Mechanics Institute Chess Club

Posted by: BishopBerkeley
Location:
   San Francisco, CA, USA
   57 Post Street
   4th Floor
   San Francisco, CA, 94104
   United States

Map it!

Phone #: (415) 421-2258
Email:
Website: www.chessclub.org

The Mechanics Institute Chess Club is the oldest Chess club in America, and one of the oldest in the world. (It was founded in 1854.) It is located in downtown San Francisco, half a block from the Montgomery Street BART Station. The club has hosted many World Chess Champions, including Emanuel Lasker, Jose Raul Capablanca, Alexander Alekhine, Max Euwe, Bobby Fischer, Vasily Smyslov, Tigran Petrosian, Boris Spassky, and Anatoli Karpov. When asked in 1929 where he found the strongest Chessplayers in America, then World Champion Alexander Alekhine replied, "In San Francisco, in a place called the Mechanics' Institute." More about the remarkable history of this club may be learned here: http://www.chessclub.org/History.html and here: http://www.chessclub.org/hist.html

The Club is open for casual play from 11am to 9 pm on weekdays and from 11am to 5pm on weekends. Tournament days excepted. Please see the main website ( www.chessclub.org ) for more details.

Grandmaster Alex Yermolinsky gives free classes on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Other classes are also offered (including special classes for women and for children). More information: http://www.chessclub.org/Calendar.html

The Chess Club is a part of the Mechanics Institute Library ( www.milibrary.org ), a private library founded in 1854 with books on a very broad range of subjects. Not surprisingly, the Library has an extensive collection of books on Chess, many of historical interest.

Click here for a map the the Mechanics Institute Chess Club.

(You may also find the Newsletter and the Tournament Archive interesting. The October 2006 visit of former World Champion Boris Spassky is covered here http://www.chessclub.org/Spassky.html along with a news video about that visit.)

Please consider visiting!

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Comments:

by jay - 4 years ago
San Jose, CA United States

Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 1431

I have visited this club on a few occassion when I'm in the city. I love the atmosphere, the old building, the library, the players, and the pictures and magazine clippings on the wall are all awesome! This is a must visit club if you're ever in the area. And it's always a bit of a shocker when you're sitting there playing a casual game and Yermolinksy walks by on his way to the restroom! Hard to be calm in the presence of greatness, and I'm always thinking, "please don't look at my position and laugh."

by Calvin - 4 years ago
Vallejo, CA United States

Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 3

I have been a member of this club for the last 10 years. It's a fascinating club. Located on the fourth floor it has the old chess tables with pieces ready for play for whoever happens to be there. Along the walls are pictures of players (past and present). You become a member of the club by joining the library. It's a private library of over 200,000 volumes and contains many books and magazines on chess. If you're ever in the Bay area, it's a great place to visit.

by manti - 3 years ago
tirana Albania

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 2

I want enter in your club.you are the best.

by golem3 - 3 years ago
United States

Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 364

How do I become a member?

by jewishqueen - 2 years ago
United States

Member Since: Jun 2009
Member Points: 1059

what happens weekdays?

by Ferric - 9 months ago
Wy United States

Member Since: May 2011
Member Points: 62

I walked right passed the club when I was there on a visit and missed my chance. Would have loved to visit. Will have to make sure that I dont miss it next time.