Local Chess Guide

Chess Tournaments in Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is the center of Georgia chess, with the state's deepest mix of club play, private coaching, scholastic activity, and serious weekend tournament traffic spread across the metro.

4 clubs listed4 coaches listed13 upcoming events
Chess in Atlanta, GA

A lot of Georgia chess runs through Atlanta because the metro has the ingredients that make a scene durable: visible clubs, strong teachers, ambitious juniors, adult regulars, and enough recurring events to keep players in over-the-board form. Atlanta also matters because it is not a single-neighborhood scene. Intown clubs, north-metro scholastic families, and suburban organizers all feed the same competitive market, which is why the city stays relevant for beginners, ambitious juniors, and titled players at the same time.

Local context
Atlanta is still the easiest Georgia city for combining clubs, coaching, and tournament travel in one metro search.
North-metro suburbs such as Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, and Johns Creek are part of the same practical Atlanta chess ecosystem.
Adults usually benefit from more continuity here because organizers and players already expect regular rated play.
If one Atlanta neighborhood looks quiet, widen the search to nearby metro cities before assuming the market is thin.
Notable names tied to Atlanta and metro Georgia chess
Ben Finegold

Ben Finegold

Grandmaster and the most recognizable name tied to Atlanta's modern club and coaching scene.

Boris Kogan

Boris Kogan

Influential grandmaster and trainer whose coaching legacy is part of the city's serious chess culture.

Scene Snapshot

What chess looks like in Atlanta, GA

Clubs, tournament rooms, and the wider chess culture around Atlanta, GA.

Sources

Background reading for Atlanta, GA

Articles and background sources tied to the local chess scene.

Start Here

Broader chess coverage for Atlanta, GA.

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This map is centered on Atlanta, GA. Pins will appear here automatically once published clubs, coaches, tournaments, or events with location data exist for this area.

Upcoming Tournaments

Upcoming Tournaments

Upcoming rated and unrated competition in Atlanta, GA first, followed by close-in nearby events worth the drive.

See More Events in Atlanta
12 results
2P
Tournament
This Saturday at 2:00 PM

2026 Phillip O’Neal Taylor Georgia State

Championship & Scholastic

April 10 – 12, 2026

New 2-Day Scholastic Tournament&160;&160;

Register at ChessRegister:  events

$10,000...

AT
Tournament
May 9th, 2026 at 1:30 PM

WHAT:

5 Rounds, USCF-rated, G/25; d5 (Each round can last up to 1 hour).

Every round your child's "pairing" (The specific board they will play on, their opponent's name, and which color pieces they will use for the...

2C
Tournament
Jun 26th, 2026 at 2:00 PM

$12,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund

Dates:

June 26-28, 2026

Location:

Emory University – Emory Student Center 605 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA.

Free Parking at Emory is at the Peavine Parking Lot, 29 Eagle Row, Atlanta,...

2T
Tournament
Oct 16th, 2026 at 11:00 PM

2026 Thad Rogers Memorial Georgia Class Championships&160;

Grand Prix –  points 

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody

Friday, October 16, 2025 - Sunday, October 18, 2025

A Georgia State Championship Eve...

2T
Tournament
Oct 18th, 2026 at 3:00 PM

2026 Thad Rogers Memorial Georgia Class Scholastic Tournament&160;

Date: Sunday October 18, 2026 at 11:00AM

Location: Location DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody, 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, G...

2G
Tournament
Nov 22nd, 2026 at 6:00 PM

2026 Georgia Open & Amateur

Scholastic Tournament

State Championship Event

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody

Sunday, November 22, 2026

Event Overview

2026 Georgia Open & Amateur Scholastic Tourn...

CS
Tournament
Apr 19th, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Chess2Children closed tournament, various sections, must be C2C member. Round 1 9:15 AM, Round 2 10:30 AM, Round 3 11:45 AM and Round 4 1:30 PM. Advanced, Intermediate and Beginner sections, sections may be combined....

CN
Tournament
This Monday at 11:30 PM

Location: Varners Restaurant & Tavern. 725 Concord Rd SE, Smyrna GA 30082

Date: Mondays

Time: Starts around 7:30PM to 8:00PM

Style: Swiss System Four-rounds

Time-Control: G/10 + 0

Win = 1 point, Draw = .5, Loss =...

CN
Tournament
Apr 13th, 2026 at 11:30 PM

Location: Varners Restaurant & Tavern. 725 Concord Rd SE, Smyrna GA 30082

Date: Mondays

Time: Starts around 7:30PM to 8:00PM

Style: Swiss System Four-rounds

Time-Control: G/10 + 0

Win = 1 point, Draw = .5, Loss =...

CN
Tournament
Apr 20th, 2026 at 11:30 PM

Location: Varners Restaurant & Tavern. 725 Concord Rd SE, Smyrna GA 30082

Date: Mondays

Time: Starts around 7:30PM to 8:00PM

Style: Swiss System Four-rounds

Time-Control: G/10 + 0

Win = 1 point, Draw = .5, Loss =...

CN
Tournament
Apr 27th, 2026 at 11:30 PM

Location: Varners Restaurant & Tavern. 725 Concord Rd SE, Smyrna GA 30082

Date: Mondays

Time: Starts around 7:30PM to 8:00PM

Style: Swiss System Four-rounds

Time-Control: G/10 + 0

Win = 1 point, Draw = .5, Loss =...

CN
Tournament
May 4th, 2026 at 11:30 PM

Location: Varners Restaurant & Tavern. 725 Concord Rd SE, Smyrna GA 30082

Date: Mondays

Time: Starts around 7:30PM to 8:00PM

Style: Swiss System Four-rounds

Time-Control: G/10 + 0

Win = 1 point, Draw = .5, Loss =...

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Upcoming club nights, camps, workshops, and community events in Atlanta, GA and nearby areas.

See More Events in Atlanta
1 result
M2
Event
May 2nd, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Join us for a relaxed, friendly chess meetup where players of all skill levels can play games, solve puzzles, and connect with other local chess enthusiasts. Whether you're brand new or a seasoned competitor, there’s...

Chess Clubs Nearby

Chess Clubs Nearby

Start with clubs in Atlanta, GA, then use the nearby options that are an easy drive away.

See More Clubs in Atlanta
4 results
WC

Atlanta based chess organization, running tournaments/teaching at schools

C

https://www.chess2children.com/ Coming soon!

RC

Roswell Chess Club is a welcoming community for chess players of all ages and skill levels in and around Roswell, Georgia. We meet regularly to play, learn, and enjoy the game together — from casual games to structure...

MC

At Mohar Chess, we believe chess is more than just a game. It's a powerful tool for developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and building confidence in students of all ages. Experience individualized che...

Chess Coaches Nearby

Chess Coaches Nearby

Browse coaches in Atlanta, GA first, then compare a few strong nearby options from the surrounding area.

See More Coaches in Atlanta
4 results
AM
Coach
Offers Online

Over the years, Coach Adnan has led numerous school teams and individual students to victory in National and State chess competitions, cementing his reputation as one of the most successful coaches in the region. He h...

DM
Coach
Offers Online

Love to coach kids chess!

HJ
Coach
Offers Online

Chess Lesson Coach: All levels

MS
Coach
Offers Online

Experienced Coach for beginner and Intermediate students.

More Links

A few more useful paths from the same area.