Chess Clubs in Arkansas

Chess in Arkansas is organized around the Arkansas Chess Association (ACA), the state's USCF affiliate, online at arkansaschess.net. The ACA sponsors the Arkansas State Championship every August in Russellville, along with other rated events across the state through the year. Little Rock is the clear center of gravity, with the Little Rock Community Chess Club, the West Little Rock Chess Club, and the Southwest Little Rock Chess Club all holding regular meetings and tournaments. Scholastic chess has real momentum too: in 2022, White Hall's William Donham became the youngest Arkansas state champion in the event's history at age 16, training with the Little Rock club that meets weekly at Mosaic Church. Fayetteville and the Northwest Arkansas corridor add a smaller but active scholastic and college scene outside the capital, anchored by the Fayetteville Chess Club and the University of Arkansas Chess Club.

• The Arkansas State Championship draws players to Russellville's Courtyard by Marriott each August, with the state title and a path to national competition on the line.
• The Little Rock Community Chess Club meets Tuesday evenings at Mosaic Church and has helped develop some of the state's strongest scholastic players, including 2022 state champion William Donham.
• West Little Rock Chess Club and the Southwest Little Rock Chess Club both run USCF-rated local tournaments, so central Arkansas players have more than one place to find a rated game close to home.