Chess is a universal language that can be spoken by anyone, anywhere. Chess tournaments are events where chess players communicate with each other through the board, the pieces, and the moves. Georgia is a state that has a strong and diverse chess community, hosting many chess tournaments throughout the year. These tournaments are not only contests, but also opportunities for education, entertainment, and connection. In this guide, we will analyze the aspects, benefits, and challenges of chess tournaments in Georgia, and how they affect the evolution and excellence of chess in the region and the world.
Georgia Chess Association is a non-profit organization that is committed to creating and supporting an actively engaged chess community in Georgia for both adults and junior players. They are affiliated with the United States Chess Federation (USCF) and the Georgia State Chess Championship. They offer various chess programs and services, such as chess education, news, magazines, and tournaments.
Some of the chess tournaments they organize or host are:
Georgia Chess - Friday Knight Face Off: This is a weekly over-the-board chess tournament that takes place every Friday from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Alpharetta, Georgia. It is open to players of all ages and skill levels. The tournament consists of three rounds of the Swiss system, with a time control of 45 minutes plus 5-second increments per move. The entry fee is $20 for GCA members and $25 for non-members. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three finishers and the best under 2000, under 1600, and U1200 players.
Georgia Chess - Groundhog Day Quads: This is a monthly over-the-board chess tournament that takes place on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm at the Through the Rapids Chess Club in Atlanta, Georgia. It is open to players of all ages and skill levels. The tournament consists of three rounds of round-robin system, with a time control of 45 minutes plus 5 seconds increment per move. The entry fee is $20 for GCA members and $25 for non-members. Cash prizes are awarded to the winner of each quad (four-player group).
Georgia Chess - Scholastic Chess Tournament: This is a monthly over-the-board chess tournament that takes place on the second Sunday of each month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia. It is open to students in grades K-12. The tournament consists of four rounds of the Swiss system, with a time control of 25 minutes plus 5 seconds increment per move. The entry fee is $20 for GCA members and $25 for non-members. Trophies are awarded to the top three finishers in each section (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12).
Georgia Chess - North Henry Open: This is a monthly tournament that takes place on the second Saturday of each month at Stockbridge, GA. It has three sections: Open, Under 1600, and Under 1200. The time control is G/60;d5 for all sections. The entry fee is $25 for GCA members and $30 for non-members. The prizes are based on 30 entries per section and are $150 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place in each section.
More info about their tournaments calendar at their website.
Chess Tournaments in Atlanta
Georgia Chess Club (GCC) is the premier provider of private and group chess lessons in the Atlanta Metro area. GCC also hosts regular USCF chess tournaments offering a chance to increase your rating and compete against other chess players. Some of the tournaments they offer are:
Friday Winter Classic: A four-round Swiss tournament held on the first Friday of every month, with a time control of G/90;+30. The entry fee is $35 and the prizes are based on entries.
Friday Knight Face Off: A five-round Swiss tournament held on the third Friday of every month, with a time control of G/25;d5. The entry fee is $25 and the prizes are based on entries.
Metro Atlanta Chess Partners Inc (MACP) is a nonprofit organization that promotes chess education and outreach in the Atlanta area. MACP offers chess classes, camps, workshops, and tournaments for all ages and skill levels. Some of the tournaments they offer are:
Virtual Chess on Mondays: An online tournament held every Monday on chess.com, with a time control of 10+0. The entry fee is $5 and the prizes are Amazon gift cards.
North Henry Open: A four-round Swiss tournament held on the second Saturday of every month at the North Henry Academy, with a time control of G/60;d5. The entry fee is $30 and the prizes are based on entries.
Chess tournaments in Savannah
Savannah Chess is a chess club that offers chess lessons, casual play, and tournaments for all ages and skill levels. Savannah Chess hosts regular USCF-rated tournaments at various locations in the city, such as So Fit Gym, Savannah State University, and the Jewish Educational Alliance. Some of the tournaments they offer are:
Friday Night Meetup: A four-round Swiss tournament held on the first Friday of every month, with a time control of G/15;d3. The entry fee is $10 and the prizes are based on entries.
December Open: A five-round Swiss tournament held on December 18, 2023, with a time control of G/45;d5. The entry fee is $25 and the prizes are $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place.
Morningstar Games is a game store that sells a variety of board games, card games, and role-playing games. Morningstar Games also hosts chess tournaments and other game events at their store. Some of the tournaments they offer are:
Saturday Blitz: A six-round Swiss tournament held on the second Saturday of every month, with a time control of G/5. The entry fee is $10 and the prizes are store credit and merchandise.
Savannah Scholastic: A four-round Swiss tournament held on February 12, 2024, for students in grades K-12, with a time control of G/30;d5. The entry fee is $15 and the prizes are trophies and medals.
Chess tournaments in Athens
Chess and Community Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing youth to lead through community engagement and civic empowerment. Their work uses chess as a learning modality to help youth manage impulsiveness and develop critical thinking skills. Some of the tournaments they offer are:
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Tournament: A six-round Swiss tournament held on January 19, 2024 at the Classic Center in Athens, with a time control of G/45;d5. The entry fee is $40 and the prizes are trophies and medals.
Through the Rapids: A four-round Swiss tournament held on the first Wednesday of every month at the Athens-Clarke County Library, with a time control of G/15;d3. The entry fee is $10 and the prizes are books and certificates.
Athens Chess Club
Athens Chess Club is a friendly and welcoming chess club that meets every Tuesday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Athens-Clarke County Library. They offer free chess lessons, casual games, and rated tournaments for players of all ages and skill levels. Some of the chess tournaments they organize or host are:
Athens Chess Club Monthly Tournament: This is a monthly over-the-board chess tournament that takes place on the last Tuesday of each month from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Athens-Clarke County Library. It is open to players of all ages and skill levels. The tournament consists of three rounds of the Swiss system, with a time control of 30 minutes per game. The entry fee is $5 for ACC members and $10 for non-members. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three finishers and the best under 1800, under 1400, and under 1000 players.
Athens Chess Club Scholastic Tournament: This is a monthly over-the-board chess tournament that takes place on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Athens-Clarke County Library. It is open to students in grades K-12. The tournament consists of four rounds of the Swiss system, with a time control of 25 minutes per game. The entry fee is $10 for ACC members and $15 for non-members. Trophies are awarded to the top three finishers in each section (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12).
More info about these tournaments can be found at the GCA website.
University of Georgia Chess Club is a student-run chess club that aims to promote chess on campus and in the community. They meet every Thursday or Friday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Tate Student Center. They offer chess lessons, casual games, and rated tournaments for students and non-students alike. Some of the chess tournaments they organize or host are:
UGA Chess Club Monthly Tournament: This is a monthly over-the-board chess tournament that takes place on the first Thursday of each month from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Tate Student Center. It is open to players of all ages and skill levels. The tournament consists of four rounds of the Swiss system, with a time control of 15 minutes plus 5 seconds increment per move. The entry fee is $5 for UGA students and $10 for non-students. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three finishers and the best under 2000, under 1600, and under 1200 players.
UGA Chess Club Scholastic Tournament: This is a monthly over-the-board chess tournament that takes place on the third Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Tate Student Center. It is open to students in grades K-12. The tournament consists of five rounds of the Swiss system, with a time control of 25 minutes per game. The entry fee is $15 for UGA students and $20 for non-students. Trophies are awarded to the top three finishers in each section (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12).
More info at the UGA website.
University of North Georgia Chess Club
The University of North Georgia Chess Club is a student organization that promotes chess on campus and in the community. The club organizes a 4-round USCF-rated chess tournament every semester at UNG. The time control is G/60;d5 for all sections. The prizes are based on 50 entries and are $200 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place. There are also class prizes of $50 for the top Under 1800, Under 1600, Under 1400, and Under 1200 players.
More info about these tournaments can be found at the GCA website.
Chess tournaments in Sandy Springs & Roswell
Chess Adventures is a chess club that specializes in teaching chess to kids online and in schools. They use animated cartoon videos and online games to make chess fun and engaging for children. They also offer chess tournaments for students who want to test their skills and compete with others. Some of the chess tournaments that Chess Adventures offers are:
Chess Adventures Online Tournament: This is a monthly online tournament for students who are enrolled in Chess Adventures online classes. The tournament is held on the last Saturday of every month, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The tournament is divided into four sections: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8. The entry fee is $10 per student, and the prizes are Amazon gift cards for the top three players in each section.
Chess Adventures School Tournament: This is a quarterly tournament for students who are enrolled in Chess Adventures school programs. The tournament is held on a Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at a selected school location. The tournament is divided into four sections: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8. The entry fee is $15 per student, and the prizes are trophies for the top three players in each section, and medals for the top three teams in each section.
To register for these tournaments, you need to visit the Chess Adventures website and fill out the online form. You will also need to have a ChessKid.com account, which is free to create.
Kid Chess is a chess club that offers chess classes, instruction, and a complete curriculum for children. They have highly qualified and experienced chess coaches who use a unique staffing approach that combines the talents of both tournament chess players and educators. They also offer chess tournaments and events for players who want to challenge themselves and have fun. Some of the chess tournaments and events that Kid Chess offers are:
Kid Chess K-3 Tournament: This is a monthly tournament for students in kindergarten to third grade who are enrolled in Kid Chess programs. The tournament is held on a Saturday morning, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Kid Chess office in Roswell, GA. The tournament is divided into two sections: K-1 and 2-3. The entry fee is $25 per student, and the prizes are trophies for the top three players in each section, and medals for all participants.
Kid Chess 4-8 Blacklight Tournament: This is a monthly tournament for students in fourth to eighth grade who are enrolled in Kid Chess programs. The tournament is held on a Sunday afternoon, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the Kid Chess office in Roswell, GA. The tournament is divided into two sections: 4-5 and 6-8. The entry fee is $25 per student, and the prizes are trophies for the top three players in each section, and medals for all participants. The tournament is played in a dark room with blacklight and glow-in-the-dark pieces, which adds an extra element of fun and excitement.
Kid Chess Camps: These are seasonal camps that Kid Chess offers during school breaks, such as winter, spring, and summer. The camps are open to students of all levels and ages, from kindergarten to eighth grade. The camps are held from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at various locations in Sandy Springs, GA, and other nearby areas. The camps include chess lessons, games, puzzles, tournaments, and other activities. The camp fee is $299 per week, and the registration is done online through the Kid Chess website.
To register for these tournaments and events, you need to visit the Kid Chess website and fill out the online form. You will also need to have a US Chess Federation membership, which is required for all rated tournaments.
Chess tournaments in Roswell
They are located in Roswell, GA, and have a spacious and comfortable facility with chess boards, clocks, books, and computers. They also have a friendly and supportive staff of chess instructors and organizers who are dedicated to helping students improve their chess skills and prepare for competition. Some of the chess tournaments and events that Chess Zone offers are:
Chess Zone Quads: These are weekly tournaments that are held on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Chess Zone facility. The tournaments are divided into four-player sections based on rating and age. The entry fee is $20 per player, and the prizes are cash for first place in each section, and chess books for second and third place in each section.
Chess Zone Simuls: These are monthly events that are held on Fridays, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Chess Zone facility. The events feature a guest master or expert who plays simultaneous games against multiple opponents. The entry fee is $10 per player, and the prizes are chess books for the players who win or draw against the guest master or expert.
Chess Zone Camps: These are seasonal camps that Chess Zone offers during school breaks, such as winter, spring, and summer. The camps are open to students of all levels and ages, from kindergarten to twelfth grade. The camps are held from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Chess Zone facility. The camps include chess lessons, games, puzzles, tournaments, and other activities. The camp fee is $250 per week, and the registration is done online through the Chess Zone website.
To register for these tournaments and events, you need to visit the Chess Zone website and fill out the online form. You will also need to have a US Chess Federation membership, which is required for all rated tournaments.
Conclusions
Chess tournaments in Georgia are multifaceted, lively, and enjoyable events that appeal to chess players of all ages and backgrounds. They offer possibilities for skill, strategy, and creativity. They also demonstrate chess as a sport, a craft, and a passion, and generate a sense of fellowship and pride among chess fans. Chess tournaments in Georgia are a significant and essential part of the chess phenomenon in the United States and the world, and require more recognition and support.
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Meta Description: Looking for some exciting chess tournaments in Georgia? Check out this guide to learn about some of the best chess institutions and events in the Peach State.
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