Chess tournaments in Pennsylvania: Where to look for the best ones?
- Sebastian Artigas
- Jan 31, 2024
- 12 min read
Updated: Oct 3
Pennsylvania is a state that has a vibrant and active chess community, with many organizations, schools, and clubs that encourage and sponsor chess events. In this research, we will examine the chess tournaments in Pennsylvania state, their features, participants, and results. We will also assess the challenges and opportunities of chess tournaments.
The Pennsylvania State Chess Federation (PSCF) is the official governing body of chess in Pennsylvania. The PSCF is responsible for organizing and sanctioning state championships, scholastic events, and other chess activities in the state. The PSCF also publishes a quarterly magazine, the Pennsylvania Chess Bulletin, that features news, articles, games, and puzzles related to chess in Pennsylvania. Some of the tournaments that the PSCF organizes are:
Pennsylvania State Championship: This is the most prestigious tournament in Pennsylvania, and determines the state champion. It is open to anyone who is a resident of Pennsylvania or a member of the PSCF. The tournament is usually held in September, and consists of six rounds of G/90d5 games. The winner receives a trophy, a cash prize, and the title of Pennsylvania State Champion.
Pennsylvania State Scholastic Championship: This is the largest scholastic tournament in Pennsylvania, and determines the state champions in various grade and rating categories. It is open to anyone who is a student in a Pennsylvania school or a member of the PSCF. The tournament is usually held in March, and consists of five rounds of G/40d5 games. The winners receive trophies, cash scholarships, and the titles of Pennsylvania State Scholastic Champions.
Pennsylvania State Senior Championship: This is a tournament for players who are 50 years or older. It is open to anyone who is a resident of Pennsylvania or a member of the PSCF. The tournament is usually held in October, and consists of four rounds of G/90d5 games. The winner receives a trophy, a cash prize, and the title of Pennsylvania State Senior Champion.
Images courtesy of: Facebook - Pennsylvania State Chess Federation
For more information about the Pennsylvania State Chess Federation, you can visit their website or their Facebook page.
The Pittsburgh Chess Club (PCC) is one of the state's most historic and active clubs. The club operates at 5869 Forbes Ave., 2nd Fl, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
The club has refined its competitive model for 2025, prioritizing structured, long-form USCF-rated Swiss system series, typically held on Tuesday nights (G/90d5), over previous generalized weekly schedules. This focus on multi-week (e.g., 6-round) formats suggests an institutional commitment to high-quality competitive games, appealing to dedicated players seeking stable, accurate rating results and growth in their classical game.
Key 2025 tournament series examples illustrate this shift: the 2025 Wild Card Open ran every Tuesday from January 7 through February 11, utilizing a 6-Round Swiss System with a G/90d5 time control. Similarly, the
2025 Club Championship, traditionally a single weekend event in January/February, is confirmed to run as a multi-week series from April 29 to June 3, 2025. Other rotating series, such as the
Fred Sorensen Memorial, are also structured as 6-Round Swiss systems played on Tuesday evenings. Entry fees generally favor members (e.g., $25 for members vs. $31.25 for non-members for advance entry). Consistent with national standards, cash prizes are paid via PayPal, and players receiving cumulative prizes over $600 in a calendar year are subject to IRS reporting requirements.
Images courtesy of: Pittsburgh Chess Club
For more information about the Pittsburgh Chess Club and its tournaments, visit their website or call (412) 421-1881.
Main Line Chess and Games is a cozy gaming shop in Paoli, PA, located just off U.S. Highway 30, 25 miles WNW of Philadelphia. They offer a variety of games and accessories, including chess sets, boards, clocks, books, and software. The shop also hosts weekly chess tournaments on Mondays and Thursdays, as well as occasional special events. Some of the regular tournaments are:
Main Line Chess and Games Monday Night Swiss: This is a weekly event, held every Monday night from 7 pm to 10 pm. It is a 3-round Swiss system tournament with one section: Open. The entry fee is $10 for all players. The prizes are 50% of the entry fees, distributed as follows: 25% for first place, 15% for second place, and 10% for third place. The tournament is USCF-rated and follows the USCF rules of chess.
Main Line Chess and Games Thursday Night Quads: This is a weekly event, held every Thursday night from 7 pm to 10 pm. It is a 3-round round-robin tournament with four players in each quad. The players are grouped by rating, with a maximum rating difference of 200 points. The entry fee is $10 for all players. The prizes are 50% of the entry fees, distributed as follows: $20 for the winner of each quad, plus a free entry to the next week’s quads for the winner of the top quad. The tournament is USCF rated and follows the USCF rules of chess.
For more information about Main Line Chess and Games and its tournaments, visit their website or call 732-685-7460.
The Lehigh Valley Chess Club serves the community from the Allentown and Bethlehem areas.
The club has implemented a key venue and scheduling adjustment for its regular competitive offerings. While casual meetings may still occur at the Bethlehem Area Public Library , the primary regular competitive event is the Friday - Lehigh Valley Chess Super Quads, which takes place at St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church in Allentown, PA. This shift to a dedicated Friday night competitive slot in a centralized venue is designed to maximize participation from serious players. These quads require a $15 entry fee and offer a $45 prize for scoring 3-0.
Spotlight: The Lehigh Chess Open (A Major New Open for 2025)
The competitive profile of the region is significantly boosted by the new Lehigh Chess Open. This event, sponsored by Lehigh University, is confirmed for Saturday, September 20, 2025, and will be held at the Lehigh University Building C. This is a major development for high-stakes play outside of the immediate Philadelphia metropolitan area. The tournament features a projected $4,000 in prizes and will include both rated and unrated sections, making it a mandatory event for regional masters and experts and a crucial late-summer rating opportunity for all players.
Bethlehem Area Public Library - Dustin Gelegonya - Google Maps
For more information about the Lehigh Valley Chess Club and its tournaments, visit their website or call (484) 866-3045.
Chess tournaments in Philadelphia
A non-profit organization that was founded in 2001 as an outgrowth of a beginner’s & intermediate chess class held at Tech Freire Charter School 2221 N Broad St. The club aims to promote chess education, culture, and community in Philadelphia and beyond welcoming players of all ages and abilities, from beginners to masters. The club organizes weekly tournaments on Saturdays, as well as special events throughout the year. Some of the regular tournaments are:
Masterminds Chess Club Championship: This is the club’s most prestigious event, held annually in December. It is a 5-round Swiss system tournament with one section: Open. The entry fee is $25 for club members and $35 for non-members. The prizes are based on the number of entries, with a minimum of $500 guaranteed. The winner of the tournament is crowned as the club champion and receives a trophy and a free entry to the next year’s championship.
Masterminds Chess Club Quads: This is a monthly event, usually held on the second Saturday of each month. It is a 3-round round-robin tournament with four players in each quad. The players are grouped by rating, with a maximum rating difference of 200 points. The entry fee is $15 for club members and $20 for non-members. The prizes are $40 for the winner of each quad, plus a free entry to the next month’s quads for the winner of the top quad.
Masterminds Chess Club Swiss: This is a bi-monthly event, usually held on the fourth Saturday of every other month. It is a 4-round Swiss system tournament with one section: Open. The entry fee is $20 for club members and $25 for non-members. The prizes are based on the number of entries, with a minimum of $400 guaranteed. The top two finishers in the tournament qualify for the Masterminds Chess Club Invitational, a 6-player round-robin tournament with a $1000 prize fund, held in June.
For more information about the Masterminds Chess Club of Philadelphia and its tournaments, visit their website or call (215) 844-3881.
Redcap’s Corner is a gaming shop in Paoli, PA, located just off U.S. Highway 30, 25 miles WNW of Philadelphia. The shop offers a variety of games and accessories, including chess sets, boards, clocks, books, and software. If you're a part of the LGBT community, be welcome to know Redcap's Corner is very committed to inclusivity.
For now, the only info we could get about chess events is their boardgame afternoons, so it might be a good idea to contact them, by visiting their website or calling (610) 240-8900.
Chess tournaments in Lancaster
Lancaster Red Rose Chess Club
Lancaster Red Rose Chess Club is a prominent community of enthusiasts with a 60-year history. It offers regular classes, tournaments, and other events for players of all levels.
Weekly Classes: Every Wednesday night, chess lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players, taught by experienced instructors.
Red Rose Open: A two-day, five-round Swiss tournament, held in April, open to players of all ratings.
Red Rose Scholastic Championship: A one-day, four-round Swiss tournament, held in May, open to students in grades K-122.
Red Rose Blitz Championship: A one-day, double round-robin tournament, held in July, open to players of all ages and ratings.
The LRRCC meets weekly every Wednesday night starting at 6:30pm until 9:00pm at the Lancaster Red Rose Commons Barnes & Noble.
For more info about their online tournaments you can visit their Lichess group.
Chess Nuts Club is a student chess club located at Lancaster Catholic High School. It holds regular meetings, and organizes workshops and competitive events for students and other players of all levels.
Weekly Meetings: Every Friday afternoon, casual games and puzzles for club members and guests.
Chess Nuts Open: A one-day, four-round Swiss tournament, held in January, open to players of all ratings.
Chess Nuts Scholastic Championship: A one-day, four-round Swiss tournament, held in February, open to students in grades K-122.
Chess Nuts Blitz Championship: A one-day, double round-robin tournament, held in March, open to players of all ages and ratings.
Want to know more about this club? Visit this section of the Lancaster Catholic School website.
Chess tournaments in Reading
The Reading area is served by two main organizations focused on community outreach. The Million Youth Chess Club (MYCC) is highly dedicated to youth development, hosting consistent weekly events every Monday afternoon (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm) at the Main Branch of the Reading Public Library. The club’s monthly tournament structure, divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced sections, is specifically designed to foster early competitive development.
For more information about the Million Youth Chess Club and its tournaments, visit their website or call 610-373-3061.
The Chess Club at Reading Public Library is a community-based chess club that gathers every Monday from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Main Branch of the library. They welcome players of all levels and offer lessons, casual play, and tournaments. Some of the regular tournaments are:
Chess Club Championship: This is the club’s most prestigious event, held annually in May. It is a 5-round Swiss system tournament with one section: Open. The entry fee is $10 for all players. The prizes are trophies and books for the top three finishers. The winner of the tournament is crowned as the club champion and receives a plaque and a free entry to the next year’s championship.
Chess Club Quads: This is a monthly event, usually held on the second Monday of each month. It is a 3-round round-robin tournament with four players in each quad. The players are grouped by rating, with a maximum rating difference of 200 points. The entry fee is $5 for all players. The prizes are books and chess sets for the winner of each quad, plus a free entry to the next month’s quads for the winner of the top quad.
For more information about the Chess Club at Reading Public Library and its tournaments, visit their website or call 610-655-6350.
Chess tournaments in Harrisburg
The Harrisburg West Shore Chess Club is an affiliate of the US Chess Federation that serves Harrisburg and surrounding areas. The club meets twice a week, on Thursdays from 6 to 9 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm, at the Camp Hill Giant Community Center (upstairs). The club welcomes players of all ages and skill levels, and offers friendly games as well as rated tournaments. Some of the tournaments that the club organizes are:
Harrisburg West Shore Chess Club Championship: This is an annual tournament that determines the club champion. It is open to club members only and has a $10 entry fee. The tournament is usually held in January and February, and consists of five rounds of G/90d5 games. The winner receives a trophy and a cash prize.
Harrisburg West Shore Chess Club Open: This is a monthly tournament that is open to anyone who wants to play. It has a $20 entry fee for non-members and a $10 entry fee for members. The tournament is usually held on the last Saturday of each month, and consists of four rounds of G/60d5 games. The top three finishers receive cash prizes, and there are also class prizes for lower-rated players.
Harrisburg West Shore Chess Club Quick: This is a weekly tournament that is open to anyone who wants to play. It has a $5 entry fee for non-members and a $3 entry fee for members. The tournament is usually held on Thursdays, and consists of three rounds of G/15d5 games. The winner receives a cash prize, and there are also rating prizes for lower-rated players.
For more information about the Harrisburg West Shore Chess Club, you can visit their event calendar or their Facebook page.
The Hershey Chess Club is a chess club that meets at the Hershey Public Library on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 pm. The club is open to players of all ages and skill levels and offers casual games, lessons, and tournaments. Some of the tournaments that the club organizes are:
Hershey Chess Club Championship: This is an annual tournament that determines the club champion. It is open to club members only and has a $5 entry fee. The tournament is usually held in December and January, and consists of five rounds of G/90d5 games. The winner receives a trophy and a cash prize.
Hershey Chess Club Open: This is a quarterly tournament that is open to anyone who wants to play. It has a $10 entry fee for non-members and a $5 entry fee for members. The tournament is usually held in March, June, September, and December, and consists of four rounds of G/60d5 games. The top three finishers receive cash prizes, and there are also class prizes for lower-rated players.
Hershey Chess Club Quick: This is a monthly tournament that is open to anyone who wants to play. It has a $5 entry fee for non-members and a $3 entry fee for members. The tournament is usually held on the last Wednesday of each month, and consists of three rounds of G/15d5 games. The winner receives a cash prize, and there are also rating prizes for lower-rated players.
For more information about the Hershey Chess Club, you can visit their website or their Facebook page.
Chess tournaments in York
The York Chess Club is a group of chess players working to expand interest in and opportunities to play chess in York County. They are an affiliate of the U.S. Chess Federation and hold regular-rated tournaments and club meetings. They don’t charge dues or have any official membership requirements. Some of the regular tournaments are:
York Chess Club Championship: This is the club’s most prestigious event, held annually in December. It is a 5-round Swiss system tournament with one section: Open. The entry fee is $25 for club members and $35 for non-members. The prizes are based on the number of entries, with a minimum of $500 guaranteed. The winner of the tournament is crowned as the club champion and receives a trophy and a free entry to the next year’s championship.
York Chess Club Quads: This is a monthly event, usually held on the second Saturday of each month. It is a 3-round round-robin tournament with four players in each quad. The players are grouped by rating, with a maximum rating difference of 200 points. The entry fee is $15 for club members and $20 for non-members. The prizes are $40 for the winner of each quad, plus a free entry to the next month’s quads for the winner of the top quad.
York Chess Club Swiss: This is a bi-monthly event, usually held on the fourth Saturday of every other month. It is a 4-round Swiss system tournament with one section: Open. The entry fee is $20 for club members and $25 for non-members. The prizes are based on the number of entries, with a minimum of $400 guaranteed. The top two finishers in the tournament qualify for the York Chess Club Invitational, a 6-player round-robin tournament with a $1000 prize fund, held in June.
York County School of Technology Chess Club
The YCST Chess Club is a scholastic chess club that is open to all students from grades 9 to 12. They offer lessons, casual play, and competitive tournaments. Some of the regular tournaments are:
YCST Chess Club Championship: This is the club’s most prestigious event, held annually in February. It is a 7-round Swiss system tournament with one section: Open. The entry fee is $5 for club members and $10 for non-members. The prizes are trophies and medals for the top three finishers. The winner of the tournament is crowned as the club champion and receives a trophy and a free entry to the next year’s championship.
YCST Chess Club Quads: This is a monthly event, usually held on the second Thursday of each month. It is a 3-round round-robin tournament with four players in each quad. The players are grouped by rating, with a maximum rating difference of 200 points. The entry fee is $3 for club members and $5 for non-members. The prizes are chess books and magazines for the winner of each quad, plus a free entry to the next month’s quads for the winner of the top quad.
YCST Chess Club Swiss: This is a bi-monthly event, usually held on the fourth Thursday of every other month. It is a 4-round Swiss system tournament with one section: Open. The entry fee is $3 for club members and $5 for non-members. The prizes are chess sets and clocks for the top three finishers, plus a free entry to next month’s Swiss for the winner of the tournament.
For more information about the YCST Chess Club and its tournaments, visit the York Chess Club website or call (717) 747-2130.
Are you looking for other places to play chess in York? Check out this useful resource from the YCC
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