Around Town

BAM Chess Club   The Books-A-Million bookstore at Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights is the home for this small club, which meets each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon (and occasionally on Saturday) at about 1:00PM.  Everyone is welcome to join this club under one condition - you must play for the joy of the game.  Serious type A chess is not condoned.  The members don't take themselves or their play seriously, even though all of the regulars have played USCF tournament chess.  Inquiries regarding the club may be directed to Richard Runke.

Greater Richmond High School Chess League  The GRHSCL is a new organization created to offer metro Richmond high school students an opportunity to play competitive chess in a league setting.  For more information, contact Thomas Butler.

Huguenot Chess Knights   This is the longest running chess club in the Richmond area.  It meets at 7:00PM on the first and third Friday of each month at the Bon Air Library, 9103 Rattlesnake Road, near the intersection of Forest Hill and Huguenot.  There is no cost to join or play in the club tournaments.  Everyone is welcome.  If you'd like additional information on the Huguenot Chess Knights, you can call the club Director, Walter Chester, at 804.276.5662.

Kaïssa Chess Club   Membership is free.  For years, this has been the largest and most active chess club in greater Richmond, with has lots of great activities, including Grandmaster lectures and simultaneous exhibitions, USCF rated tournaments, casual play, and  instruction for all levels.  The KCC meets at Imperial Plaza on Wednesdays 5-9PM.  Tell gate security that you are with the chess club.  Imperial Plaza is located at   1717 Bellevue Avenue in Richmond, 262-6537.  For directions, click here.  For further information, please call the club President Angelo Crisci at 804.560.5476.

Midlothian Chess Club   From Jan. 19, 2004 until June 5, 2005, this club will meet from 4:00-6:00PM on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 521 Coalfield Road, Midlothian, in the meeting rooms.  Casual play and instruction are available and if enough players attend, then unrated quads will be organized.  No costs and occasional prizes offered.  Phone club president Nicholas Cravotta at 804.379.2263.

Pura Vida Coffee  Chess players congregate here on Mondays from 5:30-9:00.  The location is Atlee Square Shopping Center at Atlee Road and Route 301 in Hanover.  For more information, contact Joanne Colbert.

USCF Mid-Atlantic Clearinghouse   Mike Atkins maintains this list of upcoming U.S. Chess Federation tournaments for Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.

Village Cafe   Chess players are frequently spotted at 1001 West Grace Street, near VCU.

Virginia Scholastic Chess Association   The VSCA is dedicated to the promotion of the game of chess for all of Virginia's school children.  The VSCA believes that the game of chess is one of the best ways to teach conceptual thinking, long-range planning, and quiet concentration.  For these reasons, the VSCA works to have chess incorporated into the schools as an Education Enrichment and/or extra curricular program.  During the school year, they try to schedule at least one scholastic tournament each month, so that children have plenty of opportunities to participate in chess events.  If you have any questions, please contact the VSCA president, Peter Hopkins at 804.262.4167.

Young Adults Chess Club   Richmond Public Library is looking for Young Adults ages 10-17 to participate in their newly created chess club.  Meetings are every Wednesday at 4:00pm in Conference Room A of the Main Library.   All levels of experience are welcome, but no experience is required.  Instruction will be provided for beginners.  No registration is required.

On the Net

International Correspondence Chess Federation   The ICCF is the official governing body for international correspondence chess.  Opponents and tournaments are available for both postal and e-mail games.  This is a great opportunity to earn a correspondence chess rating and title, as well as to make new international friends.  Entry is inexpensive and the events are well run and enjoyable.

Internet Chess Club   The ICC is a large commercial online chess club.  Membership isn't free, but it is very well run and is one of the best around, with thousands of strong FIDE titled players as members.  Simultaneous exhibitions, lectures, and real-time commentary to big-time events are just a few of the benefits awaiting you there.  You can download their telnet-protocol-based interface and try it out as a guest at no cost.

It's Your Turn   IYT is a turn-based online playing service, which allows players to participate in chess matches and tournaments online, but without sending or receiving e-mail.  Most games have a 28-48 hour window, so you can play just a few moves a week if you are so inclined.  Play is free, but paying members have more privileges and opportunities for games.

Play Chess  Play Chess is an online playing environment sponsored by the chess database publisher, ChessBase.  You can become a paid member or play as a guest at no charge.

US Chess Live   If you are looking for a no cost or low cost real-time online playing environment, then try USCL.  Regular Memberships are available at no cost, although a moderately priced Royal Membership offers some extras.  The interface program is fast and reliable (telnet, not java!) and there are a fair number of good players who show up at this playsite, so most players should find a challenging game appropriate to their level.

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