, and clubs.
Chess Players In South Dakota
South Dakota’s emerging chess scene is growing at a steady rate. Just as the game continues to grow in popularity across the rest of the USA, the state of South Dakota is also experiencing a large amount of growth when it comes to the popularity of chess. The state of South Dakota enjoys a diverse chess scene that includes players from young to old.
These players come from many diverse backgrounds as well. New players continue to discover the game of chess on a daily basis in South Dakota and lifelong enthusiasts continue to enjoy the activity through their participation in the state’s chess clubs. There is no official number for total chess players in the state but all signs point to a continued growth in popularity when it comes to chess in South Dakota.
Grandmasters In South Dakota
South Dakota is home to some highly regarded chess players. This includes legendary Chess Grandmaster Alex (Yermo) Yermolinsky. The chess legend was born in Leningrad in the Soviet Union and currently resides in South Dakota. He earned the status of Chess Grandmaster in 1992 and he became an inductee of the World Chess Hall of Fame in 2012.
South Dakota is also home to several other top chess players that hold other prestigious rankings. This includes Chess National Master Nels W. Truelson. and 1st Category ranked Josiah Jorenby. At the current time, there are 20 South Dakota chess players that are listed in the official rankings of the United States Chess Federation.
Official South Dakota Chess Player Rankings From the United States Chess Federation
Bio for Chess Grandmaster Alex (Yermo) Yermolinsky From the World Chess Hall of Fame
South Dakota Chess Clubs
This is a list of South Dakota chess clubs, groups, and meetups that help the state’s players to connect in the online realm as well as in real-time.
Brookings Chess Club – Further information about the Brookings Chess Club can be found by contacting Bruce Brandt at (605) 688-4058.
Pierre Chess Club – Chess players in the Pierre area that are interested in finding out more about the Pierre Chess Club can contact Robert Wallace at (605) 224-2966.
Rapid City Chess Club – A great chess club for players in the Rapid City region.
The Sioux Falls Chess Club – The Sioux Falls Chess Club provides the opportunity for chess players in the area to connect and share their love of the game.
Southwest Hawks Chess Club – The Southwest Hawks Chess Club is based out of Rapid City and holds meetings at 3:15 pm on Fridays. Further information about this South Dakota chess club is available by contacting Eric Abrahamson by email at eabraha@mindspring.com.
The South Dakota Chess Forum – This forum is a great place for the state’s chess enthusiasts to connect and share their knowledge with one another.
South Dakota Chess Tournaments
These are some of the leading South Dakota chess tournaments that provide the opportunity for the state’s players to put their skills to the test.
The South Dakota Teams and Blitz Championships – This chess tournament is held at the Pierre Area Senior Citizens Center and is generally held on the 24th and 25th of July.
The South Dakota Closed Championship Sioux Falls – The South Dakota Closed Championships in Sioux Falls is generally held in November and December.
South Dakota Chess Shops
Check out these South Dakota shops when you are looking for your next chess set.
Game Chest – Game Chess is one of the highest-rated board game shops in the city of Sioux Falls and the perfect place to locate your next chess set.
Heroes & Villains – Local residents attest to the fact that Heroes & Villains is one of the best game shops they have ever been to. It is the perfect place to pick up chess supplies when you are in the area.
Lookout Games – If you find yourself in Spearfish, South Dakota, it is worth your time to check out the selection of board games available at Lookout Games. This includes a selection of chess options.
Conclusion
I hope this post on South Dakota 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 such as Chess in North Carolina or Chess in California.
Further Resources
These are some other resources that are helpful to South Dakota chess players who are interested in finding out more about opportunities to play in the state.