Chess tournaments in Indiana: Where to look for the best ones?
Updated: Sep 22
Last updated: August 2026
Looking for chess tournaments in Indiana? From the Indiana Chess Congress's $15,000 prize fund to a dense scholastic circuit run by Scholastic Chess of Indiana, the Hoosier State keeps its chess community busy year-round. And if you'd like to sharpen your game first, why not try a trial lesson with a master at MM Chess Academy?
Indiana Chess Tournament Calendar — 2026–2027
Event | Date | Location | Prize Fund | Source |
Around National Chess Day (October) | Indiana | — | US Chess | |
One Day: Two Tournaments (free, arena-style) | Thanksgiving weekend | Indiana | Free | US Chess |
3rd Annual B-Town Blizzard Scholastic & Open | Winter 2026 | Indiana | $1,000 | US Chess |
2026 | Francis North Campus Building | — | US Chess | |
March 12–14, 2027 | Indianapolis area | $15,000 | US Chess / ISCA | |
Recurring: Weekly Tuesday Chess Night | Weekly | Indianapolis | — | ISCA |
Recurring: Monthly Logansport Donley Chess Club | 2nd Tue (rapid), 4th Tue (blitz) monthly | Logansport | — | ISCA |
Recurring: Three Tables Chess & Louisville Chess Returns | Ongoing | New Albany, IN | — | ISCA |
Looking for tournaments in another state? Check our full tournament finder.
The state's official US Chess affiliate, led by ISCA President FM Lester VanMeter. ISCA runs the flagship Indiana Chess Congress & State Championship every March — a Heritage Event and Grand Prix tournament with a $15,000 prize fund. ISCA membership is just $15/year and gets you a discount on entry.
📍 Official source: indianachess.org | Full events calendar
The main organizer of Indiana's K-12 scholastic tournament circuit, awarding three scholarships each year. Key events include the SCI Individual Regionals (Evansville, Hammond, Terre Haute, Warsaw), SCI Individual Championships (Pike High School, Indianapolis), SCI Team Regionals and Championships, and the SCIGirls Championship (Jeffersonville).
📍 Official source: scichess.org | Tournament calendar
Chess Tournaments in Indianapolis
BC Chess Club — one of Indianapolis's oldest and most active clubs.
Greenwood Chess Club — welcomes new members, regular tournaments and classes.
IUPUI Chess Club — student-run, open to the public via open house sessions.
Hoosier Chess Academy and CYO Chess — additional scholastic organizers listed on ISCA's calendar.
Indianapolis's main scholastic and adult chess organizer, running regular tournaments across multiple school and community venues.
Scholastic Sunday — USCF-rated, three-round Swiss (G/25+5) for grades K-12, held the 4th Sunday of every month, rotating between St. Thomas Aquinas School Gym (4600 N Illinois St) and St. Monica School Gym (6131 Michigan Rd). Entry fee $10; USCF membership required ($20/year scholastic).
Fischer Random Rumble — a Chess960 (Fischer Random) event, unrated, two sections split by USCF rating, four rounds starting 6:30 PM. Entry fee $20 for Indy Chess members / $25 non-members.
Crossroads Open — a bigger annual event; the 2026 edition's Scholastic Sunday component ran May 31 at the Indiana Convention Center, Room 205, with five sections (Premiere 1000+, 12th & Under, 6th & Under, 3rd & Under, Casual/Unrated).
📍 Quick Facts
Indy Chess membership (optional, separate from USCF): $50/year/student or $75/year/family — gets $5 discounts on Tuesday Weekly, Scholastic Sunday, camps, and workshops
Official source: indychess.org/events
Chess Tournaments in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne Chess Club — downtown, open Saturdays 2–6 PM, monthly USCF-rated tournaments.
Three Rivers Chess Club — brings USCF-rated chess to Northeast Indiana, running events at the Allen County Public Library.
Chess Tournaments in Evansville
Evansville Scholastic Chess Club — organizes the Indiana State Scholastic Championship and Indiana State High School Championship.
Evansville Chess Club — community-based, weekly meetups.
University of Evansville Chess Club — competes in the National Collegiate Championship and American Continental Championship.
Tri-City Chess Club — community club competing in the Tri-City Open and USCF Online League.
Coach Logan Chess — serving Evansville, Newburgh, and surrounding areas.
More Indiana Chess Clubs
Saint Joseph Grade School (South Bend) — a strong scholastic chess program open K-12 and to adults.
Carmel Chess Club — meets Mondays and Sundays (K-10 focus on Sundays).
Summit Chess Club (Carmel) — weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly events across Championship, Rapid, and Blitz formats.
Conclusion — Ready to Take Your Game to the Next Level?
From a $15,000 state championship to a busy scholastic circuit spanning Evansville to Fort Wayne, Indiana's chess community is more active than its size suggests. 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.
FAQ
When is the Indiana Chess Congress?
The 2027 edition runs March 12–14 with a $15,000 prize fund — Indiana's flagship annual tournament, organized by the Indiana State Chess Association.
Who organizes Indiana's scholastic chess tournaments?
Scholastic Chess of Indiana (SCI), which runs Individual and Team Regionals across four cities before state finals in Indianapolis and Hammond.
Is there a girls-only chess tournament in Indiana?
Yes — the SCIGirls Championship, held at Jeffersonville High School, open to any K-12 girl residing in Indiana.
Where can I find weekly chess in Indianapolis?
IndyChess runs regular club meetings and Scholastic Sunday Tournaments at the Latvian Community Center.
Is there chess for college students in Indiana?
Yes — both the IUPUI Chess Club and the University of Evansville Chess Club are active, with Evansville competing nationally.
Comments