Are you a Chess player in Virginia? This guide is all about Chess in Virginia. It includes resources to assist players across the state.
Chess in Virginia
With the popularity of chess on the rise across the United States, new players are taking up the game on a daily basis. The state of Virginia is enjoying a major rise in the popularity of chess which is similar to what has been seen across the rest of the U.S.
The leading organization in Virginia that promotes the game of chess is the Virginia Chess Federation. The organization’s website is full of helpful links and resources for chess in Virginia.
How Many Chess Players Are There In Virginia
The growth in popularity for chess in Virginia has been steady in recent years. There are many different clubs and organizations that are devoted to promoting the game across the state. Virginia is also home to some annual chess tournaments that allow players to put their skills to the test.
Chess is popular in Virginia from the scholastic side of the game to senior citizens who have enjoyed chess throughout their lives. The United States Chess Federation currently lists 200 ranked players from the state of Virginia. Many of these players hold major distinctions such as National Master and Life Master.
Grandmasters In Virginia
Though there are not any current Chess Grandmasters living in the state of Virginia, the state has some highly regarded players that hold prestigious titles within the game. These include National Masters such as Sergey Erenburg, Praveen Balakrishnan, Luis Carlos Torres Jr., and Justin Paul. These chess players are currently the top-ranked individuals from the state of Virginia.
Virginia Chess Clubs
Several of the top chess clubs and groups in Virginia are listed below. These groups can help you to connect with other chess players in Virginia whether it is in the online realm or in real life. These are some of the best Virginia Chess groups that you can connect with other local players.
The Arlington Chess Club – The Arlington Chess Club was established back in 1954. It is the oldest chess club in the greater Washington, DC area and proudly promotes the game.
The Chess Club at Virginia Tech – This club is a registered student organization at Virginia Tech. Meetings are held on Thursdays at 6:30 pm and on Sundays at 6 pm.
The Virginia Chess Club – The Virginia Chess Club is dedicated to helping players to improve their chess games. The club is based out of Charlottesville and it is the largest competetive college chess team in Virginia.
The Virginia Scholastic Chess Association – The Virginia Scholastic Chess Association is dedicated to promoting the game of chess to K-12 students in the state of Virginia.
The Virginia Commonwealth Chess Kids – This organization offers a variety of quality chess programs for young people to take advantage of.
Virginia Chess Tournaments
Chess players in Virginia can take part in tournaments that allow them to test their skills against their fellow players. Some of the leading tournaments are listed below.
Charlottesville Open – This chess tournament usually takes place on July 10 and 11.
Chess at the Virginia Commonwealth Games – The Commonwealth Games are one of the biggest events of the year in Virginia. Chess is one of the many games featured in the Commonwealth games. The chess tournament usually takes place on July 24 and 25.
The Virginia Open – This tournament takes place over three days and is usually held in either February or March.
The Virginia Senior Championships – The senior championships are usually held between June and September. This tournament is open to players who are age 50 and above.
The Northern Virginia Open – This two-day open tournament is usually held in November.
Virginia Chess Shops
Whether you are just buying a chess set for the first time, or you are looking for an upgrade to your current setup, the following shops can help you out in Virginia. Here are the best Virginia Chess shops to check out.
One Eyed Jacques – One Eyed Jacques is one of the top gaming shops in Richmond and a great place to find your next chess set.
Tower of Games – Tower of Games is the place to go for board games in Virginia Beach. This includes the option of picking up a good chess set.
Conclusion
Virginia has a rich Chess community and they have some of the best groups and clubs to join. You don’t have to worry about moving to another state to find good Chess players to connect with.
Further Resources
- The Official Website of the Virginia Chess Federation
- The Official Twitter Feed of the Virginia Chess Federation
- Chess.com – Information about the Virginia Chess Federation
- Wheretoplaychess.com – Virginia Information
I hope this post on Virginia 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
