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Should You Join A Chess Club?
The Sanford (N,C.) Knights Chess Club holds as many unrated tournaments such as this one as it does rated events. Photo: Sanford Knights via Facebook.

Should You Join A Chess Club?

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Whether you are an experienced chess player or a beginner, an important question many players ask is, how important is being in a chess club? Here’s what you should know:

Biggest Advantage: Help For Beginning Players

One of the main advantages of being in a chess club is the help that it can provide someone just learning the game. Clubs welcome new players. It’s their way to grow interest in the game of chess. In addition to rated events, some clubs hold unrated tournaments, which give a new player experience with playing in a tournament setting, such as making recording moves, using a chess clock, and knowing chess etiquette and official rules. 

Nashua (N.H.) Chess Club
Young and old players prepare together for a tournament at the Nashua (N.H.) Chess Club. Photo: New Hampshire Public Radio.

When my granddaughter was just five years old, she gained her first formal experience by playing in an unrated tournament sponsored by the Sanford Knights Chess Club—and she scored her first win. That was an important first step for her to be able to win her first rated game over-the-board one week later. New players can gain a lot of support from a club, and the other advantages listed below are also relevant for them. 

More Advantages Of A Chess Club

Being a member of a chess club has several advantages for all players:

  • Camaraderie: Being in a club is a fun way to earn to play, and the chess community is very friendly. In a small group of players, you are more confident and the competition is friendly. A club is also a great way to meet new people who share your interest in the game. Although you can read books and study games on your own, with a club you can share your interest in chess with others.
  • Encouragement: Being in a club is a great way to receive encouragement to improve your skills. As members improve, they provide better competition for others in the club. The friendships formed in a club can also foster a long-time love for the game.
Arlington (Va.) Chess Club
The Arlington (Va.) Chess Club has more than 200 members from old to young, experienced to beginners. Photo: Arlington Chess Club.
  • Training: A chess club is usually a mix of experienced and new players. You can often meet high-level players, who are very willing to share a tip or two as they watch you play. Some may even be willing to coach you. Listening to members talk about their games is very helpful, and new players learn from those more experienced. In a club, you have the benefit of being able to play a variety of opponents, and many clubs offer lessons. If you have specific knowledge about an opening or tactic, you might be called on to explain what you know to others.
  • Equipment: Chess clubs have sets, boards, and clocks needed to play games, and some have small libraries and will let you borrow their books. Sometimes you can play with a variety of piece sizes and designs to determine your favorites before you buy your own.
Manuel Alvarez Escudero
Manuel Alvarez Escudero, the famous chess centenarian, regularly plays at the Moratalaz club in a district of Madrid. Photo: FIDE via Facebook.
  • Events: Clubs typically sponsor a variety of chess events from informal play to rated tournaments. Events can feature specific openings as well as give members familiarity with blitz, rapid, and other common time controls. By being a member, you have advance information on when events are scheduled and can plan accordingly. Clubs frequently are members of chess leagues, and you may be invited to represent your club in one of its matches.
  • Leadership: When you join a club, you may find that you have the talents that the club needs. Are you good at organizing? Are you interested in planning an event or recruiting new members? A club may give you the opportunity to serve. Do you remember what questions about chess you had as a new player? Use that experience to benefit others.
Chess club at San Diego (Ca.) Central Library
Public libraries in San Diego (Ca.) are vibrant hubs of chess clubs such as this one at Central Library. Photo: City of San Diego.

Disadvantages Of A Chess Club

Being a member of a club does have obligations. Carefully evaluate how much time you can spend on club activities and what commitments you can undertake. Don’t take on a role that you don’t feel ready for, that is not a good fit for you, or that may require more time than you are willing to give. However, obligations are not really disadvantages and can be turned into advantages.


What are your experiences of being a member of a chess club? Please share in the comments.

raync910
Ray Linville

Ray Linville’s high point as a chess player occurred when he swiped the queen of GM Hikaru Nakamura in a 60-second bullet game in 2021.  This game was reported in a “My Best Move” column of the Chess Life magazine, published by the U.S. Chess Federation.

At Chess.com, he has been an editor (part-time) since 2019 and has edited news articles and tournament reports—including those of the Candidates and World Championship Tournaments and other major events—by titled players and noted chess writers as well as Game of the Day annotations by leading grandmasters. He has also been a contributing writer of chess terms, e-books, and general interest articles for ChessKid.com.

He enjoys “top blogger” status at Chess.com. His blog has won the award for Best Chess Blog from the Chess Journalists of America for several years. In addition, he has also been the recipient of first-place CJA awards for feature article, humorous contribution, online review, and educational lesson as well as honorable mention in the categories of personal narrative and historical article.

This blog has won the award for Best Chess Blog from the Chess Journalists of America. In addition, I have also been the recipient of first-place awards for online review, feature article, humorous contribution, and educational lesson as well as honorable mention in the categories of personal narrative and historical article. Articles that won these awards are:

In addition, my article "How Knight Promotions Win Chess Games" was selected by Chess.com as "Blog of the Month."

Be sure to check out these articles as well as others that I have posted. I hope you enjoy reading what I have written and will follow this blog to see my future posts.