Hawaii is a beautiful state with a rich chess culture. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, you can find many opportunities to play chess in Hawaii. In this guide, we will introduce you to some of the chess institutions and tournaments in Hawaii, especially on the island of Oahu.
The Hawaii Chess Federation (HCF) is the official state affiliate of the United States Chess Federation (USCF). It is a non-profit organization that organizes and promotes chess activities on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Hawaii. The HCF also runs the Hawaii State Open & Blitz Championships, which is an annual event that attracts players of all ages and skill levels. Some of the tournaments that the HCF offers regularly are:
Hawaii State Open & Blitz Championships: This is an open event that all ages can participate in. It usually occurs from September 5th to the 7th. The tournament consists of two sections: the Open section, which is open to all players, and the Reserve section, which is for players rated under 1800. The time control is 40/90, SD/30, d10 for the Open section and G/60, d5 for the Reserve section. The Blitz Championship is a separate event that takes place on the last day of the tournament. The time control is G/5, d0. The tournament is held at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.
Hawaii State Girls and Seniors Championship: This is a one-day event that takes place on May 28th. It is open to girls and seniors (age 50 and above) who are residents of Hawaii. The tournament is divided into two sections: the Girls section and the Seniors section. The time control is G/60, d5. The tournament is held at the Washington Middle School in Honolulu.
Hawaii Scholastic and Open: This is a one-day event that takes place in March. It is open to students in grades K-12 and adults. The tournament is divided into four sections: the K-3 section, the K-6 section, the K-12 section, and the Open section. The time control is G/30, d5 for the scholastic sections and G/60, d5 for the Open section. The tournament is held at the Washington Middle School in Honolulu.
The Hawaii Chess Ohana is a chess club that hosts chess meetups and events on Oahu. It is a friendly and welcoming community of chess players who enjoy playing chess in various locations around the island. The Hawaii Chess Ohana also organizes the World Chess Festival, which is a four-day event that features chess tournaments, lectures, simuls, and exhibitions. Some of the events that the Hawaii Chess Ohana offers regularly are:
World Chess Festival: This is a four-day event that takes place from December 28th to 31st. It is open to players of all ages and skill levels. The festival features several tournaments, such as the Hawaii Open, the Hawaii Blitz, the Hawaii Bughouse, and the Hawaii Rapid. The festival also features lectures by grandmasters, simuls by masters, exhibitions by chess artists, and other chess-related activities. The festival is held at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.
Oahu Chess Meetups: These are weekly or biweekly events that take place at various locations on Oahu, such as Pearlridge Center, Ka Makana Alii, South Shore Market, and Kailua McDonald’s. The meetups are casual and informal, and anyone can join and play chess for free. The meetups usually start at 6 pm and last until 9 pm. The meetups are a great way to meet other chess players, practice your skills, and have fun.
2023 Memorial Day Tournament - Hawaii Chess Ohana
The University of Hawaii at Manoa Chess Club is a student organization that promotes chess on campus and in the community. It is open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the university, as well as anyone who loves chess. The club hosts weekly meetings, casual games, lectures, workshops, and social events. The club also participates in local and national tournaments, such as the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship. Some of the tournaments that the club offers regularly are:
UH Manoa Chess Club Championship: This is an annual event that takes place in April. It is open to all members of the club and anyone who wants to join. The tournament is a round-robin format, with each player playing one game against every other player. The time control is G/90, d5. The winner of the tournament is crowned as the club champion and receives a trophy and a cash prize.
UH Manoa Chess Club Open: This is a monthly event that takes place on the last Saturday of every month. It is open to anyone who wants to play chess, regardless of skill level or affiliation. The tournament is a Swiss system format, with four rounds of play. The time control is G/30, d5. The top three finishers receive cash prizes, and the best UH Manoa student receives a free membership to the club.
Heather’s Chess Friends is a chess club that was founded by Heather Hasse, a USCF expert and a chess teacher. The club is dedicated to providing a fun and friendly environment for chess players of all ages and abilities. The club offers chess lessons, camps, clinics, and tournaments for kids and adults. The club also organizes chess trips and events, such as the Hawaii Chess Festival and the Hawaii Chess Cruise. Some of the tournaments that the club offers regularly are:
Heather’s Chess Friends Scholastic Tournament: This is a quarterly event that takes place in January, April, July, and October. It is open to students in grades K-12 who are enrolled in Heather’s Chess Friends programs or schools. The tournament is divided into four sections: the K-3 section, the K-6 section, the K-9 section, and the K-12 section. The time control is G/25, d5. The top three players in each section receive trophies, medals, and certificates.
Heather’s Chess Friends Adult Tournament: This is a biannual event that takes place in June and December. It is open to anyone who is 18 years or older and has a USCF rating of 1800 or below. The tournament is a Swiss system format, with five rounds of play. The time control is G/60, d5. The top three finishers receive cash prizes, and the best unrated player receives a free USCF membership.
Hawaii Phoenix Chess is a chess club that was founded by Robert Keough, a USCF master and a chess organizer. The club aims to fill the void of competitive chess in Hawaii and to support, promote, and provide professional chess services to the community. The club hosts monthly tournaments, chess camps, chess lessons, and chess parties. The club also participates in local and national events, such as the Hawaii State Open and the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship. Some of the tournaments that the club offers regularly are:
Hawaii Phoenix Chess Saturday Action: This is a monthly event that takes place on the second Saturday of every month. It is open to players of all ages and skill levels. The tournament is a five-round Swiss system format, with a time control of G/25, d5. The tournament is held at 2752 Henry St in Honolulu. The top three finishers receive cash prizes, and the best UH Manoa student receives a free membership to the club.
Hawaii Phoenix Chess Scholastic and Open: This is a quarterly event that takes place in March, June, September, and December. It is open to students in grades K-12 and adults. The tournament is divided into four sections: the K-3 section, the K-6 section, the K-9 section, and the Open section. The time control is G/30, d5 for the scholastic sections and G/60, d5 for the Open section. The tournament is held at the Princess Ruth Ke’elikolani Middle School auditorium in Honolulu. The top three players in each section receive trophies, medals, and certificates.
Conclusion
Hawaii is a paradise for chess lovers, as it offers many opportunities to play chess in a beautiful and diverse environment. Whether you are looking for a serious tournament, a casual game, or a fun event, you can find it in Hawaii. If you are interested in joining any of the chess institutions or tournaments mentioned in this guide, you can visit their websites or Facebook pages for more information and registration. We hope you enjoy playing chess in Hawaii!