Southern California Chess Club & Instruction Directory
Where To Play & Learn 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.
| City | Activities | Contact | Dues |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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  |
$10/year |  |
| 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 | Meets from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesdays in the clubhouse at Leisure Village, 200 Leisure Village Drive. Casual play, occasional tournaments, instruction for beginners, relaxed atmosphere. Visitors welcome but must obtain access by calling in advance Ivan Bjel at 805.233.1130. |
Ivan Bjel at 805.233.1130 | 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. | |
FULLERTON  |
The Too Tough Chess Club of Orange County meets 1) Every Wednesday at Urban Plates 5:30PM to midnight, 3972 Barranca Pkwy Irvine, and 2) Every Friday at The Bruery 6:30 to 11 PM 717 Dunn Way Placentia. Casual play. Adults only. | John Stoeckel 714.390.9863 |
Free | |
| 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 or email us 714-643-8828 |
$50/month for ChessPalace membership or $500/year | |
| 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 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Fridays in Central Park, 7821 Walker St. Continuous rated tournaments, blitz, casual play, free coffee, boards and sets provided. Time control for rated games is G115; d5. | Brian Scanlon 714.523.2550 or Craig Faber 714.600.1453. | $57 for three months of rated tournament play, $7 less to La Palma residents. | |
| 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 | |
| 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 949.380.1332 |
$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 |
|
| 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/event | |
| 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 | |
| LOS ANGELES |
LA Chess Club meets Thursdays Thursday 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at 1317 East 16th Street Los Angeles, CA 90021. Casual play. | Contact Us | $35 |  |
| LOS ANGELES |
Los Angeles Chess Social meets at various times and days, see schedule here. Casual play. | |
? | |
| LOS ANGELES |
International Children Education Association (ICEA) meets at the Nolte Community Center 11555 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Lessons, online events and monthly rated OTB tournaments. | |
? | |
| 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 | |
| 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 805.528.4079 or Fred Brown 805.772.7074 |
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 | - |
| 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 | |
| PASADENA |
The Pisa Chess Club meets every Saturday from 5:00 pm into the evening at the Pasadena Bridge Club (second floor), 649 N. Fair OaksAve., Pasadena CA 91103. Non-rated tournament play at faster time controls. | Jim Dipista 626.440.9000 for more information | $5 entry fee | - |
| RANCHO CUCAMONGA | The Rancho Cucamonga Chess Club meets Saturdays for tournaments and instruction. | Taras McKey 909.292.7522 |
$1 per event | - |
| 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. | |
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 | |
| 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. |  |
| 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 | |
| SAN MARCOS |
A group meets at San Marcos Senior center from 1 pm to 3:30 pm each Monday. | Ala'a Moussa | Free | - |
| SANTA BARBARA |
The Santa Barbara Chess Club meets Wednesday nights at 7:15 p.m. at the Friendship Manor 6647 El Colegio Rd, Goleta CA 93117. About six rated tournaments per year. | |
Free |
|
| SUN VALLEY |
A group meets Saturday mornings in room in Heritage 221 of Grace Community Church (13248 Roscoe Blvd, Sun Valley, CA 91352). Casual play 9am-12 pm and Gospel Presentation midway through for 10-15 minutes on different verses. Bring your Bible if you can! | Michael Suzuki 661.310.5025 | Free | |
| 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 or email us 951.327.1000 |
Free | |
| THOUSAND OAKS |
The Future King Chess Club meets every Monday (Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm 29900 Ladyface Ct, Agoura Hills, CA 91301), Tuesday (Dos Vientos Community Center 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm 4801 Borchard Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320), and Wednesday (Oak Park Library 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm 899 North Kanan Road, Oak Park, CA 91377). They offer rated scholastic chess tournaments, free and paid lessons. | 310.402.6688 |
See website | |
| VENTURA | The Ventura County Chess Club meet Monday nights at 6:45 at Grace Lutheran Church, 6190 Telephone Road, across from the Ventura County Government Center. Casual chess and USCF Rated Tournament Chess is available at the Club. | Jack Cashman 747.275.4643 |
Free | |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Online private lessons or group lessons for kids. | Keaton Kiewra 402.617.6119 |
Call | |
| CALABASAS | American Chess Academy teaches Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at 5034 Parkway Calabasas. | Armen Ambartsoumian 818.640.5974 | Call | |
| GARDEN GROVE | Chess Palace offers group classes for beginners, Tuesday to Friday, and private lessons for beginners and intermediate students at any age. | Call or email us 714-643-8828
|
Call | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
|
| LOS ANGELES |
International Children Education Association (ICEA) meets at the Nolte Community Center 11555 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Lessons, online events and monthly rated OTB tournaments. | |
? | |
| NORTH HOLLYWOOD | American Chess Academy teaches noon to 1:00 p.m. Saturdays at 11960 Victory Blvd. | Armen Ambartsoumian 818.640.5974 |
Call | |
| 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 | ? | |
| SAN DIEGO |
GM Cemil Can "JJ" Ali Marandi offers private lessons. | |
Email for quote | |
| 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 | |
| SANTA CLARITA |
Masterpiece Chess Academy is a youth instruction program in Santa Clarita. They are also starting tournaments. | Timothy Abadilla 818-359-8428 |
Call | |
| SIMI VALLEY |
American Chess Academy teaches Monday and Friday afternoons at 1925 Royal Ave. | Armen Ambartsoumian 818.640.5974 |
Call | |
| 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 or email us 951.327.1000 |
Call | |
| 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 | |
| Upland |
A chess class best suited for players rated 1400 and below is held every Tuesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Pacific Community Center 814 Alpine St. Upland, CA 91786. The ongoing, thriving, and successful class covers tactics and strategy in a way to assist the student for self improvement. Pre registration and approval is required prior to participating in the class. Group workshops available for higher rated chess players as time permits. Classes are taught by FIDE Master (FM) Matthew Beelby. | 909.737.2710 |
$45 per month | - |
A list of places for casual social play, i.e. pickup-style games where you can just show up and sit down with anyone, play any time control and not take it too seriously.
| City | Activities | Contact | Dues | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown LA | DTLA Chess meets Sundays, 12-6pm @ilcaffe. | - | - | |
| Downtown LA | Thursdays are for Chess meets Thursdays, 8pm-late for chess (new club, temporary name) at various venues in the downtown Arts District. | - | - | |
| Highland Park | Highland Park Chess Club meets Wednesdays, 6-11pm @ The Hermosillo (patio). | - | - | |
| Los Feliz | The Los Feliz Chess Club meets Sundays, 12-3pm @ Trails (Trails Cafe inside griffith park) | - | - | |
| North Hollywood | Noho chess social meets Tuesdays, 6-10pm @ Brews Brothers. | - | - | |
| Pasadena | Los Angeles Chess Social meets the last Saturday of every month, 8pm-late @ various venues in Pasadena. | - | - | |
| Riverside | Back to the grind coffee shop in Riverside hosts chess nights every Thursday at 6. | - | - | - |
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