Getting Into Over The Board Chess
Playing over the board (OTB) chess is incredibly rewarding. It gives you the opportunity to meet other players who share your passion and compete with them in exciting face-to-face games.
For novices, getting into OTB chess can be overwhelming and intimidating. In this article, we'll try to break down some of those barriers.
Joining Your Chess Federation
If you want to play in serious rated games, you'll need to become a member of your chess federation. This will give you the right to earn a national rating. For most federations, membership will also give you a subscription to the national chess magazine (Chess Life in the USA). We've provided the links to a few national federations below:
- USA: United States Chess Federation (USCF)
- Canada: Chess Federation of Canada (CFC)
- England: English Chess Federation (ECF)
If you live in a different country, you should be able to find your national federation on the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Directory.
Joining a Club
The best way to start playing serious OTB chess is to join your local chess club. This will give you a chance to meet other players of all levels and play in organized games. Most clubs have a friendly and inviting atmosphere, and welcome new players.
The easiest way to find a local club is through the internet. Most federations maintain a listing of active clubs. We've provided the links to a few federations below:
- USA: USCF Club Listing
- Canada: CFC Club Listing
- England: ECF Club Listing
If you live in a different country, find your federation's website in the FIDE Directory, and look for the club listing.
Playing in Tournaments
Once you've had the chance to get some experience at your local club, you're ready to play in some serious tournaments. Most tournaments run over weekends to allow students/professionals who are busy during the week the chance to participate. Some tournaments are small and intimate - with a focus on fun and participation. Others are large and serious - and sometimes offer substantial cash prizes.
If you ask around at your local club, most serious players will have an idea of which upcoming tournaments are worth checking out. Also, most federations maintain a calendar of upcoming events. We've provided the links to a few federations below:
- USA: USCF Tournament Calendar
- Canada: CFC Tournament Calendar
- England: ECF Tournament Calendar
If you live in a different country, find your federation's website in the FIDE Directory, and look for the tournament calendar.