Are you a chess aficionado who lives in Iowa or plans to visit the state soon? Do you want to improve your chess skills and have a blast with other chess players? If so, you are in for a treat! Iowa has a lively chess community with many chess tournaments for players of all levels and ages. In this guide, we will present you with some of the best chess tournaments in Iowa, where to find them, how to register, and what to expect. Whether you are looking for a serious or a casual event, you will find something that matches your interest and level. Let’s get going!
The Iowa State Chess Association or just Iowa Chess is the official state affiliate of the United States Chess Federation (USCF). It organizes and supports chess activities throughout the state, including the Iowa State Championship, the Iowa Open, and the Iowa Scholastic Championship. Iowa Chess also publishes a quarterly newsletter, the Iowa Chess En Passant, that features news, articles, games, and puzzles from the Iowa chess community. You can visit their website to learn more about their events, membership, and resources. Some of the regular tournaments held by Iowa Chess are:
Iowa Girls Championship: A tournament for female chess players of all ages and skill levels, held annually in March at Christ the King Church in Iowa City.
Iowa Senior Qualifier: A tournament for chess players aged 50 and above, held annually in March at Christ the King Church in Iowa City.
Des Moines Area Chess Scholastic Tournament: A tournament for K-12 students, held monthly at various locations in the Des Moines area.
Iowa State Chess Championship: A tournament for chess players of all ages and skill levels, held annually in August at various locations in Iowa.
Iowa Quick Chess Championship: A tournament for chess players of all ages and skill levels, held annually in August at various locations in Iowa, with a faster time control than the regular championship.
Chess in Iowa is a non-profit organization that promotes chess education and outreach in the Cedar Rapids area. It runs several scholastic and all-ages tournaments throughout the year, as well as chess camps, clubs, and lessons. Chess in Iowa also partners with local schools, libraries, and community centers to provide chess equipment and instruction. You can visit their website to learn more about their programs, events, and donations. Some of the regular tournaments held by Chess in Iowa are:
Ice Harbor Scholastic Open: A tournament for K-12 students, held annually in January at the Grand River Center in Dubuque.
Prairie Fall and Winter Classics: A series of tournaments for K-12 students, held in September and December at Prairie Point Middle School in Cedar Rapids.
Cedar Rapids Open: A tournament for chess players of all ages and skill levels, held annually in February at the Cedar Rapids Marriott.
Cedar Rapids Leather Jackets: A tournament for chess players of all ages and skill levels, held annually in June at the Cedar Rapids Marriott.
Chess tournaments in Des Moines
The Des Moines Bridge Center is a place where you can play both bridge and chess. It hosts several chess tournaments throughout the year, organized by the Des Moines Area Chess Club. Some of the chess tournaments that you can join are:
Des Moines Area Chess Scholastic Tournament: This is a tournament for students in grades K-12. The tournament has four sections: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. The entry fee is $15 per player. The tournament is rated by the US Chess Federation (USCF), and the top three players in each section will receive trophies.
Iowa Barber/Denker/Rockefeller Qualifier: This is a tournament for the best junior players in Iowa. The tournament has three sections: Barber (K-8), Denker (9-12), and Rockefeller (Girls K-12). The winners of each section will represent Iowa at the national tournaments. The entry fee is $40 per player. The tournament is rated by the USCF, and the top three players in each section will receive scholarships.
Iowa Scholastic Individual-Play Team Championships: This is a tournament for teams of four players from the same school. The tournament has four sections: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. The entry fee is $60 per team. The tournament is rated by the USCF, and the top three teams in each section will receive trophies.
Chess tournaments in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Chess Club is an all-ages chess club that meets every Wednesday evening from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Downtown Public Library in Beems A Auditorium. The club welcomes chess players of all skill levels, from beginners to experts, and offers casual games, tournaments, lectures, and books. The club also has a Chess.com account and a Chessable Pro membership that members can access for free. Some of the chess tournaments that Cedar Rapids Chess Club offers are:
CRCC Ladder: This is a USCF rated tournament, where each player is assigned a rank and can challenge higher-ranked players to improve their position. The ladder is updated weekly and the winner is determined at the end of the year. The entry fee is free for club members and $5 for non-members. The prize fund is $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place.
CRCC Open: This is a USCF rated open tournament, with 4 rounds and a time control of G/60 +5. It will take place on April 14, 2024, at the same location as the club meetings. The entry fee is $25 if received by April 7, 2024, or $35 afterward, and $40 on-site. The prize fund is $500 based on 20 entries, with $200 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place. There are also class prizes for U1800, U1600, and U1400.
For more info about the Cedar Rapids Chess Club you can visit their Facebook page or the Chess in Iowa website.
Other options:
The library occasionally hosts casual chess tournaments and events, perfect for beginners and social play. Check their calendar for upcoming dates.
Conclusion
We appreciate your time and attention to this guide and hope you found it useful and informative. As you can see, Iowa has a lot to offer to chess players of all levels and ages. There are many chess tournaments in the state that you can attend and have fun.