United States Chess Guide: Resources For All 50 States in America

Finding other Chess players in your state is one of the best ways to get better at Chess. It can be hard to find players in real life. So we made this resource for you. Below you’ll find resources for all 50 states in America, including the Chess Association in every state.
For faster reference, click on your state in the map below to instantly be directed to the dedicated page of resources for that state.

Or you can click on your state below to automatically be directed to more information on your state.

Alabama

Home of International Master Stuart Rachels and FIDE Master Bradley Denton, Alabama has a limited, but active Chess scene. The Facebook page of the Alabama Chess Federation has about 200 followers.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Alabama.

Alaska

Alaska may seem like the last place where you would expect to find an active Chess community, however this isn’t the case. Keep in mind how popular Chess is in general. With over 600 million Chess players in the world, you’re bound to find the game of Kings being players on a regular basis no matter where you go in the world. Alaska is no different. Alaska has active Chess groups, tournaments, and even Chess shops to check out.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Alaska.

Arizona

Arizona has some of the best Chess clubs and tournaments in the whole country. Including Crazyhouse tournaments and plenty of Blitz.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Arizona.

Arkansas

Chess is Arkansas is abundant. There are established Chess groups that you can join to connect with other players. There are also some master level players in the state.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Arkansas.

California

One of the largest states, California has more Chess clubs and events than you would have time available to participate in all of them. Each section of California has its own tournaments and clubs for you to join and become active in. With a Chess community of this size, you’ll find many of the best players in the country here such as Grandmaster Vinay Bhat, who is also one of the youngest International Masters in history, and Master Maxim Glugy.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in California.

Colorado

Colorado has some top-rated players including master rated players. There are also top-notch groups and clubs to check out.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Colorado.

Connecticut

Connecticut has an active Chess community. Also being so close to New York, you’re in a good location for the game.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Connecticut.

Delaware

Even though a smaller state, there are enough Chess clubs to take your pick from.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Delaware.

Florida

Florida is the home of Grandmaster Lars Bo Hansen, who is also an instructor. Florida has multiple Chess clubs that you can join as well as multiple tournaments that are held on a regular basis.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Florida.

Georgia

Georgia has active Chess groups that are free to participate in, which is great. Every Wednesday for example, there is a free Chess group that players for hours that you can go to, as well as many paid events and tournaments that are held on a regular weekly basis. Not to mention, Georgia is where one of the top Chess youtubers and teachers, Grandmaster Ben Finegold resides.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Georgia.

Hawaii

If you’re thinking everyone in Hawaii is too busy surfing and enjoying one of the most beautiful scenes in the country to be bothered with Chess, this isn’t the case. Chess is alive and well in Hawaii and has plenty of groups and players to connect with.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Hawaii.

Idaho

Idaho has many Chess players that are worth connecting with. There are established groups that meet regularly as well as tournaments you can compete in.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Idaho.

Illinois

One of the rapidly growing communities of Chess players in the country. For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Illinois.

Indiana

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Indiana.

Iowa

Iowa actually has a Chess community that has been growing consistently and steadily over the years. Home of FIDE Master Doug R. McClintock, Iowa has multiple Chess clubs and tournaments to get active in.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Iowa.

Kansas

Kansas is the home of Grandmaster Timur Gareyev. With a player like this being there, you bet there is an active Chess scene in the state.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Kansas.

Kentucky

Kentucky has plenty of Chess groups to join and play on a regular basis.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Kentucky.

Louisiana

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Louisiana.

Maine

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Maine.

Maryland

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Maryland.

Massachusetts

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Massachusetts.

Michigan

Michigan has plenty of groups, clubs, and places to join other players.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Michigan.

Minnesota

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Minnesota.

Mississippi

Mississippi has an active Chess scene as well.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Mississippi.

Missouri

With some master level Chess players like Joshua Friedel and Varuzhan Akobian, Missouri is home of some of the best players not only in the country, but in the world. Including the Super Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana. who became the youngest Grandmaster ever in the United States.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Missouri.

Montana

Montana has active groups and clubs that you can become a member of to learn and play on a consistent basis.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Montana.

Nebraska

Nebraska has multiple Chess clubs that are available for you to join. The state also has a major tournament held every year usually in March.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Nebraska.

Nevada

Nevada is home of FIDE Master Patrick Hummel. Nevada is one of the best states in the country for Chess players. Being in the state that hosts the US National Chess tournament in Las Vegas, this is to be expected. Nevada is one of the places to be in the United States for Chess players.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Nevada.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire has their fair share of active Chess players.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in New Hampshire.

New Jersey

From New York City, now in New Jersey, Joel Benjamin made New Jersey his home. Being able to join clubs in New Jersey and also be so close to New York, New Jersey is one of the best locations to be in to play Chess.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in New Jersey.

New Mexico

While the Chess scene is less popular in New Mexico, there are still active Chess groups that you can join to meet players in person.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in New Mexico.

New York

New York is arguably the best state in the entire country to be a Chess player. Famous for the Chess hustlers and incredibly active Chess community, traveling to New York just to play Chess is common. There’s few things more enjoyable that playing Chess outside on Chess tables in central park. Home of top players like Lev Alburt, Marc Arnold, and Jaan Ehlvest, New York is the mecca of Chess in the United States.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in New York.

North Carolina

Home of the Grandmasters John Burke, Magesh Panchanathan, and Elshan Moradiabadi, North Carolina is a large state with many opportunities for Chess players. Charlotte being one of the best cities to be in for living and playing Chess.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in North Carolina.

North Dakota

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in North Dakota.

Ohio

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Ohio.

Oklahoma

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Oklahoma.

Oregon

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Oregon.

Pennsylvania

 

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island

Despite being such a small state, Rhode Island does have Chess groups and tournaments that you can join and participate in. It’s also close to New York which is always more than worth it to make the drive to.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Rhode Island.

South Carolina

The Palmetto State is the home of some top players including Wayne Christensen, Mike Sailer, Randal Ferguson, Samuel S. Copeland, and Dr. Alexander Matros. South Carolina also has some of the leading Chess clubs in the country. For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in South Carolina.

South Dakota

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in South Dakota.

Tennessee

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Tennessee.

Texas

Barbecue and Chess, they go together don’t they? Absolutely, in Texas anyway. Texas has many active players that you can meet at any of the active groups that meet regularly.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Texas.

Utah

Many Master level Chess players live in the Beehive State. Players including National Master, Eric Hon, National Master Bryan Doyle, and Candidate Master Alexander Kenneth Gustafsson. The University of Utah has a Chess club, as well as other clubs the public can join.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Utah.

Vermont

Chess is popular in Vermont. You can check out one of the groups to connect with players in your area. They also have tournaments to compete in as well.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Vermont.

Virginia

Virginia is the home of not one, but two Grandmasters, Michael Brown and Sergey Erenburg. With two of the best Chess players in the world, Virginia is one of the best locations to be in if you’re a Chess player.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Virginia.

Washington

The Evergreen State is home of multiple Master Chess players including Bryce Tiglon, Anthony Bi He, Tian Sang, Wim Megan Lee, Ryan W. Porter, and Nathaniel W. Koons. Washington has a few well established Chess clubs that players can join.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Washington.

West Virginia

The Mountain State has over 500 active Chess players and is the home of Candidate Master Lewis F. Sanders and 1st Category ranked players Benjamin M. Good, and Caleb Ian Aites.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in West Virginia.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a great state to be in for Chess. The United States Chess Federation currently lists 176 Wisconsin chess players in their list of rankings by state.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Wisconsin.

Wyoming

Wyoming has an active Chess scene. While there aren’t any current Grandmaster players, there are master rated players like Candidate Master Daniel Joelson. There are also clubs, groups, and tournaments you can join.

For more information, visit the complete guide with resources on Chess in Wyoming.

 

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