What is the best place in the United States for chess?

 Calgary is great for chess? If so, that's news to me...

/no, it's not

Back around 1995 on the mississippi gulf coast we used to have 20 to 30 players show up now its just me at age 49 an my old chess friend cecil age 51 on most Sundays.Why its the internet now to play a game its just takes a few mouse clicks where to go to a club you have to pick a day an time an it takes time an  a  bit of trouble to drive an etc.Some sundays i do not feel like going but do so anyway.Think about it used to be if you wished to play a game you were forced to go to a chess club not now if you wake up at 2am feel like play a game pop on the internet an you pick from several sites a lot all for free.To me its sad as wish it was 1999 not 2009.

"The best place is Guantanamo or Haiti , because there is warm"

Actually, the 'detention centre chess' theme maybe nurturing chess play more than realized.

I am (somewhat) involved in a bit of social work/naturalization with convicted US - Caribbean deportees. You know, persons who have spent most of their lives in the US & have practically NO ties to their caribbean birthplace/family. Sent back because they were convicted for some crime.

It is striking how many of them play chess, 80% i estimate; and at a pretty decent level. 

Edit: 80% may be an exaggeration actually :)

I'm about three hours from St. Louis. Great chess club, and the World Chess Hall of Fame is here.

is Chicago good at chess