The Open File - Forming a Chess Club

The Open File

by Life Master Mike Petersen (Zug)

Forming a Chess Club

Chess.com is a very enjoyable place to spend some of your chess time.  I say "some" because most of us also participate in over-the-board tournaments or attend a local chess club.  But what if there isn't a chess club in your area?  In that case, it's possible that Chess.com and other sites like it are your only outlets.  And, since it's rare that chess organizers will hold tournaments in areas without chess clubs, that avenue isn't normally available, either.  Well, perhaps reading this will help change that.  I am going to give you a "capsule lesson" in how to form a chess club.

I'm sure you've heard the old saying about how ten percent of the people do ninety percent of the work.  Well, it's wrong.  If you take it upon yourself to form a chess club, you're going to be doing all the work, at least initially.  If you understand and accept that going in, you already have half the problem licked.  Okay, are you ready?  Then here we go:

1. Make up flyers of some kind and post them around town in places like the library, the YMCA and YWCA, and especially at schools.

2. Call the local TV and radio stations and find out how to get them to do a public service notice.

3. Call the newspaper and find out how to get them to post a notice.  Oh, and don't forget the websites of all the above.  Post there, too.

By the way, these postings are for a meeting only for those interested in forming a chess club.

4. See if the local library will host the meeting, or perhaps the Y.  If not, check around at restaurants in town.  Most of them will be happy to set aside a room for you if everyone eats there.  In addition, meeting at a restaurant can be an enjoyable afternoon or evening for everyone.

5. Have some idea of what you want to accomplish.  You should know approximately how much it would cost to get about half a dozen sets, boards, and clocks.  Your country's chess federation is your best bet for this type of thing.  Also, call them and ask how much it costs to affiliate your club.  You cannot host sanctioned (rated) chess games without being an affiliate.  Incidentally, that's another reason you won't see many organized tournaments in non-chess club areas.  After finding out how many are interested, you will then, by simple arithmetic, have some idea how much dues should be to start out.  If possible, elect officers at this meeting and start forming committees to set up by-laws, etc.

6. Although I have already said it above, it's worth repeating.  Call your country's chess federation!  They usually have special packets they will send you at no cost on how to go about forming an affiliated chess club in your area.

7. Get hold of someone who is a current rated chessplayer and talk them into giving a simul to kick the club off the ground.  He or she does not have to be a master, you know.  Believe it or not, even a class B strength player will probably mow down ninety percent of the opponents in your "Introductory Simul."   And, if you do manage to collar someone into giving a simul, remember to invite all the local media.  They love just such an event for the local news, and it's good publicity, too.  Finally, a great prize for those who are fortunate enough to win or draw in the simul might be a free introductory membership to your new club.

Okay, is all that above enough work for you?  But you want to know what I think?  I think you'd have to be absolutely crazy to do all that work for no pay. 

I've done it seven times.

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