Come play a game. That's the whole sales pitch.
Beginners, returning players, and experienced players are all welcome. Join the list and we'll keep you posted on meetups, events, and programs as they grow.
Join Newport ChessNewport, Rhode Island
Newport has a chess club. Come play.
Meet local players in person and help us build the chess scene on and around Aquidneck Island.
Why Newport Chess exists
Back to the board after 40 years.
Newport Chess started with one player coming back to the game after 40 years away — and deciding Newport deserved a chess club again. We're not a chess school, and nobody here is lecturing. We're building a place where seniors, kids, students, and returning players can sit down across a real board and play a real game.
The response so far has been encouraging: conversations with local schools, the Lodge, and the Newport police have all been positive, and our first talks about chess for seniors are underway. This club exists because local people keep saying yes to it.
Help build it
You decide what Newport Chess becomes.
Tell us when you can play, what formats you like, and what would actually get you to a board.
Tell us how you play.
Casual, blitz, rapid, classical, tournaments, online games, lessons — tell us what you're looking for in the message box when you join.
Join Newport Chess →Have a place we can play?
A café, lodge, community room, school, business, or short-term space could open up an evening or weekend. Suggest it in the message box when you join.
Join Newport Chess →Help local chess grow.
Beginners, experienced players, students, adults, seniors, schools — everyone belongs on the board.
Support local chess →Public roadmap
What's next.
Not promises — priorities. Local interest decides what we build first.
Evening chess
Regular play for people who can't make an afternoon meetup — now live Monday nights at the Wayfinder.
Weekend games
Casual play, longer games, or special meetups.
Online matching
Connect local players on Chess.com or Lichess.
Rapid & blitz
Shorter time controls that fit social club nights.
Tournaments
Casual events now, rated play as the group grows.
Beginner help
Make it easy for new players to get started.
School chess
Help schools start clubs, connect teams, or organize local play.
Senior chess
Chess for older adults — social, sharp, and good company. Early conversations are underway.
Community matches
Club matches, school matches, and larger Rhode Island events.
Buy a board. Help buy a clock.
You don't have to become a sponsor to help. A simple contribution puts equipment on a table and covers the little things that keep local chess running.
Support Newport ChessJoin the local player list.
Get on the list even if the library time doesn't work for you — it's how we'll know who's out there and what kind of chess people want.
Join Newport ChessOur sponsors