Children's Tournaments & Clubs

Featured Tournaments

1. Signature Tournaments: Every weekend around the Bay Area (info | register)
2. CalChess Super State Championship on March 14 and/or 15: 24 sections for all levels (info | register)

Want to Save Money?

1. BayAreaChess Membership offers 25% discount of all our tournaments.
2. Multi tournament discount when you register for more than one tournament at the same time.

New to Chess =
After-School Programs or Clubs

Are you new to chess? Learn chess basics in your after-school program or our beginner clubs...

1. If you already have an after-school program, you can register & get information here. If you don't have an after-school program, you can Request New Program. See why that is a great idea.
2. Regardless of whether you attend our after-school program, you can enroll in Weekend Chess Clubs to benefit from top-quality coaches. Choose from 4 locations and 5 times at South Bay and Peninsula. If you don't find a convenient location and time, please contact us.

Bridge to Tournaments =
Rising Star Events

Can you play through a game and checkmate? Cross the bridge chess basics in your after-school program or our beginner clubs...

1. We simulate rated tournaments to prepare children for their first rated tournament.
2. We also orient parents so they can understand the process. Rising Star events are scheduled 1-2 times every month.
3. See Rising Star events to learn more.
4. Meanwhile, you can "level up" in your Weekend Chess Club or After-school Program.

Play Rated Tournaments =
Signature Events & Advanced Clubs

Are you ready for rated tournaments? We can help you improve and win rated tournaments...

• Signature events (info | register)
  1. Swiss are usually 4 games 9:30am to 1:30pm (arrive by 9:15am).
  2. Quads are usually 3 games 1:45pm to 4:30pm (MUST check-in 1:30-2pm).
• Our Special Events have sections based on rating (including unrated) for players at all levels. They are usually 4-6 games starting around 9 to 10am. See below for a sample of these events and track the upcoming special events in the main dropdown menu under Scholastic Tournaments.
  1. Early January - New Year Youth Championship
  2. March - CalChess Super States Championship
  3. Memorial Day Weekend - Best of the West Kids Championship
  4. July - Young People's Championship
  5. Labor Day Weekend - Labor Day Kids Championship
  6. November -Thanksgiving Kids' Championship
  7. November or December - CalChess Grade Level Championship
• See New at Chess to learn differences between rated and unrated tournaments, Swiss and Quads, different time controls, ...

Major Events =
Advanced Tournaments, National/State/Regional Championships, & Chess Teams

Is your rating over 1000? We suggest regular/adult tournaments and Championship section of National/State/Regional Championships...

• Adult events (info) 1-2 times every weekend. This includes: info)
  1. 1-Day events (info) | (info)) with 3 or 4 rounds with G/45, G/60, G/75, or G/90 time controls.
  2. 2 or 3-Day events (info) | (info)) with 6 or 7 rounds with G/90 +30 or similar time control over 3 days. There is a 2-Day option for players who can catch up on the first few games with G/60 or similar time control.
• Our National/State/Regional Championships' Championship sections. See below for a sample of these events and track the upcoming special events in the main dropdown menu under Scholastic Tournaments.
  1. January - New Year Open Championship
  2. January OR February - US National Junior Chess Congress
  3. March - CalChess Super States Championship
  4. Memorial Day Weekend - Best of the West Championship
  5. July - People's Championship
  6. Labor Day - CalChess State Open Championship
  7. November -Thanksgiving Class Warfare Championship