If you’re a Chess player in West Virginia, this guide is for you. Below, we cover all of the key resources for players in the State.
Chess in West Virginia
Chess is a game that has seen a massive rise in its popularity across the state of West Virginia in recent years. This is consistent with the game’s growing popularity across the United States. The state of West Virginia has a vibrant chess scene that includes players from all backgrounds, experience levels, and ages.
West Virginia has its own dedicated chess organization known as the West Virginia Chess Association that promotes the game across the state. The organization was founded in 1941. Its stated goal is to promote the chess activity across West Virginia. This includes providing valuable resources for players across the state.
How Many Chess Players Are There In West Virginia
So what is West Virginia’s current Chess scene like?
At the current time, there are 5,541 chess players from the state of West Virginia listed on the official website for the United States Chess Federation. Beyond this official number are countless other chess players who come from an extensive range of backgrounds and ages.
Each day, first-time players begin their chess hobby and lifelong players continue theirs. The popularity of chess in West Virginia is also growing at a steady rate with each passing year.
Grandmasters In West Virginia
Though there are no current West Virginian chess players that hold the rank of Chess Grandmaster, the state has several top-rated players that hold prestigious distinctions. This includes Candidate Master Lewis F. Sanders and 1st Category ranked players Benjamin M. Good, and Caleb Ian Aites.
West Virginia Chess Clubs
There are some great chess groups and clubs that West Virginia’s chess players can participate in. These clubs and groups make it possible for chess players in the state to connect with other enthusiasts in real life. Some of the top chess groups in West Virginia include:
Beckley Chess Club – The Beckley Chess Club holds its meetings on Thursdays from 6 to 8:30 pm at Mountain State Mini Golf.
Charleston Chess Club – The Charleston Chess Club meets on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 pm at the Elkview Baptist Church.
Huntington Chess Club – The Huntington Chess Club meets in the old school across from the YMCA on Saturdays. Meets begin at 1:30 pm.
WVU Chess Club – The West Virginia University Chess Club meets at the Mountain lair Food Court on Mondays from 6 to 9 pm.
Wheeling Chess Club – The Wheeling Chess Club meets holds its meetings at the Ohio County Public Library on Thursdays from 6 to 8:30 pm.
More information about these various chess clubs can be found on the official website of the West Virginia Chess Association.
West Virginia Chess Tournaments
Many chess tournaments are held across the state of West Virginia each year. Chess players who want the opportunity to test their skills against their peers should check out these tournaments that are listed below.
- The Virginia Commonwealth Games Chess Tournament – The Commonwealth Games is one of the biggest events in the state of West Virginia and they feature an online chess tournament that is usually held on July 24th and 25th.
- Kanawha Valley Scholastic League – This chess event is generally held on the 15th of February.
West Virginia Chess Shops
If you are just starting your chess hobby, or you are looking to replace your current board with a new chess set, these are some of the best chess shops in West Virginia.
- Four Horsemen Comics and Games – A leading game shop located in Morgantown.
- The Board Room – A unique game and comic store located in Charleston.
Conclusion
West Virginia has more than enough resources, groups, and Chess players in general for you to take advantage of.
Further Resources
Players that are looking for some other great resources for chess in West Virginia can also find out more by clicking on these links.
- The Official Facebook Page of the West Virginia Chess Association
- The Official Twitter Feed of the West Virginia Chess Association
- Lichess.org Information on the West Virginia Chess Association
- Sparkchess.com
- The Official Website of the West Virginia Chess Association
- Wheretoplaychess.info for West Virginia
I hope this post on West 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