Indiana is a state that loves chess. From the legendary Hoosier Chess Tour to the annual Indiana State Chess Championship, Indiana has a vibrant and active chess scene that attracts players of all ages and levels. However, not much is known about Indiana’s chess tournaments. In this guide, we aim to fill this gap by providing you with comprehensive and systematic research about chess tournaments in Indiana.
The Indiana State Chess Association is an independent organization that aims to popularize chess in the state of Indiana, including Evansville. They keep track of major chess-related events, maintain a database of active groups, and organize tournaments in various locations. They also offer resources such as books, magazines, videos, puzzles, lessons, and articles for chess enthusiasts of all levels. You can check out their website for more details about their activities.
Scholastic Chess of Indiana is the main organizer of the SCI tournaments. SCI awards three scholarships each year to the winners of the individual championships, which honor great scholastic chess players of the past1. SCI also provides resources and support for chess clubs and coaches in Indiana. SCI has a tournament calendar where you can find more information about their events, rules, and registration.
Some of the SCI tournaments are:
SCI Individual Regional: This is a qualifying tournament for the SCI Individual Championships. There are four regional locations: Evansville, Hammond, Terre Haute, and Warsaw. The tournament is open to any K-12 student who is a resident of Indiana. The tournament has eight sections based on grade and rating. The top players in each section advance to the state finals. The tournament is USCF rated and has an entry fee of $25.
SCI Individual Championships: This is the state finals for the SCI Individual Regional. The tournament is held at Pike High School in Indianapolis. The tournament has the same eight sections as the regional tournament. The winners of each section receive a trophy and a scholarship. The tournament is USCF rated and has an entry fee of $30.
SCI Team Regional: This is a qualifying tournament for the SCI Team Championships. There are four regional locations: Goshen, Hammond, Jeffersonville, and Terre Haute. The tournament is open to any K-12 team that is affiliated with a school or a chess club in Indiana. The tournament has four sections based on grade: 3U, 6U, 8U, and 12U. The top teams in each section advance to the state finals. The tournament is USCF rated and has an entry fee of $60 per team.
SCI Team Championships: This is the state finals for the SCI Team Regional. The tournament is held at Morton High School in Hammond. The tournament has the same four sections as the regional tournament. The winners of each section receive a trophy and a plaque. The tournament is USCF rated and has an entry fee of $80 per team.
SCIGirls Championships: This is a special tournament for girls only. The tournament is held at Jeffersonville High School in Jeffersonville. The tournament is open to any K-12 girl who is a resident of Indiana. The tournament has four sections based on grade: 3U, 6U, 8U, and 12U. The winners of each section receive a trophy and a medal. The tournament is USCF rated and has an entry fee of $15.
Chess tournaments in Indianapolis
Indy Chess Club & Scholastic Center is the main venue for Indy Chess’s activities. It is located at Latvian Community Center, 1008 W 64th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260. The center has a spacious and comfortable playing area, chess sets and clocks, and a library of chess books and magazines. The center is open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Some of the chess tournaments that Indy Chess Club & Scholastic Center hosts or participates in are:
Weekly Chess Night: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the center invites chess players of all levels to join their weekly chess night. You can play casual games, learn from experienced players, or join one of their mini-tournaments. The weekly chess night is free and open to everyone.
Scholastic Sunday Tournament: Every first Sunday of the month from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the center organizes a scholastic tournament for students in grades K-12. The tournament is USCF-rated and has four sections based on grade level. The entry fee is $15 for Indy Chess members and $20 for non-members, and there are trophies and medals for the winners. You can register online or on-site.
Fischer Random Rumble: Every second Thursday of the month from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the center hosts a Fischer Random (also known as Chess960) tournament for players who want to try a different and exciting variant of chess. The tournament is USCF-rated and has one open section. The entry fee is $10 for Indy Chess members and $15 for non-members, and there are cash prizes for the winners. You can register online or on-site.
Indy Chess Open: Every year in April, the center holds the Indy Chess Open, a major chess tournament that attracts players from all over the state and beyond. The tournament is USCF-rated and has three sections based on rating: Open, U1800, and U1400. The entry fee is $50 for Indy Chess members and $60 for non-members, and there are generous cash prizes for the winners. You can register online or on-site.
More info at X and Facebook page
The B C Chess Club is one of the oldest and most active chess clubs in Indianapolis. It offers regular tournaments, classes, and other events for players of all levels. You can join the club as a member or as a guest and participate in their friendly and fun activities. The club also hosts special events such as blitz tournaments, scholastic tournaments, and social gatherings. You can find more information about the club on their Facebook page.
The Greenwood Chess Club is a group of chess enthusiasts who always welcome new members. It offers tournaments, classes, and other events for players of all levels, including those in Indianapolis. The club has a large membership base and a diverse range of players.
The IUPUI Chess Club is run by the students of the university. Its mission is to stimulate self-improvement through chess training. The club organizes regular tournaments, workshops, lectures, and social events for its members. You can join the club by becoming an IUPUI student or by attending one of their open house sessions. You can find more information about the club on the Indiana State Chess Association website.
Chess tournaments in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne Chess Club
Fort Wayne Chess Club is a chess club located in downtown Fort Wayne, at 111 W Berry St1. The club is open every Saturday from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and welcomes chess players of all ages and skill levels. The club hosts monthly USCF-rated tournaments, as well as casual games and chess lessons.
Some of the upcoming tournaments at Fort Wayne Chess Club are:
Fort Wayne Chess Club Championship: A four-round Swiss tournament with a time control of 40/90, SD/30, d5. The tournament will take place on April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2024. The entry fee is $20 for club members and $25 for non-members. The prizes are based on entries.
Fort Wayne Chess Club Quick Chess: A five-round Swiss tournament with a time control of G/15, d3. The tournament will take place on May 5, 2024. The entry fee is $10 for club members and $15 for non-members. The prizes are based on entries.
To register for these tournaments, you can contact the club at (260) 515-2888 or visit their Facebook page
Three Rivers Chess Club
Three Rivers Chess Club is another chess club based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The club aims to bring USCF-rated chess to Northeast Indiana, and organizes tournaments at various locations in the city. The club has a Facebook page where you can find the latest updates on their events.
Some of the upcoming tournaments at Three Rivers Chess Club are:
Three Rivers Spring Open: A four-round Swiss tournament with two sections: Open and U1600. The time control is 40/90, SD/30, d5. The tournament will take place on March 31, 2024, at the Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. The entry fee is $35 if paid by March 29, or $40 on site. The prizes are $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place in each section, plus class prizes.
Three Rivers Blitz Championship: A double-round robin tournament with a time control of G/5, d0. The tournament will take place on April 28, 2024, at the same location as the Spring Open. The entry fee is $20 if paid by April 26, or $25 on site. The prizes are $150 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place, plus rating prizes.
To register for these tournaments, you can email the club at threeriverschess@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.
Chess tournaments in Evansville
This organization brings together numerous local school-based and youth-oriented clubs. Based in Evansville, they organize tournaments, master classes, and other chess-related events in the area. They also provide coaching and mentoring for young players who want to pursue their chess careers. The organization hosts several scholastic tournaments throughout the year such as the Indiana State Scholastic Championship (ISSC) and the Indiana State High School Championship (ISHSC). You can find more information about their upcoming events on their website.
The Evansville Chess Club is a community-based chess club that meets weekly to play chess, socialize, and learn from each other. The club is open to players of all levels and ages. You can join them for casual play, practice sessions, or competitive tournaments. The club also organizes special events such as scholastic chess tournaments, blitz tournaments, and themed nights. The club meets at 2960 Covert Ave, Evansville, IN 47714.
The University of Evansville Chess Club meets on campus and is open to all students. Join them for casual play, practice sessions, and competitive tournaments. The club also participates in regional and national events such as the National Collegiate Championship (NCC) and the American Continental Championship (ACC). The club meets at 1800 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47722.
This community-based chess club welcomes local enthusiasts of all ages, regardless of their skill. They meet regularly to play and hang out with fellow chess fans. They also host social events such as movie nights, potlucks, and game nights. The club also competes in local and online tournaments such as the Tri-City Open and the USCF Online League. The club meets at 4701 Lincoln Ave Evansville, IN 47715.
Chess tournaments in South Bend
Saint Joseph Grade School is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in South Bend. It also has a strong chess program that hosts several tournaments throughout the year. The school’s chess club is open to students from kindergarten to 12th grade, as well as adults who want to join. The club meets every Wednesday from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the school’s library. The club also participates in local and national tournaments, such as the South Bend Fall Tournament organized by US Chess.org.
Chess tournaments inCarmel
The Carmel chess club
The chess club members meet mostly on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm every week. They also meet on Sunday, starting from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The Sunday meeting is always meant for the grades K-10 members. To join the club, you must register, especially for the fall/spring sessions. The club also welcomes all levels of players.
You can find more info about their events at their Facebook page or Instagram.
Carmel Chess Club Tournament is an online chess tournament that is organized by Carmel Chess Tournament’s on lichess.org. The tournament is open to all chess players, and does not require a USCF membership or a fee. The tournament format is Swiss, with a time control of 10 minutes per game. The tournament is held on the last Friday of every month, and the prizes are virtual trophies and medals. The tournament is not USCF rated, but uses the lichess.org rating system.
Summit Chess Club is a community-based chess club that meets weekly to play chess, socialize, and learn from each other. The club is open to players of all levels and ages. You can join them for casual play, practice sessions, or competitive tournaments. The club also organizes special events such as scholastic chess tournaments, blitz tournaments, and themed nights. Some of the tournaments that Summit Chess Club organizes are:
Summit Chess Club Championship: A monthly tournament that determines the club champion. The format is a 4-round Swiss with a time control of G/90+30. The entry fee is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. The prizes are based on the number of entries and the rating sections.
Summit Chess Club Rapid: A bi-weekly tournament that features fast and fun chess. The format is a 5-round Swiss with a time control of G/15+10. The entry fee is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. The prizes are based on the number of entries and the rating sections.
Summit Chess Club Blitz: A weekly tournament that tests your chess skills and reflexes. The format is a 9-round Swiss with a time control of G/3+2. The entry fee is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. The prizes are based on the number of entries and the rating sections.
The club meets at 1000 Summit Blvd #101A, Carmel, IN 46032.
Other options:
Evansville, Indiana, Newburgh and Surrounding Areas
Conclusion
Chess education is a valuable and rewarding activity that can enhance the learning and development of students in Indiana. Chess tournaments are one of the ways to provide students with opportunities to practice and showcase their chess skills, as well as to interact with peers and mentors. We hope that this guide will inspire and inform chess students' parents and enthusiasts in Indiana to continue and expand their efforts to promote chess as a tool for education and empowerment.