Chess for Every Mind, Every Age

Rochester Chess Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit bringing free and low-cost chess instruction, casual play, and USCF-rated tournaments to our community since 2008.

See This Week's Events Support Our Mission

Every Tuesday

Casual play night, all skill levels welcome

USCF Rated

Monthly tournaments with official ratings

100% Non-Profit

Free to all in the chess community

Club News & Updates

Announcements

Free Chess Class (9/22/26)

Join Coach Lucas for a free chess lesson from 5:30pm to 6:30pm in the Mayo Harwick Cafeteria this Tuesday, September 22nd. Coach Lucas will be covering opening principles, middlegame strategy, tactics, endgames, and more!

All are welcome - anyone looking to improve at chess or simply learn more about the game is invited to attend! No registration required - after the lesson, there will be time to play casual games during the usual (6:30-9pm) Rochester Chess Club hours. We hope to see you there!

September 22, 2026

Community

Free Chess Class (9/15/26)

Join Coach Lucas for a free chess lesson from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the Mayo Harwick Cafeteria this Tuesday, September 15th. Coach Lucas will be covering opening principles, middlegame strategy, tactics, endgames, and more!

All are welcome - anyone looking to improve at chess or simply learn more about the game is invited to attend! No registration required - after the lesson, there will be time to play casual games during the usual (6-9pm) Rochester Chess Club hours. We hope to see you there!

September 14, 2026

Community

Free Chess Class (9/8/26)

Join Coach Lucas for a free chess lesson from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the Mayo Harwick Cafeteria this Tuesday, September 8th. Coach Lucas will be covering opening principles, middlegame strategy, tactics, endgames, and more!

All are welcome - anyone looking to improve at chess or simply learn more about the game is invited to attend! No registration required - after the lesson, there will be time to play casual games during the usual (6-9pm) Rochester Chess Club hours. We hope to see you there!

September 7, 2026

Community

Free Chess Class (8/18/26)

Join Coach Soren for a free chess lesson from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the Mayo Harwick Cafeteria this Tuesday, August 18th. Coach Soren will be available to work on tactics, openings, middlegames, and endgames through individualized & group instruction.

All are welcome - anyone looking to improve at chess or simply learn more about the game is invited to attend! No registration required - after the lesson, there will be time to play casual games during the usual (6-9pm) Rochester Chess Club hours. We hope to see you there!

August 17, 2026

Community

Coach Lucas' Bootcamp - continued...

Join Coach Lucas for the continuation of his free chess bootcamp from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the Mayo Harwick Cafeteria after the Rochester Chess Festival on Tuesday, July 14th. Coach Lucas will be reviewing opening principles, middlegame strategy, endgame technique, and tactical calculation for all who attend.

Anyone looking to hone their skills or simply learn more about the game is welcome to attend! No registration required - after the lesson, there will be time to play casual games during the usual (6-9pm) Rochester Chess Club hours. We hope to see you there!

July 14, 2026

Announcements

Free Scholastic (K-8) Chess Tournament on National Chess Day, Oct. 10th

Celebrate National Chess Day by participating in the largest youth chess tournament in Rochester!

Any student in grades K-8 may participate. Participants will play in one of three divisions. Check out the Tournament Registration & Info Page for more details about the event.

Instruction & game analysis (for players who record their moves) will be available from Chess Master Dexter Thompson, Roy Truelson, and experienced high school chess players. Students will be paired with others at a similar skill level and do not need any prior experience in chess events.
Registration is capped, so early registration is encouraged.

This opportunity is presented in partnership by Rochester Community Education and Rochester Chess. Rochester Chess is supported by youth enrichment grants from Mayo Clinic Community Public Affairs, US Bank, and individual donations.

August 20, 2026

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