Does it matter if I am only a beginner?
No! We welcome players of all abilities. We have many players, ranging from beginners to Masters. You will find players of a
similar level to play with. Of course, we can't guarantee who you will be paired against in our tournaments!
What should I bring to a chess tournament?
The most important thing to bring is yourself! Please also bring a chess set (board and pieces), chess clock and pen. We also suggest
that you bring a scorebook but scoresheets will be provided if you need them. Although your opponent will probably bring a chess set,
we encourage all players to bring their own equipment.
Do I need to be a member of the USCF or Arcadia Chess Club to play in your tournaments?
Yes, all players need to join the United States Chess Federation (USCF) so that your tournament games can be rated.
You will also need to join Arcadia Chess Club. Our dues are only $10/year.
USCF Membership Fees
When will I get a USCF rating?
You will get a rating when your first tournament has been finished and rated by the USCF. Your rating is provisional until you
have played 24 games. Provisional ratings tend to fluctuate more than established ratings because your true rating is still being determined.
Can I play casual games at Arcadia Chess Club?
Yes, we have a separate room that is used for casual games and analysis. There are usually a number of people playing blitz or going over
a recently finished game with their opponent.
