Chess Coaches in Florida
Florida chess runs on a strong scholastic pipeline and a handful of long-running clubs, with St. Petersburg's early chess history and Orlando's modern tournament scene anchoring the state.
- 16
- Clubs
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- Coaches
- 36
- Upcoming events
- 4,362
- Florida USCF players
The Florida Chess Association (FCA), founded in 1939, is the official US Chess state affiliate and organizes the state championship and Florida's scholastic events. St. Petersburg holds one of the state's oldest chess traditions: the St. Pete Chess Club opened in the early 1930s and is often cited as one of the oldest continuously operating chess clubs in the United States, still meeting in its original downtown building. Orlando's Central Florida Chess Club, established in 1987, has organized more than 400 US Chess-rated events and helped make the city a modern hub, one that hosted the U.S. Open in 2011, 2014, and 2019 (with nearby Kissimmee hosting in 1997). The annual state championship, once run in past years as the Arnold Denker Florida State Championship, is today the Harvey Lerman Florida State Chess Championship.
- Play in or follow the Harvey Lerman Florida State Chess Championship, the FCA's marquee annual event.
- Central Florida Chess Club in Orlando, running since 1987, is one of the most active US Chess affiliates in the state for regular rated play.
- St. Petersburg carries the state's deepest chess history, with the St. Pete Chess Club dating to the early 1930s and still meeting in its original building.
Arnold Denker
Two-time U.S. Chess Champion (1944, defended 1946) who lived in Fort Lauderdale and died there in 2005; the Florida state championship was run in his name for several years.
Ray Robson
Grew up in Largo and Clearwater, Florida, and became a grandmaster in 2010, at the time the youngest American to earn the title.
Julio Becerra Rivero
Grandmaster based in South Miami and a record nine-time Florida state champion, as well as an active coach in the South Florida scene.
Official USCF rating list · August 1, 2026
- 1Caruana, Fabiano2870
- 2Schwartzman, Gabriel2617
- 3Yip, Carissa Shiwen2523
- 4Becerra, Julio J2494
- 5Vazquez, Octavio2477
2 upcoming USCF-rated tournaments in and around Florida. Next up: ECA August Scholastic 2026 on August 29, 2026 in Gainesville, FL.
See full Florida USCF statsMap
The Bloomingdale Chess Club meets every Wednesday night at the Bloomingdale Regional library. The address is 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Boards, sets, clocks, and score sheets are provided free of charge. All a...
Chess Coaches in Florida
4 resultsBrowse private coaches, club instructors, and verified local training options in Florida.
I am a family focused coach located in the Treasure Coast. I specialize in teaching the fundamentals of the game in an easy to understand way. My approach focuses on developing a love of the game that allows for stude...
Chess Clubs in Florida
16 resultsJoin local clubs, scholastic programs, and community organizers tied to Florida.
The Bloomingdale Chess Club meets every Wednesday night at the Bloomingdale Regional library. The address is 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Boards, sets, clocks, and score sheets are provided free of charge. All a...
Central Florida Chess Club is an established nonprofit chess club serving the Orlando and Central Florida chess community. Founded in 1987, CFCC hosts regular US Chess rated tournaments, weekend hotel events, scholast...
More than chess. A transformation. CHESS TEAM FL is dedicated to building stronger players and better people through chess. We provide personalized instruction for children (ages 4+), competitive juniors, ambitious a...
ChessMinds Chess Club is a South Florida chess community founded by Stephen Herreros, offering rated tournaments, lessons, and competitive events for players of different ages and rating levels. The club is especially...
Endgame Chess Academy runs scholastic tournaments and training programs designed to help players improve in a structured, competitive environment. Events include USCF-rated tournaments with multiple sections based on...
FishHawk Chess Club meets on Monday’s from 6-8 p.m. All ages welcome! See website for info on meeting location, matches, lessons, and tournaments!
Join us for our weekly Chess Club meetings where students of all skill levels come together to play, learn, and enjoy the game of chess. Whether you’re a beginner looking to pick up the basics or an experienced player...
Kava Social Chess Club is Bradenton’s go to spot for relaxed, social chess. Whether you’re just learning the game or a seasoned player, the club welcomes all levels from beginners to masters. The club meets twice a w...
Orlando Chess Club hosts regular rated tournaments and events for players across Central Florida. The club is focused on providing competitive yet welcoming events for players of all ages and skill levels, with a mix...
Chess club for all ages from beginners to master strength. Two locations. Panera Bread 1707 St Lucie West Blvd, Port St Lucie, Fl Tues: 12 pm. Thur/Sun : 1pm Barnes and Noble, Jensen Beach FL Sat-12:30 pm
South Miami Chess Club is dedicated to growing the chess community in South Florida through professionally organized tournaments, engaging lessons, school programs, and family-friendly events. Whether you're learning...
Tampa Champions Chess hosts regular USCF rated events and training sessions for competitive players in the Tampa area. Weekly quads, tournaments, and structured events designed for serious improvement and consistent...
"Make Moves. Meet People." Tampa Bay's Largest Social Chess Club. Meets: Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun
Upcoming Tournaments
18 resultsUpcoming rated and unrated competition linked to Florida.
Weekly rated quick tournament at Panera Bread in West Melbourne.
What to expect Show up, get paired, play 4 rounds, results the same night
Format 4 round Swiss Time control G10 with 2 second delay
Sections may be s...
Weekly rated blitz tournament at Nocturne Teas Kava Bar.
What to expect Show up, get paired, play multiple blitz games, results the same day
Format 5 round double Swiss (10 games total)
Time control Black chooses G...
Tampa Champions Expert and Master Quad
Weekly Monday event from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Format 2 round USCF rated event Time control: 40 minutes with 5 second delay
Entry Fee $15 entry $30 prize to first place
Eligibi...
Weekly rated quick tournament at Panera Bread in West Melbourne.
What to expect Show up, get paired, play 4 rounds, results the same night
Format 4 round Swiss Time control G10 with 2 second delay
Sections may be s...
Blitz Tournament with Physical & Cash Prizes!&32; Match: Swiss Pairing with 5 total rounds. Time: 5 minute games with 3 second increment.
++Prizes++ Top Players of Each Section Receive Cash Prizes Based on Entry Poo...
Check in between 9:00-9:40 to the school gym at the far right hand side of the parking lot in order to make sure we start on time. Round 1 clocks start at 10:00am
Weekly rated blitz tournament at Nocturne Teas Kava Bar.
What to expect Show up, get paired, play multiple blitz games, results the same day
Format 5 round double Swiss (10 games total)
Time control Black chooses G...
Tampa Champions Expert and Master Quad
Weekly Monday event from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Format 2 round USCF rated event Time control: 40 minutes with 5 second delay
Entry Fee $15 entry $30 prize to first place
Eligibi...
Weekly rated quick tournament at Panera Bread in West Melbourne.
What to expect Show up, get paired, play 4 rounds, results the same night
Format 4 round Swiss Time control G10 with 2 second delay
Sections may be s...
Weekly rated blitz tournament at Nocturne Teas Kava Bar.
What to expect Show up, get paired, play multiple blitz games, results the same day
Format 5 round double Swiss (10 games total)
Time control Black chooses G...
Tampa Champions Expert and Master Quad
Weekly Monday event from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Format 2 round USCF rated event Time control: 40 minutes with 5 second delay
Entry Fee $15 entry $30 prize to first place
Eligibi...
Weekly rated quick tournament at Panera Bread in West Melbourne.
What to expect Show up, get paired, play 4 rounds, results the same night
Format 4 round Swiss Time control G10 with 2 second delay
Sections may be s...
Check in between 9:00-9:40 to the school gym at the far right hand side of the parking lot in order to make sure we start on time. Round 1 clocks start at 10:00am
Weekly rated blitz tournament at Nocturne Teas Kava Bar.
What to expect Show up, get paired, play multiple blitz games, results the same day
Format 5 round double Swiss (10 games total)
Time control Black chooses G...
Tampa Champions Expert and Master Quad
Weekly Monday event from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Format 2 round USCF rated event Time control: 40 minutes with 5 second delay
Entry Fee $15 entry $30 prize to first place
Eligibi...
Upcoming Events
18 resultsUpcoming club nights, camps, workshops, and community events linked to Florida.
Join us Thursday evenings at Tin & Taco Sodo & Sodough Square's shared restaurant for some great food, friends, and fun. Free open play chess meetup every week. Join us!
Test your luck against some of Tampa Bay's best chess players! Thursdays the club hosts regular tournaments, open-play, & special events. All events offer both a beginner friendly guidance & advanced play sections.
Weekly club meetup open to players of all ages and skill levels.
What to expect Drop in, play games, meet local players, and enjoy a mix of casual and competitive chess
Free to attend
Rated and casual play both ava...
Join us at Noble Brew Saturdays (bi-weekly) at 8:00 PM for casual games, good company, and a relaxed atmosphere. All skill levels welcome.
Claro's Coffee House
Hosted by Orlando Chess Club
What could go better than Chess and Coffee? Come join the Orlando Chess Club for an afternoon of great chess fun. Coffeehouse Chess at its finest!
The Knights Class is part of the Tampa Knights group improvement program. Come improve your chess with structured lessons! 3:00 PM - Fundamentals Section 4:00 PM - Advanced Section (recommend for players rated 900 -...
Sunday nights are our Kava Casual Chess&32;♟️✨, alternating between relaxed casual chess nights and structured rapid tournament brackets 🏆⏱️. Come hang out, meet other players, and enjoy casual games during our free...
Every Monday we meet at the Oviedo Mall Food Court from 6-9p for free, open play chess. It is open to all ages and skill levels. No registration required. Come join us!
The Knights Social offers the perfect setting to unwind, connect, and enjoy an evening full of chess!
AJ Chocolate House
Hosted by Orlando Chess Club
An exciting new venue for Chess on Tuesday evening! Come join the Orlando Chess Club for Chess and Chocolate and lots of fun.
Join us for Tactical Tuesday: Guided Chess Study Night, a relaxed group session focused on learning, improving, and talking through positions together. We’ll study tactics, openings, strategy, and real games in a begi...
Chess At Jacobs Cafe
Hosted by Orlando Chess Club
Come join the Orlando Chess Club in playing chess at Jacobs Cafe! Great atmosphere, great food and lots of fun.
Join us Thursday evenings at Tin & Taco Sodo & Sodough Square's shared restaurant for some great food, friends, and fun. Free open play chess meetup every week. Join us!
Test your luck against some of Tampa Bay's best chess players! Thursdays the club hosts regular tournaments, open-play, & special events. All events offer both a beginner friendly guidance & advanced play sections.
Weekly club meetup open to players of all ages and skill levels.
What to expect Drop in, play games, meet local players, and enjoy a mix of casual and competitive chess
Free to attend
Rated and casual play both ava...
Claro's Coffee House
Hosted by Orlando Chess Club
What could go better than Chess and Coffee? Come join the Orlando Chess Club for an afternoon of great chess fun. Coffeehouse Chess at its finest!
The Knights Class is part of the Tampa Knights group improvement program. Come improve your chess with structured lessons! 3:00 PM - Fundamentals Section 4:00 PM - Advanced Section (recommend for players rated 900 -...
More Links
A few more useful paths from the same area.