Chess tournaments in Florida: Where to look for the best ones?
Updated: Aug 26
Last updated: August 2026
Florida is a great place for chess lovers, hosting tournaments throughout the year for players of every level. Here's a verified guide to the state's major clubs and events. And if you'd like to sharpen your game first, why not try a trial lesson with a master at MM Chess Academy?
Florida Chess Tournament Calendar — 2026
August 22–23 — St. Petersburg Classic (chess tournament), St. Petersburg
September 5 — Jacksonville Chess Club First Saturday Quads
September 5–7 — Florida State Chess Championship (FCA), Melbourne
September 25–27 — CFCC Autumn Open & Scholastic (chess tournament), Kissimmee
October 16–18 — 4th Gulf Coast October Open (chess tournament), Estero, FL
November 13–15 — 24th Annual Turkey Bowl Chess Tournament, Fort Lauderdale
December 11–13 — National K-12 Chess Grade Championships, Orlando
Looking for tournaments in another state? Check our full tournament finder.
The official US Chess affiliate for Florida, organizing the state's core championships plus dozens of other tournaments statewide.
Florida State Championship — Sept 5–7, 2026, Melbourne
Florida State Senior Championship — The Villages
Florida State Scholastic Championship — Orlando
📍 Official source: floridachess.org/events
Offers chess classes, camps, clubs, and tournaments for students of all ages, affiliated with both US Chess and the FCA — including a Grand Prix Series, Regional Championships, and a State Championship each May.
📍 Official source: fsclchess.org
Founded in 1987, CFCC is one of Florida's most established tournament organizers, running a reliable quarterly open series at hotel venues in the Orlando area.
📍 Quick Facts
2026 Autumn Open: Sept 25–27 (3-day) / Sept 26–27 (2-day & Scholastic), Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Celebration, Kissimmee — $9,000 guaranteed prize fund
Official source: centralflchess.org
Offers tournaments, classes, and camps for chess players across Palm Beach County, including monthly PBC Quads and PBC Action events.
📍 Official source: palmbeachchess.com/floridachesstournaments
A US Chess and FCA affiliate running the South Florida Grand Prix, now in its 16th year, alongside major annual opens.
4th Annual Gulf Coast October Open — Oct 16–18, 2026, Fort Myers/Estero
13th Annual Summer Solstice Open — held each May in Fort Lauderdale
📍 Official source: bocachess.com
The oldest continuously active chess club in the United States, operating at the same downtown location since 1930. Players of the caliber of Bobby Fischer and Sammy Reshevsky have played there.
📍 Quick Facts
Location: 540 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Weekly events: Monday & Wednesday Afternoon Chess (casual, free), Friday Night Chess (rated)
Official source: stpetersburgchessclub.com
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit running First Saturday Quads monthly, USCF Dual-Rated (counts toward both Regular and Quick ratings).
📍 Quick Facts
Next event: First Saturday Quads, September 5, 2026 (44-player max)
Official source: jaxcc.org
Conclusion — Ready to Take Your Game to the Next Level?
Whether you're a beginner or a master, Florida offers chess tournaments to suit every level. At MM Chess Academy, every coach is a certified, master-titled player — National Masters, International Masters, Woman International Masters, and Olympiad team members among them — ranking in the top 0.1% worldwide. Founded by National Master Misha Vilenchuk, we've taught over 700 students, many of whom have gone on to win national competitions and earn their own Master titles.
Know of a Florida tournament we missed? Let us know and we'll keep this guide updated.
FAQ
When is the Florida State Chess Championship?
September 5–7, 2026, in Melbourne, organized by the Florida Chess Association.
What is the oldest chess club in Florida?
The St. Petersburg Chess Club, founded in the early 1930s — it's the oldest continuously active chess club in the entire United States, operating at the same downtown location since 1930.
Where can I find weekly chess tournaments near Jacksonville?
The Jacksonville Chess Club runs First Saturday Quads monthly, USCF Dual-Rated for both Regular and Quick ratings.
Is the Central Florida Chess Club still active?
Yes — CFCC, founded in 1987, runs a reliable quarterly open tournament series, including the 2026 Autumn Open, September 25–27 in Kissimmee.
What is the South Florida Grand Prix?
A long-running scholastic tournament series organized by the Boca Raton Chess Club, now in its 16th year.
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