Chess Tournaments Near Me: Find Events in Your State
Searching for "chess tournaments near me"? You're in the right place. Instead of a single generic list, we've built a detailed, verified guide for every U.S. state — real tournament names, dates, and venues, kept current all year round.
How to Use This Guide
New to tournaments and not sure what to expect? Read our guide on how to find and join a local chess tournament first.
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Find your state in the list below and click through to its full guide.
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Each state page includes a full-year tournament calendar — not just "upcoming," but the whole year's rhythm, so you can plan ahead
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Look for the "Where to Play Regularly" section on each page for weekly and monthly club-level events — the easiest way to get your first rated game in
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New to tournament chess? Try a trial lesson with an MM Chess Master first — a little coaching goes a long way before your first rated event
Browse Chess Tournaments by State
Pacific Standard Time
Mountain Standard Time
West North Central
East North Central
West South Central
Mid Atlantic Central
East South Central
South Atlantic
How to find a tournament that fits you:
01.
Rated or unrated?
Many tournaments are USCF-rated and others just casual play
02.
Age groups
Have in mind your corresponding age group before joining.
03.
Material
Does the institution provide clocks and sets?
Join our monthly online tournaments
Over 50 kids rated 600-1600 participate in our monthly tournaments, free for all of our students and guided live by our head coach.
How do our tournaments work?
Guided live via Zoom
Regular online tournaments feel like playing against a TV. In ours you can be guided by our head coach, and interact directly with other players (mostly kids aged 8-14)
Meet some new pals
Peanut butter without jelly, Scooby without Doo? Chess without friends feels this way too. Come on join us!
Stay engaged
No effective learning experience comes without implementing what's been learned, tournaments are an opportunity for this!
Check out other guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do chess lessons cost?
Costs vary widely by coach and format — group lessons are typically more affordable than private one-on-one coaching. See our current lesson plans for exact pricing.
How much does a chess coach cost?
Master-titled coaches (National Master, International Master, and above) generally charge more than untitled instructors, reflecting their tournament experience and teaching credentials. Meet our chess tutors to see coach backgrounds and rates.
How do I find a beginner-friendly chess tournament near me?
Look for events labeled "Unrated," "Scholastic," or with a low-rated section (like Under 800) — every state guide above flags these clearly.
Do I need a US Chess membership to play in a tournament?
Most official, rated tournaments require one — it's usually inexpensive and can often be purchased the same day at the tournament.