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Here is it cost to play chess in the US

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StinkingHyena
StinkingHyena
Oct 7, 2018
0
#1

Just an info posting. I have played OTB in a long time, but wanted to start again. My equipment had long since disappeared, so here is the cost from scratch.

  1. Chess Clock, Tournament Set, Bag, Scoresheets, pens, shipping (basic economy starter set) -$85
  2. Renew USCF membership -$40
  3. Renew state membership -$10

So you have $135 before entry fees, transportation etc. As a side note. my state chess association seems to be well run and organized with a $10 membership fee and volunteers. Either way not very expensive, but I could certainly see how in lower income brackets or young people would find the costs appreciable. Maybe the USCF gives them a discount, not sure.

notmtwain
notmtwain
Oct 7, 2018
0
#2
StinkingHyena wrote:

Just an info posting. I have played OTB in a long time, but wanted to start again. My equipment had long since disappeared, so here is the cost from scratch.

  1. Chess Clock, Tournament Set, Bag, Scoresheets, pens, shipping (basic economy starter set) -$85
  2. Renew USCF membership -$40
  3. Renew state membership -$10

So you have $135 before entry fees, transportation etc. As a side note. my state chess association seems to be well run and organized with a $10 membership fee and volunteers. Either way not very expensive, but I could certainly see how in lower income brackets or young people would find the costs appreciable. Maybe the USCF gives them a discount, not sure.

Youth memberships for under 13 are only $17. 

I think you can get by with less on the equipment to start off too.

Chess is not an expensive sport until you start staying overnight for weekend tournaments.

lfPatriotGames
lfPatriotGames
Oct 7, 2018
0
#3
StinkingHyena wrote:

Just an info posting. I have played OTB in a long time, but wanted to start again. My equipment had long since disappeared, so here is the cost from scratch.

  1. Chess Clock, Tournament Set, Bag, Scoresheets, pens, shipping (basic economy starter set) -$85
  2. Renew USCF membership -$40
  3. Renew state membership -$10

So you have $135 before entry fees, transportation etc. As a side note. my state chess association seems to be well run and organized with a $10 membership fee and volunteers. Either way not very expensive, but I could certainly see how in lower income brackets or young people would find the costs appreciable. Maybe the USCF gives them a discount, not sure.

I think I am not understanding something. I thought OTB meant over the board, as opposed to online. Does OTB mean playing in a tournament? I often play what I thought was OTB on Friday night game night and the cost is basically nothing. Originally we bought a table and board and pieces, but the table was not necessary. It seems to me a decent chess set shouldn't cost more than 20 or 30 dollars.

ActuallySleepy
ActuallySleepy
Oct 7, 2018
0
#4
I’ve only used my equipment once out of about 30 rated otb games... and until now I’ve never even heard of a state membership. I’m in N.C. . Depending on the tourney tho it can get decently pricy especially if you have to travel. I’d recommend only doing it to have fun and support chess.
kaspariano
kaspariano
Show your flair!
Oct 7, 2018
0
#5
StinkingHyena wrote:

Just an info posting. I have played OTB in a long time, but wanted to start again. My equipment had long since disappeared, so here is the cost from scratch.

  1. Chess Clock, Tournament Set, Bag, Scoresheets, pens, shipping (basic economy starter set) -$85
  2. Renew USCF membership -$40
  3. Renew state membership -$10

So you have $135 before entry fees, transportation etc. As a side note. my state chess association seems to be well run and organized with a $10 membership fee and volunteers. Either way not very expensive, but I could certainly see how in lower income brackets or young people would find the costs appreciable. Maybe the USCF gives them a discount, not sure.

 Back in the 90s when I was living in New York I found a chess club where I played tournaments on Wednesdays for just $5.00 for the day. they provided the chess equipment.  You just needed the USCF membership.  I am not fan of rated games/tournaments. but that was what they were offering (you could not stay there and just play short friendly blitz games the whole night)  

NichtGut
NichtGut
Oct 7, 2018
0
#6

Chess federations are mafias. This game is an expensive hobby with the ability to convert even the most promising men into incels. Be careful.

ActuallySleepy
ActuallySleepy
Oct 7, 2018
0
#7
Pretty sure my local club has a Wednesday night free play that doesn’t require any fee or USCF just the gas to drive there
StinkingHyena
StinkingHyena
Oct 7, 2018
0
#8

All of the comments are true, I should have been a bit more clear. That was for a standard tournament setup. Also while clubs are fine, if you live in a rural area in the US there really isnt much of an option except to travel to tournaments.