The following is a list of chess camps, tournaments, clubs and associations that may provide other opportunities to play and learn chess in the greater Charlotte area. The events and organizations listed here are not sponsored or endorsed by the CMSCA, but are provided only as a reference. If you would like to add another event, please contact us. All items are listed alphabetically or by date.

Chess Camps

Chess Camp 2012 (June 25, 2012 – June 29, 2012): This camp led by Life Master and current NC State Champion Chris Mabe is open to scholastic campers of all levels. Camp hours are from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Camp activities will include lessons in tactics, openings, middlegame planning, endgame strategy, and tournament play (i.e. tournament rules, etiquette, and sportsmanship). Particular attention will be paid to thinking in chess and developing a plan. Chess variants as well as chess history will also be explored. For the official flyer, click here.

Chess Tournaments

Kings and Queens Championship (January 28, 2012): The Kings and Queens Championship held at Providence Day School is open to all k-8 students, no membership necessary. Be there! Flyer attached here with more information. Register online: http://www.overthechessboard.com/register.html. No onsite registration, so we will start and end on time!

Chess Lessons and Workshops

Charlotte Chess Academy: National Master Matt Noble offers private lessons throughout the year, and summer camps for children and youth of all ages and levels. For more information, Matt can be reached at (704) 902-3665 or mnoble65@msn.com.

Charlotte Chess Lessons: Bernard Baker has been a chess instructor in Charlotte, North Carolina and Rock Hill, South Carolina since 2003. He offers private lessons for students of all ages and levels, and has experience teaching players as young as age 4 through senior citizens. He teaches at the Charlotte Youth Chess Club, and was the 2004 North Carolina State Chess Champion (U1800), and the 2004 North Carolina Class Champion (U1800). Bernard also has instructional DVDs available for purchase (ForkedKing.com).

Fabio Hurtado: Fabio has coached two South Florida school teams to first place at K-12 Nationals (Under 1200 Section). Along with more than ten years experience coaching, he is a certified Tournament Director, an 1800 rated player, and an English teacher at Cannon School in Concord. Fabio only takes a handful of private students at a time, so you can expect an individualized teaching plan along with reasonable rates. He will travel to a student's home if desired. Individual lessons are best for players USCF rated 100-1200. For more information, contact Fabio at fabhurt71@yahoo.com.

Chris Mabe: Life National Master Chris Mabe and has been a professional chess teacher in Charlotte since 2004. For information on private lessons, contact Chris at chrisjmabe@gmail.com.

Over the Chessboard: Jessica Prescott (nee Martin) has been a chess teacher for more than eleven years in Tucson, New York City, and Charlotte. Her organization, Over the Chessboard, offers private lessons, workshops and special events for all ages, with a special interest in helping girls and women improve. Check the website for updated information, including dates for the Queens Academy meetings at Barnes and Noble, 4020 Sharon Road, in Southpark. Don't miss the Kings and Queens Championship (January 28, 2012): The Kings and Queens Championship held at Providence Day School is open to all k-8 students, no membership necessary. Be there! Flyer attached here with more information. Register online: http://www.overthechessboard.com/register.html. No onsite registration, so we will start and end on time!

Young Master Chess: Founded by FIDE Master and Life National Master Mike Klein, Young Master Chess offers private lessons, workshops, camps and tournaments throughout the year. Check the website for updated events!

Chess Clubs

Ballantyne Chess Club: Open to all scholastic and adult players, the Ballantyne Chess Club meets on Friday evenings, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Barnes & Noble, 3327 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. This chess club is for scholastic players of all abilities. Players are grouped according to their ability and rating. A few volunteer scholastic chess players with good USCF ratings teach a half an hour lesson to the children at the beginning of every meeting. After that, players are paired up to play each other within their group. For more information, please email kalpana.gottiparthi@gmail.com or mchandl4@bellsouth.net. The club will resume meetings at the start of the school year.

Queen City Chess Association: Open to all adult and scholastic players, the QCCA meets every Tuesday evening at the Asian Library, 1339 Baxter Street, Charlotte, NC 28204. The club conducts a perpetual five-round tournament. Registration begins at 7:00 p.m., and rated games begin at 7:30 p.m. Entry fee is $3 for members; $5 for non-members.

Queens Academy: Don't miss the monthly meeting of the Queens Academy, open to all ages and skills levels. Come for iced coffee, hot chocolate, and chess! Please check the Over the Chessboard website for updated information, or email jprescott@overthechessboard.com with questions. Don't miss the Kings and Queens Championship (January 28, 2012): The Kings and Queens Championship held at Providence Day School is open to all k-8 students, no membership necessary. Be there! Flyer attached here with more information. Register online: http://www.overthechessboard.com/register.html. No onsite registration, so we will start and end on time!

Statesville Area Chess Club: Located just north of Charlotte, the Statesville Area Chess Club offers adult and scholastic tournaments throughout the year. In addition, the club hosts the Iredell County Homeschoolers Chess Club open to all homeschooled students, which meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Pressly Memorial ARP Church in Statesville.

University Chess Champions: Open to all scholastic players, the club meets on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Enopi, 2315 W. Arbors Drive, Suite 130, Charlotte NC 28262. For more information, please email sri2001@gmail.com or pruthi_sonia@yahoo.co.in.

Chess Associations

North Carolina Chess Association: Visit our state association's website for information on upcoming tournaments, game results, clubs, chess lessons and more.

United States Chess Federation: Browse the USCF's website for information on national tournaments, players, ratings, official rules and more. Don't miss the Chess Life and Chess Life for Kids magazines available online.

World Chess Federation: Usually referred by its French acronym, "FIDE", the World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects various national chess federations around the world and acts as the governing body of international chess competition. Visit the FIDE website for international chess news, events, ratings and more.