How do I break into the local chess scene?

Question

I live in Northwestern Broward County, FL, USA. I have tried looking online for local chess clubs and tournaments but I have had no luck. I enjoy playing chess online but I enjoy it more when I play in person. I would appreciate advice about becoming active in the chess world in general, but specifics would be greatly appreciated. I am 18 years old by the way, so it can't be a children's league or anything. Please help! Thank you!

Answer 1

Join the United States Chess Federation (USCF). There are discounted rates for juniors which you will qualify for and you will get a monthly magazine. Most importantly, it will list tournaments in your state and you will only be eligible to play in these tournaments if you are a USCF member. There will also be lots of high quality chess analysis which will make you a better player.

The next step is to get chess books and study them. If there was a local chess club in your area, I'd advise you to join it, but if not, then play in tournaments and get chess books to improve.

Answer 2

Welcome to the world of Chess ...

check out www.chessgames.com

Bill

FLORIDA CHESS CLUBS

CENTER HILL FL. JJ CAVILL CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6018773). Affiliate Type: Club. 6-10 PM THURSDAYS. BRANNEN'S PLACE, 1865 MAGNOLIA AVE, CENTER HILL, FL 33514, CENTER HILL FL. Contact: RAYMOND BRANNEN. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

CLEARWATER FL. CHESS OBSESSION (USCF ID A6021306). Affiliate Type: Organizer. Contact: KALE KNOWLES. Contact Phone: [phone]. Club Phone: [phone]. Club Fax: [phone]. email: [e-mail]. Web Site: www.chessobsession.com, Club Membership Not Required, USCF Rated Events, Chess Items for Sale, Beginners Welcome. (MSA Information)

CLERMONT FL. CLERMONT CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6016813). Affiliate Type: Club. THUR 6-10PM, SAT 11-6. 466 W MINNEOLA AVE, CLERMONT FL. Contact: JOE TERI. Contact Phone: [phone]. Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/clermontchesscl... (MSA Information)

CORAL SPRINGS FL. CORAL SPRINGS CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6012802). Affiliate Type: Club. TUES 6:30-10:30. CORAL SPRINGS FL, 520 RAMBLEWOOD DR, CORAL SPRINGS FL 33077, CORAL SPRINGS FL. Contact: C/O DAVID SCHLOSS. Contact Phone: [phone]. Web Site: www.coralspringschessclub.com. (MSA Information)

DAYTONA BEACH. DAYTONA BEACH CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6005510). Affiliate Type: Club. WED 6:30-10:O0PM. SCHNEBLY REC CTR, 1101 N ATLANTIC AVE A1A, DATONA BEACH,FL 32118, DAYTONA BEACH. Contact: PAUL TOMAINO. Contact Phone: [phone]. email: pibit@cfl,rr.com, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Blitz Events, Matches, Ladders, Club Championships, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Classes Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible. (MSA Information)

FORT LAUDERDALE FL. PINE CREST LOWER SCHOOL CHESS (USCF ID H6007427). Affiliate Type: School. TUES 3:30-4:30. CLASSROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE FL. Contact: DIANE SCHMIDT. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

FORT MYERS FL. FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIV (USCF ID G6017069). Affiliate Type: College. PHONE #WEEKEND/[phone]. Contact: CHUCK SAINT. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

GAINESVILLE FL. EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL (USCF ID H6017569). Affiliate Type: School. NOON WEEKDAYS. EHS LIBRARY, SAME, GAINESVILLE FL. Contact: CAROL FAAS. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

GAINESVILLE FL. FLORIDA SCHOLASTIC CHESS LGE (USCF ID H6016122). Affiliate Type: School, GAINESVILLE FL. Contact: GEORGE PYNE. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

GAINESVILLE FL. GAINESVILLE CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6007297). Affiliate Type: Club. FRIDAYS 7:30-11:30PM. PUTT-PUTT, 3535 SW 34TH ST, GAINESVILLE, GAINESVILLE FL. Contact: GEORGE PYNE. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

HOLLYWOOD FL. HOLLYWOOD KINGS CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6010353). Affiliate Type: Club. 6-9 PM TUES/WED. DAVID PARK CENTER, 108 N 33RD COURT, HOLLYWOOD,FL33020, HOLLYWOOD FL. Contact: STEPHEN CERNOBYL. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

JACKSONVILLE FL. JACKSONVILLE OUTDOOR CC (USCF ID A6022452). Affiliate Type: Club. Contact: JOSH PELLER. Contact Phone: [phone]. email: [e-mail]. (MSA Information)

JACKSONVILLE FL. JACKSONVILLE CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A5006333). Affiliate Type: Club. SAT 12-5PM. FCCJ, BAYMEADOWS RD, JACKSONVILLE FL. Contact: DON MILLER. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

LAKELAND FL. LAKELAND CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6009287). Affiliate Type: Club. TUES 6:30. FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 211 EASTON DR, LAKELAND FL. Contact: DAVID KWONG. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

LAKELAND FL. ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (USCF ID H6018522). Affiliate Type: School. TUESDAYS 7:30 AM. ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, 1501 N MARTIN LUTHER KING DR, LAKELAND, FL 33805, LAKELAND FL. Contact: RUTH A VICKERS. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

MAC DILL AFB FL. MAC DILL AFB YOUTH CENTER (USCF ID A6018220). Affiliate Type: Club. MON-FRI 2:30-8 PM; SAT 12-7 PM. YOUTH CENTER, 7813 BAYSHORE BLVD, BLDG 382, MAC DILL AFB, FL, MAC DILL AFB FL. Contact: CHARLES LECHNER. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

MELBOURNE, FL. SPACE COAST SCHOL CHESS CLUB (USCF ID H6017288). Affiliate Type: School. FRI 7PM. BOOKS A MILLION, 4100 N WICKHAM RD, MELBOURNE, FL 32835, MELBOURNE, FL. Contact: C/O FRANCISCO GUADALUPE. Contact Phone: [phone]. Address: 74 LEE DR, PALM COAST, FL, 32137-9745. email: [e-mail], Club Membership Not Required, USCF Rated Events, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome. (MSA Information)

MERRITT ISLAND FL. MELBOURNE CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6010312). Affiliate Type: Club. 7-11 THURSDAY. BOOKS-A-MILLION, US 192, MERRITT ISLAND FL. Contact: BRUCE KOOPMANS. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

MIAMI FL. MIAMI NORTHWESTERN HIGH (USCF ID H6020957). Affiliate Type: Club. TUES-THURS-FRI 2:45-3:45. MIAMI NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL, 1100 NW 71ST ST, MIAMI, FL 33150. Contact: OSWALD DURAND. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

MIAMI FL. MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE CHESS CLUB (USCF ID G6018477). Affiliate Type: College, MIAMI FL. Contact: ANNA MARIA DEMAHY. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

MIAMI FL. THE STORMONT KINGS (USCF ID H6014412). Affiliate Type: School, MIAMI FL. Contact: CHRIS STORMONT. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

MIAMI FL. WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME (USCF ID A6018694). Affiliate Type: Club. THURS-SAT 10:30-5:00; SUN 1-5. WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME, 13755 SW 119TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33186, MIAMI FL. Contact: GILBERTO LUNA II. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

MIAMI FL. MIAMI INTERNATIONAL CHESS ACAD (USCF ID A6015297). Affiliate Type: Club, MIAMI FL. Contact: C/O IM LUGO BLAS. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

MIAMI LAKES FL. OLL SCHOOL CHESS CLUB (USCF ID H6017939). Affiliate Type: School. THURSDAYS 3:30-4:30. OLL SCHOOL, 6600 MIAMI LAKEWAY N, MIAMI LAKES FL 33014, MIAMI LAKES FL. Contact: STEVEN DIAZ. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

MAITLAND, FL. FLORIDA CHESS ASSOCIATION (USCF ID T5006619). Affiliate Type: State Chapter, Maitland, FL. Contact: HARVEY LERMAN. Contact Phone: [phone]. Web Site: www.floridachess.org, "FloridaChess"[Quarterly] $15 for two years (Adults). "Skittles" [3 issues per year] $10 for two years (Scholastic). (MSA Information)

ORLANDO FL 32810. CENTRAL FLORIDA CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6007091). Affiliate Type: Club. SAT 12-7PM. MELODY MANOR, 813 MONTANA ST, ORLANDO FL 32810. Contact: HARVEY LERMAN. Contact Phone: [phone]. Club Phone: [phone]. Address: C/O HARVEY LERMAN, 921 N THISTLE LN, MAITLAND, FL, 32751-3736. Web Site: www.centralflchess.org, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Club Championships, Kids Classes, Prison chess support. (MSA Information)

ORLANDO FL. ORLANDO CHESS & GAMES CENTER (USCF ID A6018039). Affiliate Type: Club. 10AM-10PM MON-SUN. 7602 A W SAND LAKE RD, ORLANDO FL 32819, ORLANDO FL. Contact: ALEX ZELNER. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

ORNAGE PARK FL. RIDGEVIEW COUGAR CHESS CLUB (USCF ID H6018745). Affiliate Type: School. THURSDAYS 2:30-3:15. SCHOOL LIBRARY, ORNAGE PARK FL. Contact: DORA TURNER. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

OVIEDO FL. BOBCAT CHESS CLUB (USCF ID H6018499). Affiliate Type: School, OVIEDO FL. Contact: ROBERT JULIANO. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

PENSACOLA FL. NORTHWEST FLORIDA HOMESCHOOL (USCF ID H6018421). Affiliate Type: School. 1ST/3RD/5TH SAT AT 3-4PM. BOOKS A MILLION, DAVIS HIGHWAY, PENSACOLA, PENSACOLA FL. Contact: JOSH KAYE. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

PINELLAS PARK FL. CANTRELL'S CHESS BOOKS (USCF ID A6006974). Affiliate Type: Club. 10:00 TO 10:00 CALL ANYTIME, PINELLAS PARK FL. Contact: GILBERT CANTRELL. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

PORT CHARLOTTE FL. PORT CHARLOTTE CULTURAL CTR CC (USCF ID A6015755). Affiliate Type: Club. THURS 12:30-4:30 PM, PORT CHARLOTTE FL. Contact: C/O AL BAUM. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

PORT ORANGE FL. CREATING HIGHER EDUC SUCCESS (USCF ID H6018704). Affiliate Type: School, PORT ORANGE FL. Contact: IN SCHOOLS / STEVE LAMPKIN. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

SATELLITE BEACH FL. SEA PARK ELEM SCH CHESS CLUB (USCF ID H6016690). Affiliate Type: School. Contact: FRANCISCO GUADALUPE. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

ST PETERSBURG FL. CANTERBURY SCHOOL OF FLORIDA (USCF ID H6017218). Affiliate Type: School, ST PETERSBURG FL. Contact: john prosser. Contact Phone: [phone]. email: [e-mail]. Web Site: www.canterbury-fl.org. (MSA Information)

ST PETERSBURG FL. ST PETERSBURG CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A5006716). Affiliate

TALLAHASSEE FL. LAWTON CHILES HIGH SCHOOL (USCF ID H6017407). Affiliate Type: School. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

TAMPA FL. COLLEGE HILL CHESS CLUB (USCF ID G6018525). Affiliate Type: College. TUES & THURS 4:30-6:00. COLLEGE HILL LIBRARY, 2607 E MLK BLVD, TAMPA, FL 33610, TAMPA FL. Contact: MARCUS SMALLS. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

TAMPA, FL. TAMPA BAY CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6017410). Affiliate Type: Club, TAMPA, FL. Contact: C/O JOE STULL. Contact Phone: [phone]. email: [e-mail]. Web Site: http://takeoff.to/stullchess. (MSA Information)

TEMPLE TERRACE FL. CHESS NUTS (USCF ID A6018608). Affiliate Type: Club. WED 12:30; THURS 6:30. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY, TAMPA, FLORIDA, TEMPLE TERRACE FL. Contact: C/O WILLARD J TAYLOR JR. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

TITUSVILLE FL. TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (USCF ID H6017978). Affiliate Type: School. ALT. WED 11:00-12:00. MATH CLASS ROOM/TEMPLE SCHL, 1400 N US 1, TITUSVILLE, FL 32796, TITUSVILLE FL. Contact: MARK WOOLEY. Contact Phone: [phone]. (MSA Information)

W PALM BEACH FL. GOLD COAST COMM SCH CHESS CL (USCF ID H6015154). Affiliate

Answer 3

Show up.

Seriously, it is that easy.

You may need to join your country's chess federation.  (In the US, the USCF.  In other countries the letters vary.)

Answer 4

I have a question for you.

Why rip on Aussie girls? Have you even ben to Australia?

Prick.

Answer 5

Go to

www.uschess.org