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Building a Vibrant Chess Community in Chesterfield, MO and Neighboring Cities

501(c)(3) tax exempt Non-profit Organization, USCF-rated Tournaments, weekly casual OTB chess, Chess coaching, and much more…

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Our Mission

Chess provides invaluable cognitive benefits, improves memory & focus, and enhances creativity. Chess brings diverse groups of people together and unites a community. However, there are hurdles that stand in the way. From the cost of chess equipment, expensive training programs, limited availability of long-time control tournaments on a frequent interval, and gender imbalances. Chess Cardinals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to addressing these issues with the following goals:

  • Build a strong chess community by organizing low-cost tournaments and training for the general public.
  • Develop affordable afterschool & summer chess programs to promote scholastic chess.
  • Create a chess excellence program to increase female players participation.

Anyone can play in USCF-rated tournaments but only with a valid & unexpired membership ID.

How to get a USCF-membership ID? Click here

Coach Gaaya with Riverbend Elementary School Chess Team

Club Tournament Format

  • Thursday OPEN (Weekly recurring) at Chesterfield MALL (G25/d5)- open to everyone (see details below)
  • Monday Knights (G60/d5) at Chesterfield Mall, UNIT#156, Chesterfield)- restricted to Kids above 1000 rating and Adults of any rating (See details below)
  • Sunday Serious Swiss75; d5 at Chesterfield Mall, UNIT#156, Chesterfield)-Open to USCF 700 rating or more…. REGISTER NOW

MISSOURI CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP (8-9 JUL)

Super exciting news to share!!! We are working with the Missouri Chess Association to host the Missouri Class Championship at Chesterfield, MO! Mark your calendars for July 8th-9th. The best chess players from across the state will come together to battle for the title of Missouri Class Champion. You can find additional information here: https://new.uschess.org/missouri-class-championships.

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION (19JUNE to 23 JUNE)

Register NOW using this link: Google Registration Form

Free Chess Lectures (NEXT: 5/25/23)

We invite all U1200 to our next Chess Lecture on 5/25/23. Please RSVP by texting at 210-912-3729 or email us with your name and USCF ID number.

Chess tournaments

A) Chess Cardinals-Thursday-OPEN Tournament (G25; d5)-3 Rounds.

Location: Chesterfield Mall

Weekly recurring & Open to everyone

Address: 43 Chesterfield Mall, UNIT#156, Chesterfield, MO, 63017 Time: 6.00 PM to 8:30 PM CST (Thursday) Registration begins at 5:30 PM. Byes are allowed in any round. Entry Fees: $2 per night. USCF membership is required to play in the rated tournament. Please complete the google page to RSVP each week for on-site payment (LINK) or REGISTER ONLINE & MAKE PAYMENT Before Arrival (LINK). We prefer ONLINE Payment.

B) Chess Cardinals Monday-Knights (G60; d5)- 4-5 Rounds/month

Location: Chesterfield Mall

Additional Info:

  • Open to all adults (regardless of USCF-rating) but Kids/Scholastic players must have >1000 USCF-rating
  • 1 Round per Night, 3-5 games expected per month & USCF-rated at the end of the month. Format: G60/d5, Notation is required. Use this google form to register for MONDAY KNIGHTS.
  • Address: 43 Chesterfield Mall, UNIT#156, Chesterfield, MO, 63017. Time: 7.00 PM to 9:30 PM CST (Monday) (registration begins at 6:45 PM; Players are allowed to join any week of their choice and take BYES as needed)

C) Chesterfield Serious Sunday Swiss (G75 OPEN section; G45 U1100)

Location: Chesterfield Mall

Additional Info:

  • We invite everyone to our Chesterfield SUNDAY SERIOUS SWISS tournament! USCF rated. Date: Sunday (2/26/23). Open to everyone. Space & Sets are limited, so please bring your chess sets and clocks. Please use registration online. ONLINE REGISTRATION LINK
  • Section: Above 1000 Section, 3 rounds and U1000 Section; 4 rounds, Swiss style.
  • Prize: $100 total prize money to OPEN section (1st $75, and 2nd $25 based on 20 entries, and trophies to U1100.
  • Time control: OPEN SECTION (G/75; d5) and U1100 SECTION (G/45; d5). Note the difference in time-controls. Schedule: Registration for both sections from 9:15-9:50 AM. Entry Fees: Above 1000 Section – $20, U1000 – $10. 

Chess Cardinals Club @ chesterfield mall

Event Gallery

Click here to checkout our Events Gallery

“The clock is ticking and now is the best time to help developing the pieces with your generous donation.“

Please join us in our efforts so that more and more people can reap the benefits of chess. Your donations are tax-deductible. 100% of all proceeds will be used for attaining Chess Cardinals overall mission in promoting chess. At this time, we are also seeking volunteers for our upcoming tournaments and appreciate all the help we can get!

Why play chess?

“The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions…By playing at Chess then, we may learn: 1st, Foresight, which looks a little into futurity, and considers the consequences that may attend an action … 2nd, Circumspection, which surveys the whole Chess-board, or scene of action: – the relation of the several Pieces, and their situations; … 3rd, Caution, not to make our moves too hastily….” Benjamin Franklin, The Morals of Chess

Mission

As a Non-Profit Organization and registered club under US Chess Federation, we strive to fulfill the USCF educational mission: Empower people, enrich lives, and enhance communities through Chess. https://new.uschess.org/news/us-chess-announces-new-mission-statement.