Southern California Chess Club, Team & Instruction Directory
Where To Play Chess
The SCCF strives to maintain an up-to-date list of chess clubs, teams, and places to play and get instruction in the southern California area. Submit updates or corrections by emailing us here. Be advised that some clubs are still closed due to Covid, and some clubs require masks but not all.
- Chess Clubs
- Chess Instruction
- Chess Teams
| City | Activities | Contact | Dues | WWW | FB |
| ALTADENA | San Gabriel Valley Chess Club meets Tuesday nights at the Altadena Community Church, 943 E Altadena Dr, Altadena 91001. The club is open from 6:00-10:00 p.m. and rounds start at 6:45 p.m. | John Wright | $30/year individuals or $50/year for a family | X | - |
| ARCADIA |
Closed until further notice. The Arcadia Chess Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays in the Senior Citizens building, 405 S. Santa Anita Ave. Continuous rated tournaments, casual play. | Randy Hough 626.282-7412 randallhough@gmail.com |
$10/year | X |  |
| BURBANK | A group meets Thursday afternoons at the Joslyn Center, 1301 W. Olive St. (at Griffith Park Drive). Casual play, ages 55 and up only. | Call 818.238.5353 | Free | - | - |
| BURBANK | A group meets Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in McCambridge Park, 1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Casual play, tournaments possible. |
tbdEmil
Klimach 818.845.1104 |
Free | - | - |
| CAMARILLO | A group meets from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays in the clubhouse at Leisure Village, 200 Leisure Village Drive. Casual play, occasional tournaments, instruction for beginners, relaxed atmosphere, coffee and cookies. |
Visitors welcome but must obtain access by calling Tim Hughes at 805.384.9079 or Ivan Bjel at 805.482.6528. | Free | - | - |
| CARLSBAD | A group meets 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays in the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Casual play. Most attendees are over age 50, but younger adults are welcome. | Call 760.602.4650 | Free | - | - |
| COLTON | A group meets at 9:00 p.m. Friday nights in a private room at Denny’s restaurant, 160 W. Valley Blvd. Casual play, blitz. | Call Denny's 909. 824.2132 |
Free | - | - |
| ESCONDIDO | All adults are invited for casual play Wednesdays from noon to 4:00 p.m. in the Escondido Senior Center, 210 Park Ave. | Call 760.839.4688 | Free | - | - |
| FRESNO | The Fresno Chess Club meets 6:00 p.m. to midnight Mondays and Fridays in Carl's Jr. restaurant, 3820 N. Cedar Ave. Rated tournaments, non-rated quick chess quads, casual play, lectures, chess library, newsletter. More than 100 members! | Bob Rasmussen 559.708.8100 |
$20/year, $10/year for students, women, and those who live outside Fresno County. | X | - |
FULLERTON  |
The Too Tough Chess Club of Orange County meets from 5:00 p.m. to Midnight Fridays at 603 N. Pomona Ave. #D Fullerton 92832. Casual play. Adults only. | John Stoeckel 714.390.9863 tootuffchessclub@gmail.com |
Free | X | |
| GARDEN GROVE | ChessPalace opens at 3 pm Tuesday-Saturday. Events include weekly rated tournaments (Wed/Sat), open play/casual night (Th/F 5:30-10 pm $10), scholastic tournaments (Sun), classes, lessons, chess camp, lectures, and simuls. Chess books, sets, accessories, gifts, and gift cards are also available for purchase. | Call the chess club at 714-643-8828 or Email: info@chesspalace.com |
$50/month for ChessPalace membership or $500/year | X | |
| GLENDALE | The chess park at 227 N. Brand Blvd. is open day and night for casual play. Speed tournaments, occasional weekend tournaments. | - | Free | - | - |
| IRVINE | A group meets 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays at the Rancho Senior Center,
3 Ethel Coplen Way. Casual play, mostly seniors. |
Call 949.724.6800 | Free | - | - |
| JOSHUA TREE | The Joshua Tree Chess Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays at Faith Lutheran Church , 6336 Hallee Rd. in Joshua Tree. Casual play, occasional tournaments, some instruction, junior chess program. | Mark Muller 760.367.2311 |
Free | - | - |
| LA PALMA | The La Palma Chess Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Fridays in Central Park, 7821 Walker St. Continuous rated tournaments, blitz, casual play, free coffee, boards and sets provided. | Brian Scanlon 714.523.2550 or Mike Brady 562.867.8248 | $60 for four months of rated tournament play or reduced amounts for individual tournaments, $5 less to La Palma residents. | X | - |
| LA QUINTA |
The Coachella Chess Club meets 4:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Thursdays in the La Quinta Public Library, 78275 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253. Casual play and rated tournaments. | Lars Meyer or Coachella CC |
Free | X | - |
| LAGUNA BEACH | People gather to play chess at the permanent chess table on the boardwalk. | - | Free | - | - |
| LAGUNA HILLS | A group meets 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesdays in the Game Master, Suite 1530 of the Laguna Hills Mall. Casual play. | Call 949.457.0290 | Free | - | - |
| LAGUNA WOODS | The Leisure World Chess Club meets 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays in the Community Center building in Leisure World. Open to the public. Casual play. | Charlie Frasier |
$10/year | - | - |
| LAKE FOREST | A group gathers for speed chess tournaments several times a year. | David Zechiel | Free | - | - |
| LANCASTER | Antelope Valley Chess Club plays at Panera Bread at 43458 10th St W #101, Lancaster, CA 93534 every Monday starting at 5:00 p.m. | 909.717.4799 | See write-up |
X | - |
| LANCASTER | A group meets 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursdays in the Antelope Valley Senior Center, 777 West Jackman St. Casual play. | Email Excell Peoples Or call the Senior Center at 661.726.4400 |
Free | - | - |
| LANCASTER | Casual players meet at random times at Starbucks, 44600 Valley Central Way. | John Buck 661.816.1423 |
Free | - | - |
| LAWNDALE (SOUTH BAY) | The Alondra Park Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesdays at 3850 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Rated tournament games start at 6:45 p.m. | Richard Meller 310.227.2873 |
$5/tournament | X | - |
| LONG BEACH | The chess room in Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., is open for casual play from noon to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays. | - | Free | - | - |
| LOS ANGELES | A unique club, L.A. Chess Ladder, offers the chance to play opponents at a time and place of your choosing. Free. Rules are posted at the club’s website. | Darren Himeles 310.729.7721 |
Free | X | - |
| LOS ANGELES | The Los Angeles Chess Club (LACC) meets on the second floor of 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., above Javan restaurant. 6 weekend tournaments and 4 levels of classes for children and adults on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesday evenings. | Mick Bighamian 310.795.5710 |
Adults $295/year, juniors/seniors $275/year or $10/visit for non-members, first visit free. | LA Valley |
- |
| LOS ANGELES | The Santa Monica Bay Chess Club meets 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tuesdays in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 11555 National Blvd. Variety of rated tournaments, casual play, simuls, over 50 years in business. | Pete Savino 310.827.2789 |
$75/year, $40/year for women, free for juniors under 19. | X |
- |
| LOS ANGELES | Starbuck’s, 5301 W. Centinela Blvd., welcomes chessplayers for casual play, speed chess, bughouse and occasional serious events. Daily until 10 p.m. | Call 310.338.1297 | Free | - | - |
| MISSION VIEJO | Mission Viejo Chess Club - In person play 2nd Saturday each month, patio behind MV Senior Center from 3 to 5 p.m. Ongoing online play on Chess.com. | Bill Humphreys | Free | X | - |
| MORRO BAY | A group meets 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at the big chess board on Embarcadero at Morro Bay Blvd. Chess pieces may be checked out weekdays from the Parks and Recreation Dept. | Eugene Arcamonte |
Free | - |
- |
| NATIONAL CITY | The National City Chess Club meets 2:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m. daily at 1341 E. 8th St. Casual play, chess videos available, free instruction for scholastic members ages 7 to 12, informal atmosphere. | Jorge Balares 619.477.3118 or 619.788.8395 |
No dues but small donations welcome | - | - |
| NEWHALL | The California Youth Chess League conducts a scholastic chess club 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mondays, except holidays, in Vincenzo’s Pizza, 24504½ Lyons Ave. Casual play, blitz, bughouse, free instruction for total beginners. Parents or guardians must stay with kids. | Jay Stallings 661. 288.1705 |
Free | X |  |
| NORWALK | Teens in grades 6 through 12 are invited to the Norwalk Public Library, 12350 Imperial Highway, on the first Monday of every month for casual play. Chess books and videos available. | Call teen librarian Charmetria Marshall at 562.868.0775. | Free | - | - |
| OCEANSIDE |
The North County Chess Club meets 7:00 p.m. Thursdays. NCCC is a USCF affiliate open to players of all ages and skill levels. Tournaments typically have over 30 entries. There is a $25 entry fee for a 5-week tournament. | The contact form on the website is the best way to contact us | Free | X | - |
| PASADENA | The Pasadena Chess Club meets from 6:45 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Fridays in the Boys and Girls Club, 3230 E. Del Mar Blvd. Continuous tournaments at 7 p.m. Fridays. | Tim Thompson 626.303.7873 |
Regular $20/year Junior $10/year |
X | - |
| PORT HUENEME | The Port Hueneme Chess Club meets Tuesdays in the Community Center, 550 Park Ave. Free chess lessons for children and beginners from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Casual play for adults and tournament players from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Call the Community Center at 805.986.6542 or Alexander Bykovtsev at 805.985.4839 | Free | - | - |
| PORT HUENEME | The Sea Knights Chess Club meets from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays in Building 1387 of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division. Open to all with access to the naval base. Casual play, instruction. | Lt. Brian T. Curran | Free | - | - |
| RANCHO CUCAMONGA | The Rancho Cucamonga Chess Club meets Saturdays for tournaments and instruction. | Taras McKey 909.292.7522 |
$1 per tournament | - | - |
| REDLANDS | The Joslyn Center Chess Club meets 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays in the Joslyn Senior Center, 21 Grant St. Casual play, non-rated tournaments. | Call the Senior Center at 909.798.7550 |
Free | - | - |
| RIDGECREST | The Ridgecrest Chess Club meets 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays in the Kern County Library (west entrance), 131 E. Las Flores Ave. Casual play, occasional scholastic and club tournaments. | Dwight Morgan 760.377.0034 |
Free | - | - |
| RIVERSIDE |
A group meets in-person every Wednesday from 11am-5pm across from the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Cafe near the UCR HUB (Highlander Union Building). Everyone is welcome to come and play, but masks are required. We also hold weekly blitz lichess tournaments every Friday from 5pm-6pm to provide a remote option. | Email contact | Free | - | |
| RIVERSIDE | A group meets 3:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays for casual play and blitz at the Orange Terrace Library, 20010 Orange Terrace Pkwy, Riverside, CA 92508. Bring equipment. Open to all ages. | James Williamson 951.826.2184 |
Free | - | - |
| RIVERSIDE | A group meets for casual play and blitz at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evenings in Back to the Grind Café, 3575 University Ave. Bring equipment. | Call the café 951.784.0800 |
Free | X | - |
| SAN DIEGO | Downtown Chess meets 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fridays at the new Central Library, 330 Park Blvd. Casual play, quarterly tournaments, blitz tournaments. All ages welcome. | Central Library 619.236.5800 |
Free | - | |
| SAN DIEGO | The San Diego Chess Club meets at 2225 Sixth Avenue at 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays and at 10:00 a.m. Saturdays. Rated tournaments, casual play, chess library, lessons available. | Call the club 619.752-4377 or email Chuck Ensey |
$72/year for adults, $60/year for seniors and active military, $48/year for juniors. | X, Pics | |
| SAN LUIS OBISPO | The San Luis Obispo Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays in Carl’s Jr., 195 N. Santa Rosa St. Casual play, lectures, occasional tournaments. | Michael McCreary | Free | X | - |
| SANTA MONICA | Chess tables are available from sunup to sundown daily at the Santa Monica International Chess Park, on the promenade just south of the Santa Monica pier. Casual chess, blitz, chess bulletin board, large demonstration board, occasional summer tournaments. | - | Free | X | - |
| TEMECULA | The Temecula Chess Club meets most weekdays and Saturdays in Suite 213 of 27403 Santa Ynez Rd. Schedule here. A very active club with a variety of rated tournaments, instruction, lectures and exhibitions. | Call 951.327.1000 or email info@temeculachess.com |
Free | X | - |
| THOUSAND OAKS | The Thousand Oaks Chess Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Mondays at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Rd. Continuous rated tournaments with one game per week, occasional blitz tournaments, casual play. One of the largest local clubs, all ages welcome. | Cindy Garcia 805.990.0136 |
Free | - | - |
| VALENCIA | A scholastic club meets 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursdays at Lighthouse Learning Center, 28300 Constellation. Casual play. |
Jay Stallings 661.288.1705 |
Free | - | - |
| VENTURA | The Ventura County Chess Club meets at 6:50 p.m. Mondays in Grace Lutheran Church, 6190 Telephone Rd. Rated tournaments, casual play, free chess instruction. | Jack Cashman 805.487.2604 |
$30/year for adults, $20/year for seniors over 60, $15/year for students and military. | X | - |
| VENTURA | The E. P. Foster Library at 651 E. Main St. hosts a chess club for school-age kids and teens from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays. Instruction, casual play. | Call the library at 805.648.2716 |
Free | X | - |
| WEST COVINA | The West Covina Chess Club meets 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Senior Center, 2501 E. Cortez St. All ages welcome. Casual play, rated and non-rated tournaments on Tuesdays. Bring chess equipment. No speed chess! | Call the Senior Center at 626.331.5366 | ? | - | - |
| WEST HILLS | The West Valley Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thursdays in Shomrei Torah Synagogue in Hirsch Hall, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd. Continuous rated tournaments, blitz, casual play, handicap accessible. One of the largest local clubs. | Scott Hunt 818.298.5255 |
$20/year | - | - |
| WHITTIER | The Whittier Chess Club meets one to three times per month in the library of Whittier High School, 12417 Philadelphia St. Free rated tournaments. | Kele Perkins 626.664.2484 |
Free | - | - |
Several local businesses offer chess instruction for a fee. The SCCF provides a list of these businesses for your convenience. No endorsement should be implied.
| City | Activities | Contact | Dues | WWW | |
| CALABASAS | American Chess Academy teaches Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at 5034 Parkway Calabasas. | Armen Ambartsoumian 818.640.5974 |
Call | X | - |
| GARDEN GROVE | Chess Palace offers group classes for beginners, Tuesday to Friday, and private lessons for beginners and intermediate students at any age. | Call the chess club at 714-643-8828 or Email: info@chesspalace.com | Call | X | |
| GLENDALE | American Chess Academy teaches Monday through Friday at 209 N. Louise St. Contact Armen Ambartsoumian at (818) 640-5974 or at americanchessacademy@gmail.com. Website: achessacademy.org | Armen Ambartsoumian 818.640.5974 |
Call | X | - |
| IRVINE | The Hanley Chess Academy teaches children ages 4-18 in Suite 120 of 2091 Business Center Drive. Classes, USCF-rated tournaments, holiday and summer camps. |
Joe Hanley 714.925.3195 |
Call | X | - |
| LANCASTER | The AV Chess House offers instruction on Friday afternoons at 3710 Neola Way. Students may join the HomeSchool Chess Club (from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and the AV-Wide K-8 Chess Club (from 4:00 pm. to 5:30 p.m.) for a per-semester fee. Rated and non-rated tournaments on most weekends, newsletter, other events and activities by appointment. | 661-917-7628 | See write-up |
X | - |
| LOS ANGELES | The Los Angeles Chess Club (LACC) meets on the second floor of 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., above Javan restaurant. 6 weekend tournaments and 4 levels of classes for children and adults on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesday evenings. | Mick Bighamian 310.795.5710 |
Adults $295/year, juniors/seniors $275/year or $10/visit for non-members, first visit free. | LA Valley |
- |
| NORTH HOLLYWOOD | American Chess Academy teaches noon to 1:00 p.m. Saturdays at 11960 Victory Blvd. | Armen Ambartsoumian 818.640.5974 |
Call | X | - |
| RANCHO CUCAMONGA | The Rancho Cucamonga Chess Club meets Saturdays for tournaments and instruction. | Taras McKey 909.292.7522 |
$1 per tournament | - | - |
| RANCHO CUCAMONGA | Rhapsody Education 7201 Archibald Ave., #14 Rancho Cucamonga, CA Chess Classes and Lessons Saturday Rated Scholastic tournaments |
(909) 527-4999 | ? | - | - |
| SANTA ANA | Fundamental Chess Academy offers youth chess classes on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays at 1740 E Garry Ave #101. Tournaments held biweekly on Fridays. | Derek Tan 714.584.9408 |
Call | X | - |
| SIMI VALLEY | American Chess Academy teaches Monday and Friday afternoons at 1925 Royal Ave. | Armen Ambartsoumian 818.640.5974 |
Call | X | - |
| TEMECULA | The Temecula Chess Club meets 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in Suite 213 of 27403 Santa Ynez Rd. Instruction, lectures, exhibitions, rated tournaments and casual play. | Call 951.327.1000 or write to info@temeculachess.com |
Call | X | - |
| THOUSAND OAKS | American Chess Academy teaches 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays in the Revo Academy building, 1080 E. Janss Rd. | Armen Ambartsoumian 818.640.5974 |
Call | X | - |
| VALENCIA | The California Youth Chess League conducts classes (60 to 90 minutes, depending on level) on Wednesdays and Fridays for young players at Lighthouse Learning Center, 28300 Constellation Rd. | Jay Stallings 661.288.1705 |
$15 per class | X | - |
Below is a list of local chess teams.
| Logo | Name | Contact | Level | Home Page |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
San Diego Surfers | Keaton Kiewra | Pro | X | - |