Chess tournaments in Utah: Where to find the best ones
- Sebastian Artigas
- Feb 24, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 3
The competitive chess landscape in Utah for 2025 is characterized by exceptional organizational stability and a clear focus on scholastic development, primarily driven by a professional synergy between the state’s governing body, the Utah Chess Association (UCA), and specialized organizing entities like PowerChess. This framework ensures a predictable and highly active calendar for players of all ages and skill levels.
The Utah Chess Association (UCA) is the official affiliate of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) in Utah. It organizes and supports chess events throughout the state, including state championships, scholastic tournaments, and club tournaments. The UCA also maintains a calendar of chess events, a list of chess clubs and instructors, and a rating system for Utah players
Some of the chess tournaments that the UCA offers regularly are:
Utah Speed Championship: This is a blitz-style chess tournament that is usually held on Saturdays. The tournament consists of seven rounds of five-minute games, with a two-second increment per move. The winner of the tournament is crowned as the Utah Speed Champion. The tournament is open to all players, regardless of rating or membership.
Valentine Tournament: This is a chess tournament for adults only, ages 21 and over. It is usually held in February, around Valentine’s Day. The tournament is a four-round Swiss system, with a time control of 45 minutes per player, plus a five-second increment per move. The tournament is open to all players, regardless of rating or membership.
SLCC Afternoon Chess: This is a chess tournament that is held every Saturday at 1:30 pm at the Salt Lake Community College. The tournament is a three-round Swiss system, with a time control of 30 minutes per player, plus a five-second increment per move. The tournament is open to all players, regardless of rating or membership.
. You can visit their website to learn more about their activities and membership.
A primary emphasis of the 2025 competitive cycle is the structured development of youth players. The centerpiece of this effort is the 2025 PowerChess Utah State Scholastic Championship, scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Miller Conference Center in Sandy.
The championship is strategically structured into four distinct sections: K-1, K-3, K-6, and K-12. This tiered approach ensures that players are consistently matched against peers of comparable age and experience, which is vital for maintaining engagement and providing appropriate competitive challenges at every developmental stage. Furthermore, the championship places explicit emphasis on inter-school competition through school team championships. Eligibility for team awards requires a minimum of three players, with prizes based on the combined scores of the top four players in each respective section. This mechanism directly incentivizes institutional support and cohort training, which are crucial for building the long-term strength and depth of competitive chess in Utah.
The organizational discipline applied to these events maintains a high standard of competitive professionalism. For instance, the registration policy includes a provision that participants who register onsite after 7:00 AM on the day of the championship will be assessed a first-round half-point bye. This strict adherence to the schedule is implemented to ensure the event starts promptly at 9:00 AM, thereby respecting the time commitment of all pre-registered players and reflecting a highly mature approach to tournament management.
Credits: PowerChess
Fall Classical Kickoff: Utah Open and National Chess Day
The autumn season formally commences with the annual observance of National Chess Day, confirmed for October 11-12, 2025. This weekend traditionally anchors the start of the classical competitive calendar.
While specific, full details for the 2025 Utah Open (the state’s marquee classical tournament) are not yet finalized, historical data indicates it typically follows a multi-section structure using longer time controls, such as G/45 +5 (increment 5) for the premier sections. The entry fees for all sections are generally standardized ($30 if registered early online, $40 late/onsite), and the prize structures include cash incentives distributed across the sections, including Class F and Under 800 categories. The consistent organization and prize structures for these high-level events ensure that Utah’s competitive environment remains attractive to top players from across the region.
Northern Utah Hub: Ogden's Diverse Offerings
The city of Ogden provides two highly distinct environments for adult and casual play, demonstrating successful market segmentation within the local chess scene.
Ogden Chess represents the traditional, beginner-friendly weekly club, meeting every Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Grounds For Coffee (111 25th Street, Ogden). This setting provides a consistent, welcoming atmosphere ideal for newcomers and social play.
In contrast, Iron Nights caters specifically to a nightlife demographic. This club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7:00 PM until 12:30 AM at The Red Light Bar (130 25th St, Ogden). The coexistence of a casual coffee shop club and a dedicated bar-based, late-night club ensures that competitive chess reaches beyond the scholastic sphere and sustains adult interest, providing crucial alternative formats for adult players.
Community libraries serve as essential grassroots centers for chess growth by eliminating cost and logistical barriers. The Weber County Library system hosts a recurring "Chess Club" series, generally geared toward youth and beginner audiences.
Confirmed meeting dates in the autumn of 2025 include Mondays on September 15, October 6, November 3, and November 17, with meetings starting at 6:30 PM. These consistent sessions primarily take place at the Ogden Valley Branch and provide accessible, supervised environments for learning and casual competition. The official contact for the Weber County Library events is 801-337-2660. The long-term stability of these library programs is a crucial element of Utah’s chess development strategy, as they continuously feed new talent into the formal tournament circuit. If you are interested, you can visit their website or contact them at youthchess@weberpl.lib.ut.us.
Wrapping up...
As you can see, there are many chess tournaments in Utah that you can join and enjoy. Whether you are looking for a fast-paced blitz tournament, a serious state championship, or a casual chess club, you can find it in Utah. Chess is a great way to challenge your mind, improve your skills, and meet new friends. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your chess set and join a chess tournament in Utah today!
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