Chess Organizations around the World, also Ratings
Chess is organized at all levels: schools, towns, districts, states. We can't list them all here, but your national organization can. Find national and international organizations all over the world. • An important task of chess organizations is to rate competitive play. Find out more about chess ratings.
How to Find Clubs and Events
Looking for a club or a local tournament? Here are some quick links to the national federation pages which list clubs and events for the English-speaking countries.
Looking for a club or a local tournament? Here are some quick links to the national federation pages which list clubs and events for the English-speaking countries.
So You Want to Organize Chess Tournaments?
Let's say you started playing chess later in life, realize that you are never going to be World Champion, but still want to make a contribution. You are an ideal candidate to get involved in chess organizing. Chess organizers have three different hats; many wear all three : club manager, tournament organizer, tournament director.
Let's say you started playing chess later in life, realize that you are never going to be World Champion, but still want to make a contribution. You are an ideal candidate to get involved in chess organizing. Chess organizers have three different hats; many wear all three : club manager, tournament organizer, tournament director.
Chess Grandmasters
The title 'Grandmaster' (GM) is the highest ranking and most prestigious chess title conferred by the World Chess Federation (FIDE). It is awarded for performance in competition and is held for life.
The title 'Grandmaster' (GM) is the highest ranking and most prestigious chess title conferred by the World Chess Federation (FIDE). It is awarded for performance in competition and is held for life.
FIDE : World Chess Federation
FIDE, founded in Paris in 1924, is a French acronym for the organization known in English as the World Chess Federation. Gens Una Sumus!
FIDE, founded in Paris in 1924, is a French acronym for the organization known in English as the World Chess Federation. Gens Una Sumus!
FIDE : Zones
FIDE, the World Chess Federation, is geographically organized by continent, zone, and country. The table shows how countries are organized by continent and by zone.
FIDE, the World Chess Federation, is geographically organized by continent, zone, and country. The table shows how countries are organized by continent and by zone.
FIDE
Federation Internationale des Echecs (International Chess Federation) official site.
Federation Internationale des Echecs (International Chess Federation) official site.
United States Chess Federation (USCF)
The national chess organization of the United States.
The national chess organization of the United States.
U.S. Chess League (USCL)
USCL League Commissioner : IM Greg Shahade.
USCL League Commissioner : IM Greg Shahade.
Australian Chess Federation (ACF)
News, bulletin, and interesting games. Links to other Australian chess sites.
News, bulletin, and interesting games. Links to other Australian chess sites.
British Chess Federation (BCF)
News, columns, publications and games to download. 'Founded in 1904, [the BCF] is the organisation that controls, directs and promotes the playing of chess in England. Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands have their own federations.'
News, columns, publications and games to download. 'Founded in 1904, [the BCF] is the organisation that controls, directs and promotes the playing of chess in England. Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands have their own federations.'
Chess Federation of Canada (CFC)
Canadian news, tournaments, and clubs.
Canadian news, tournaments, and clubs.
IndianChessFed.org
The official website of the All India Chess Federation.
The official website of the All India Chess Federation.
Irish Chess Union
Official website of the Irish Chess Union.
Official website of the Irish Chess Union.
New Zealand Chess Federation
Chess news and events in New Zealand. List of clubs.
Chess news and events in New Zealand. List of clubs.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP)
Official website.
Official website.
Scottish Chess Association
News and info about chess in Scotland.
News and info about chess in Scotland.
Links to National Chess Federation Web Sites
'The largest collection of National Chess Federations on the Internet.'
'The largest collection of National Chess Federations on the Internet.'
Association of Chess Professionals (ACP)
'Article 2 - The association's purpose is the protection of professional chess players' rights, the practice and promotion of chess worldwide, in particular through the organisation of chess tournaments and other chess events.' Founded 2003.
'Article 2 - The association's purpose is the protection of professional chess players' rights, the practice and promotion of chess worldwide, in particular through the organisation of chess tournaments and other chess events.' Founded 2003.
America's Foundation for Chess (AF4C)
Non-profit organization based in Seattle. Hosts for the U.S. Chess Championships (2000, 2002, 2003).
Non-profit organization based in Seattle. Hosts for the U.S. Chess Championships (2000, 2002, 2003).
ASEAN Chess Confederation
Asian national federations with links to member sites.
Asian national federations with links to member sites.
Braille Chess Association
'Our association aims to bring blind and partially sighted chess players together to compete with one another in tournaments organised by us and the IBCA.'
'Our association aims to bring blind and partially sighted chess players together to compete with one another in tournaments organised by us and the IBCA.'
Chess Collectors International (CCI)
For collectors of anything related to chess, primarily chess sets.
For collectors of anything related to chess, primarily chess sets.
Chess Journalists of America (CJA)
'An American organization of chess journalists created to promote high quality chess journalism, to provide assistance to the working journalist through articles and contacts and to recognize chess journalism at its best through an annual awards program.'
'An American organization of chess journalists created to promote high quality chess journalism, to provide assistance to the working journalist through articles and contacts and to recognize chess journalism at its best through an annual awards program.'
European Chess Union (ECU)
'The ECU intends to safeguard and further the interests of Chess in Europe, as well as the interests of its members.'
'The ECU intends to safeguard and further the interests of Chess in Europe, as well as the interests of its members.'
International Committee of Silent Chess (ICSC)
'International organisation based on voluntary service. Establishes and organizes the world individuals events for deaf men and women, World Teams Deaf Chess Championships, European Clubs Chess Championships, and friendly international tournaments.'
'International organisation based on voluntary service. Establishes and organizes the world individuals events for deaf men and women, World Teams Deaf Chess Championships, European Clubs Chess Championships, and friendly international tournaments.'
TheSilverKnights.org
The Silver Knights Alzheimer’s Charity - 'Saving Lives One Game At A Time'
The Silver Knights Alzheimer’s Charity - 'Saving Lives One Game At A Time'
USCF Affiliates
List of affiliates by and clubs state. Also has an advanced search.
List of affiliates by and clubs state. Also has an advanced search.
U.S. Chess Trust
'The official website of The U.S. Chess Trust. A Charitable, 501(c)(3) organization devoted to supporting the educational, cultural, and recreational value of the game of chess. Contributions are tax-deductible.'
'The official website of The U.S. Chess Trust. A Charitable, 501(c)(3) organization devoted to supporting the educational, cultural, and recreational value of the game of chess. Contributions are tax-deductible.'
Chess Meetup Groups Worldwide
'Find Chess Groups Near You. Meet other local chess players to talk strategy and play games. "A convenient, non-threatening way to connect to other people who share similar interests and live nearby." Time Magazine'
'Find Chess Groups Near You. Meet other local chess players to talk strategy and play games. "A convenient, non-threatening way to connect to other people who share similar interests and live nearby." Time Magazine'
Chessdon by Don Schultz
Home page of the former USCF President (1996-1999), FIDE representative, and assistant to Fischer during the 1972 match with Spassky.
Home page of the former USCF President (1996-1999), FIDE representative, and assistant to Fischer during the 1972 match with Spassky.
Marshall Chess Club
News, tournaments, and calendar of events from the historic club in New York, NY.
News, tournaments, and calendar of events from the historic club in New York, NY.