Titled Chess Coaches in New Mexico

The New Mexico Chess Organization (NMCO), based in Albuquerque, is the state's US Chess affiliate and runs the New Mexico Chess State Championship, a title that has been contested nearly every year since 1946. Albuquerque carries the most weekly club activity, anchored by the Albuquerque Chess Club's Thursday night USCF-rated meetups, alongside groups like the Empire Chess Club and the Coronado Chess Club. Santa Fe Chess keeps a full rotation of casual sessions running through the week at spots like CHOMP Food Hall and Violet Crown. The NMCO's annual New Mexico Open, typically held in Albuquerque, is one of the state's biggest open tournaments, and its top finishers earn invitations into the state championship field. Santa Fe-born Jesse Kraai, who went on to earn the Grandmaster title, won the state championship five years running in the mid-2000s before competing internationally.

• The Albuquerque Chess Club meets Thursdays 5:30-9pm at Slice & Dice Pizzeria with a USCF-rated event every week and no entry fee.
• The New Mexico Open, usually held in Albuquerque, is one of the state's largest annual opens and a path into the state championship field.
• Santa Fe Chess runs multiple casual sessions a week (CHOMP Food Hall on Sundays, Violet Crown on Mondays), making it easy to find a game without waiting for a tournament weekend.