Chess in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio
A running list of places to play chess in NE Ohio, both for fun and to compete!
Regular NE Ohio Weekly Chess Meetups:
Updated as of May 2024
Mondays:
5:30 pm - Free Casual Play at the Stark Library - Main Library in Canton, OH. Learn More.
6 pm - Free Casual Play & USCF-Rated Blitz at Common Grounds Coffee 17104 Lorain Ave. Learn More.
Tuesdays:
9 am - Free Casual Play at the McKinley Memorial Public Library in Niles, OH. Learn More.
1 pm - Friendly Competition Between Friends. Westlake Senior Center. Learn More.
2 pm - Free Casual Play for the Blind & Visually Impaired at the CLE Sight Center on the 1st & 3rd Tues Each Month. Learn More.
2 pm - Free Casual Play at Warrior Inc Chess House in Youngstown. Learn More.
4:30 pm - Free Casual Play at the East Cleveland Public Library. Learn More.
6:30 pm - Free Casual Play at The BottleHouse Brewery at 2050 Lee Rd, Cleveland Hts.
7 pm - Parma Chess Club meets at German Central. Learn More.
Wednesdays:
2 pm - Free Casual Play at Warrior Inc Chess House in Youngstown. Learn More.
4 pm - Free Casual Play at the South Lorain Branch of the Lorain Public Library System. Learn More.
6 pm - Free Casual Play & USCF-Rated Blitz at Common Grounds Coffee 17104 Lorain Ave. Learn More.
6 pm - Free Casual Play Riverwood Chapel 1407 Fairchild Ave, Kent, OH. Learn More.
Thursdays:
2 pm - Free Casual Play at Warrior Inc Chess House in Youngstown. Learn More.
4 pm - Chess Club Grades K - 8 at the Garfield Hts Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. Learn More.
4:30 pm - Free Casual Play at the East Cleveland Public Library. Learn More.
5 pm - Free Casual Play at Brecksville Panera. Learn More.
7 pm - Case Western Reserve University Chess Club: Food court of the Tinkham Veale University Center (11038 Bellflower Rd.). During School Semester only. Learn More.
Fridays:
1 pm - Friendly Competition Between Friends. Westlake Senior Center. Learn More.
6 pm - Free Casual Play. All Ages Welcome. 17325 Euclid Ave, Suite #2119. Learn More.
Saturdays:
9 am - Free Casual Play at McKinley Memorial Public Library in Niles, OH. Learn More.
10 am - Chess Club at the Twinsburg Public Library. Free Casual Play. Learn More.
10 am - Free Casual Play at Warrior Inc Chess House in Youngstown. Learn More.
11 am - Free Casual Play at Parma Library (Powers Blvd near the hospital).
Sundays:
11 am - Free Casual Play at the University Circle Panera Bread at 11462 Euclid Ave
4 pm - Free Casual Play. 17325 Euclid Ave Suite 2119. Learn More.
Upcoming Tournaments & Chess Gatherings
May 9th at 4pm
Newton Falls Library Chess Club
Free Casual Play Kids Age 8 - 17
Newton Falls, OH
May 15th at 3pm
Cuyahoga Public Library Chess Club
Free Casual Play Grades 5 - 12
Bay Village, OH
May 18th at 10am
CLE Catholic Schools Chess Tournament
Four-Round Scholastic Tournament
Cleveland, OH
May 18th at 10:30am
Greater CLE Spring Championship
Four-Round Swiss Tournament
Brecksville, OH
May 21st at 6pm
Presentation: The Immortal Game
1851 London Intl Chess Tournament
Columbia Station, OH
Jun 4th at 4pm
Chess Club - CLE Public Library
Free Casual Learn & Play
Cleveland, OH (Addison)
Jun 13th at 3:30pm
Summer Chess - CLE Public Library
Free Casual Learn & Play
Cleveland, OH (Garden Valley)
Aug 3rd at 10:30am
Greater CLE Summer Championship
Four-Round Swiss Tournament
Brecksville, OH
Aug 7th at 3pm
Teen Chess - CLE Public Library
Free Scholastic Learn & Play
Cleveland, OH (Memorial-Nottingham)
Chess Sites I Like:
The Ohio Chess Association. They keep a solid list of upcoming tournaments in Ohio!
Progress with Chess. The largest chess nonprofit in Ohio. The leader in scholastic chess in NE Ohio.
Chess is Best w Stacia Melinda. An extraordinary chess teacher for hire, specializing in teaching kids in NE Ohio.
Greater Cleveland Chess. Beautiful boards and clocks for Friday night quads in Brecksville, OH. Lots of fun.
USChess. It’s where you go to get a USCF membership and check out tournaments all over the country!
BVH Bakery. OK, not chess related, but who doesn’t like snacks?! Locally made, delicious vegan baked goods.
