Chess tournaments in Massachusetts: Where to look for the best ones?
- Sebastian Artigas
- Oct 25, 2023
- 12 min read
Updated: Oct 3
Massachusetts stands as a vibrant epicenter for competitive chess in the Northeastern United States, characterized by an exceptional density of historical institutions, elite collegiate clubs, and major state organizations. The 2025 competitive calendar reflects a robust landscape, emphasizing both elite, high-stakes Over-the-Board (OTB) championships and accessible grassroots tournaments designed for rapid player development. This comprehensive guide details the state of competitive play through late 2025 and into the anchoring events of early 2026, incorporating critical organizational changes and confirmed schedule data.
The current trend in Massachusetts competitive chess sees a strong commitment to establishing major regional tournaments as FIDE-rated events, drawing traveling professionals and raising the overall competitive bar. Furthermore, several key regional clubs have undergone strategic operational shifts, optimizing their schedules and locations to better serve distinct local communities. Players planning their competitive year through September 2025 must rely on verified updates regarding club locations, time controls, and the confirmed prize structures of flagship events.
The Massachusetts Open remains the most prestigious state championship for adult players. While the precise dates for the 2025/2026 cycle are often scheduled closer to the calendar year turnover, the event is historically known for offering a substantial prize fund, previously guaranteed at $10,000. This championship, typically divided into five or more sections (Championship, Under 2200, Under 2000, Under 1800, and Under 1600), acts as the high-water mark for competitive prize money within the Bay State’s annual schedule. Players are advised to monitor MACA’s official channels for the announcement of the 2026 iteration.
The Greater Boston Open is another pillar of the state's tournament circuit and is recognized as a USCF Heritage Event. The 90th annual running of this popular tournament is scheduled for Sunday, October 26, 2025. The tournament takes place at the Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center in Westford, MA. Structurally, it is organized as a 4-Round Swiss System, utilizing a time control of G/60, d5 (Game in 60 minutes with a 5-second delay). As a significant regional event, it is designated as a US Chess Enhanced Grand Prix tournament, awarding 15 points, thus attracting ambitious players from across New England.
The Scholastic Pipeline: Spiegel Cup and Hurvitz Cup
MACA is responsible for maintaining the scholastic competitive structure, primarily through the Spiegel Cup Qualifiers. These tournaments determine the participants for the highly selective Spiegel Cup Championship, the state title for youth players. MACA typically hosts four qualifiers annually, with sections structured by age groups: 8 & Under, 11 & Under, 14 & Under, and 18 & Under.
The culmination of this pipeline, the Spiegel Cup Championship, is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, for the K-3 Primary School section, held at the Boylston Chess Club in Boston. This specific championship is a 4-Round Swiss (G/60, d5) for invited players only, often composed of four qualifier winners and six top-rated players based on the May 1st USCF rating supplement. The strict time control and invitational nature of the K-3 Championship underscore MACA’s focus on providing a demanding test for the state’s emerging competitive talent.
The Hurvitz Cup continues to serve as the key state scholastic team tournament, structured for teams of four students in grades K-12. This event honors a former MACA leader and provides valuable competitive experience in a rapid, team-based format (typically 25 minutes plus 5 seconds per move).
New England Regional Collaboration and Elite Development
MACA frequently co-organizes or sanctions major regional events that serve as magnets for master-level players. The 84th New England Open Championship (NEO), a major US Chess Junior Grand Prix and Enhanced Grand Prix event, was held over the Labor Day weekend from August 30 to September 1, 2025, at Stonehill College in North Easton, MA. The tournament offered a guaranteed $5,000 prize fund across three main sections, with the Championship Section being FIDE rated and utilizing a classical time control of 6SS, 40/90, SD/30, d30. The New England Championship title is specifically awarded to the highest-scoring New England residents or students in each section, emphasizing the tournament’s regional importance.
A significant development in 2025 was the inaugural Masters vs. Challengers Invitational team match, held on September 21, 2025, in Burlington. This rapid match format (15 minutes + 10 seconds increment) pitted four of the state's Grandmasters and International Masters against four of the top up-and-coming National Masters and Candidate Masters. The implementation of this invitational format, complete with Lichess broadcasts and published PGNs, signifies MACA’s commitment to fostering the local elite scene. By providing structured, high-stakes challenges against titled opposition, the association directly supports the professional development of its most competitive players while simultaneously generating high-quality spectator content for the broader community.
You can find more information about their events on MACA Website and their Facebook Page.
The MetroWest Chess Club (MCC) has historically been one of the largest and most active chess clubs in Massachusetts. The club underwent a major operational restructuring in 2025, necessitating a substantial update to its meeting schedule and location.
Organizational Shift and Location Update
The club's previous meetings on Tuesday nights at the Natick Senior Center are obsolete as of 2025. The MetroWest Chess Club has relocated and shifted its operational schedule. MCC now meets every Wednesday night at the First Parish Church, 24 Vernon Street, Framingham, MA 01702. This relocation provides a dedicated, reliable space for chess activities outside of a municipal building schedule. The events generally begin at 7:30 PM.
This strategic decision by the MetroWest club to move to Framingham and switch to Wednesday evenings is rooted in competitive market positioning. By moving slightly further west and explicitly avoiding the traditional Tuesday evening slot, which is dominated by the Boylston Chess Club's popular Swiss series, MCC has strategically differentiated its offering. This action allows the club to serve a distinct suburban player base and avoid direct temporal competition with other major Boston-area institutions, thereby maximizing regional penetration and ensuring organizational stability in the long term.
Tournament Structure and Fees
MCC maintains a highly consistent schedule centered on classical OTB play. The Monthly Tournaments consist of four-round Swiss system events held over four consecutive weekly meetings. For instance, the July 2025 Monthly Tournament ran from Wednesday, July 9, 2025, to Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Time control typically features classical chess (e.g., G/90; d5).
The entry fee structure for these 2025 monthly Swiss tournaments is designed to incentivize membership: $32 for club members and $42 for non-members for the standard monthly event. The club typically hosts sections such as Open and Under 1700, though the exact rating splits can vary monthly.
MCC’s traditional Blitz Tournaments (fast-paced, 5-minute per player per game time control) and Quick Tournaments (rapid, 15-minute per player per game time control) continue to be regular features, now adhering to the new Wednesday night meeting time. Players should consult the club's event calendar for the specific weekly integration of these formats.
WMCA is a nonprofit chess organization that supports chess in Western Massachusetts. It runs the Western Massachusetts / Connecticut Valley Championship and the Western Massachusetts Scholastic Championship each year. It is affiliated with the United States Chess Federation (USCF) and the Massachusetts Chess Association (MACA). It also hosts various open and scholastic tournaments throughout the year at different venues in Western Massachusetts. Some of the tournaments that WMCA offers are:
7th Cumberland Fall Chess Fest: This is a one-day tournament that is open to players of all ages and ratings. It has four sections: Open, Under 1800, Under 1400, and Under 1000. The time control is played in 30 minutes with a 5-second delay. The entry fee is $30 for online registration or $35 for onsite registration. The prize fund is $1,000 based on 50 entries.
1st Nonotuck King’s Hunt: This is a one-day tournament that is open to players of all ages and ratings. It has one section with a time control of the game in 60 minutes with a 5-second delay. The entry fee is $25 for online registration or $30 for onsite registration. The prize fund is $500 based on 40 entries.
1st WMCA Senior Open Over 50: This is a one-day tournament that is open to players who are over 50 years old. It has one section with a time control of the game in 60 minutes with a 5-second delay. The entry fee is $25 for online registration or $30 for onsite registration. The prize fund is $500 based on 40 entries.
32nd Mid-Winter Classic: This is a one-day tournament that is open to players of all ages and ratings. It has four sections: Open, Under 1900, Under 1600, and Under 1300. The time control is played in 45 minutes with a 5-second delay. The entry fee is $35 for online registration or $40 for onsite registration. The prize fund is $1,500 based on 80 entries.
98th Western Massachusetts / Connecticut Valley Championship: This is a two-day tournament that determines the champion of Western Massachusetts and Connecticut Valley. It has one section with a time control of the game in 90 minutes with a 30-second increment. The entry fee is $50 for online registration or $60 for onsite registration. The prize fund is $2,000 based on 80 entries.
Chess tournaments in Boston, Worcester, & Cambridge
New England Scholastic Chess is a chess organization that focuses on providing chess opportunities for students in New England. It was founded in 2016 by Nicholas Sterling, a USCF National Master and chess coach. New England Scholastic Chess runs scholastic chess tournaments, camps, classes, and online activities. Some of the tournaments that New England Scholastic Chess offers are:
State OPEN Championship/Spiegel Cup Qualifier: A four-round Swiss tournament held on October 1 at Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center in Westford, MA. The tournament has four sections: High School (grades 9-12), Middle School (grades 6-8), Elementary (grades K-5), and Primary (grades K-3). The time control is 40 minutes with a 5-second increment per move. The prizes are trophies for the top three finishers in each section and medals for all participants.
NESSP Kids’ Chess Club: A weekly chess club held every Sunday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at New England Shirdi Sai Parivaar in Groton, MA. The club is open to students of all ages and levels. The club offers chess lessons, practice games, puzzles, and tournaments. The fee is $10 per session or $30 per month.
They offer weekly and monthly tournaments for all ages and skill levels! Don't forget to take a look at their calendar
Follow them on Facebook for updates and invitations
Chess tournaments in Boston, & Cambridge
The Boylston Chess Club (BCF), founded in 1919, is the largest and one of the oldest chess clubs in the country, located in downtown Boston. BCF structures its annual schedule to maximize both participation and high-level competition, often dividing the year into intensive OTB Swiss series and invitational championships.
The BCF Club Championship represents the pinnacle of club competition. In the 2025 cycle, this event is confirmed to run on Thursdays, from September 19 to November 14, 2025. This long-form event is a prestigious, invitation-only Round Robin (RR), utilizing a classical time control of 40/90 SD/20 d5. The club affirms its elite status by offering free entry for Grandmasters, International Masters, and club members rated 2200 or higher.
The club maintains a regular schedule of multi-week Swiss events. The October Tuesday Night Swiss is confirmed for four consecutive Tuesdays: October 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2025. This 4-Round Swiss (G/90 + 5) features sections such as Open, U1910, and U1510, with a prize fund of $400 based on 30 paid entries. The entry fee is $25 for BCF members and $40 for non-BCF members.
BCF also schedules rapid, focused events, such as the September Quads, confirmed for Saturday, September 13, 2025. These events are 3-Round Round Robins (3RR) grouped by rating (G/65 d10). Additionally, the popular
Unrated Friday Night Blitz is confirmed for Friday, October 3, 2025, running as a 6-Round Swiss (G/5 d0), which returns 80% of entry fees as prizes. This event is specifically designated as unrated, meaning a USCF membership is not required, making it highly accessible for casual players.
A critical policy supporting competitive growth at the BCF is the allowance for highly rated players to "play up" one section if their rating is within 200 points of the lower section maximum. This rule creates a structured pathway for aspiring players (e.g., a strong 1750 player challenging themselves in the U1910 section) to face progressively stronger competition without having to wait for a new rating supplement to officially qualify. This approach ensures the BCF remains a dynamic and stimulating environment for continuous competitive development.
You can join their Facebook group to get updates and interact with the community
Chess tournaments in Boston, & Worcester
The Wachusett Chess Club, serving the north-central part of the state since 1960, continues to be a cornerstone of OTB play. The club meets every Wednesday night at the Fitchburg State University campus, specifically within the McKay Complex.
The primary annual competitive cycle, which includes the multi-round Wachusett Chess Club Championship and the Ernest E. Fandreyer Memorial Tournament, begins its 2025 season on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The preferred time control for these standard events is Game/90 with a 5-second delay. Participation in these rated events requires both a current USCF membership and annual Wachusett CC dues ($20).
You can find more information about the Wachusett Chess Club and its tournaments on its website or on its Facebook page.
Chess tournaments in Worcester
The Your Move Chess Club in Worcester serves as a vital entry point for players of all levels in Central Massachusetts. Unlike the structured university settings, this club thrives on accessibility and community presence.
The club meets every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a dedicated, high-visibility venue:
Acoustic Java, 6 Brussels St, Worcester, MA 01610. The club’s decision to meet in a high-traffic, public coffee shop ensures maximum visibility and minimizes the intimidation factor often associated with competitive clubs. This open location makes Your Move a critical and accessible social hub for new players before they transition to longer time control events.
Your Move runs its annual, long-form Club Championship (September to June) and a popular monthly Blitz tournament, typically held on the last Sunday of each month (G/5 with no increment).
Chess tournaments in Cambridge
Harvard Chess Club
The Harvard Chess Club is a chess club affiliated with Harvard University in Cambridge. The club is open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the university, as well as community members. The club meets every Friday night from 7 pm to 10 pm at the Harvard SOCH building in Cambridge. The club hosts USCF-rated tournaments, as well as casual games, lectures, simul exhibitions, and chess classes. Some of the tournaments that the club offers are:
Harvard Fall Open: An annual open tournament held in November at the Harvard SOCH building in Cambridge. The tournament has four sections: Open, Under 2000, Under 1600, and Under 1200. The time control is 40 minutes with a 5-second increment per move. The entry fee is $25 for students and $35 for non-students. The prizes are cash prizes for the top three finishers in each section and trophies for the top student finisher in each section.
Harvard Winter Scholastic: An annual scholastic tournament held in February at the Harvard SOCH building in Cambridge. The tournament has four sections: High School (grades 9-12), Middle School (grades 6-8), Elementary (grades K-5), and Primary (grades K-3). The time control is 30 minutes with a 5-second increment per move. The entry fee is $15 for students and $20 for non-students. The prizes are trophies for the top three finishers in each section and medals for all participants.
You can find Harvard Chess Club Lichess tournaments here.
MIT Chess Club
The MIT Chess Club meets regularly, offering casual games, lectures, and exhibitions. A confirmed weekly social meeting, which includes provided dinner, is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025, running from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The commitment of the MIT club to providing free resources, such as dinner , demonstrates a focus on community building and student retention, serving as a valuable social hub that complements the formal competitive tournaments elsewhere in the region. While the MIT Fall Open (October) and Winter Scholastic (January) are traditional annual events, players should verify the precise 2025/2026 OTB tournament dates directly through the club’s website or social media channels.
You can find more information about their events on their website or follow them on Facebook.
In the southeastern region, chess activity is supported by regional associations that often bridge Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Southeast New England Chess Association (SENECA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that organizes events for youth and adult players across both states.
Ocean State Chess Association (OSCA) frequently collaborates on key regional tournaments. As noted previously, OSCA was a critical partner in the organization of the 84th New England Open Championship at Stonehill College in North Easton, MA. Beyond high-level opens, these organizations also prioritize community events, such as the Waters Free Chess Tournament held in North Attleborough, MA, on Saturday, July 12, 2025, which promoted free play and community engagement.
Conclusion
Massachusetts is a state that has a rich chess culture and history. You can find a variety of chess institutions that cater to players of all ages and levels. Whether you want to play scholastic, open, blitz, quick, or beginner tournaments, there is a place for you in the Bay State. So grab your chess set and get ready to join the chess community in Massachusetts. We hope this overview of each institution and the tournaments they offer regularly has helped you choose the one that fits your needs and preferences best.
Other options
Ocean State Chess
Info about its tournaments at MACA’s website.
Ocean State Chess is a chess organization that promotes chess in Rhode Island and nearby areas. It was founded in 2017 by David Harris, a USCF National Master and chess coach. Ocean State Chess organizes various chess events, such as tournaments, camps, classes, lectures, simul exhibitions, and online activities. Some of the tournaments that Ocean State Chess offers are:
Cumberland Fall Chess Fest: A four-round Swiss tournament held on October 21 at Cumberland High School in Cumberland, RI, which is about 30 miles from Worcester. The tournament has four sections: Open, Under 1800, Under 1400, and Under 1000. The time control is 40 minutes with a 5-second increment per move. The entry fee is $25 if paid by October 18 or $30 at the door. The prizes are trophies for the top three finishers in each section and medals for all participants.
Brookline BLITZ Championship Tournament: A six-round Swiss blitz tournament held on October 22 at Brookline High School in Brookline, MA, which is about 40 miles from Worcester. The tournament has two sections: Open and Under 1400. The time control is 5 minutes with no increment. The entry fee is $20 if paid by October 19 or $25 at the door. The prizes are cash prizes for the top three finishers in each section and medals for all participants.
Springfield City Chess Club
Missouri State University Chess Club
SGCPB Chess Club
Phelps Chess Club
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