How to Join a Chess Club

Want to play chess against someone else? Here, I'll tell you how you can find a chess club.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Transportation
• Time

1. 
   The U.S. Chess Federation is one of the largest and most well organized around the world.

   First, go to http://main.uschess.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=198 and click on your state.

2. Find your town or others nearby and read about the chess clubs. Take note of the location and meeting time of a chess club and, if possible, contact the director by phone or e-mail to make sure the club is still active.

3. 
   A game of chess. Courtesy of Fred Lucas.

   Visit the chess club. Arrive early to converse with the players, some will be teeming with excitement to help inform you while others will not, this won't be a problem.

4. 
   The famous Corus chess tournament held annually in Wijk Ann Zee, Holland. Courtesy of Fred Lucas.

   When you get the chance to talk to the director ask him about how things are run. Tell him you'll be taking a test drive and looking around. Play some offhand games and try to make some friends.

5. 
   The Internet Chess Club (ICC).

   Make a decision, if you like the club and the people seem nice enough, join the club. If not then no big deal, you can start over, or just join the Internet Chess Club.

Tips & Warnings

• At the club talk to players and tell them your situation. Eventually, you'll find someone helpful who can guide you.
• Look around and test the waters. You can tell the director you're interested and just curious.
• You will get smashed your first few games. Don't be discouraged, everyone starts. When I first started I got routed the first few weeks, and although my ego could hardly take it, deep down I knew it was just part of the process.
• Do not feel obligated to pay for anything initially, tell the director kindly you won't be buying a membership until you what really goes on in the club.

Resources

• The Internet Chess Club (ICC)