This is the L.A. Chess Ladder page of useful chess websites.

Here you will find some great places to play, chess organizations you should consider joining, and other helpful chess websites. If you know other useful chess websites, let me know and I’ll add them to this list. Click here to return to the LA Chess Ladder home page.

——————————————————————————————-

Places to play chess

Santa Monica Chess Park: The Santa Monica Chess Park is a really fun place to play chess. There are lots of friendly people and many chess tables. Check it out! It is right next to the Santa Monica Pier.

Los Angeles Chess Websites

Severed Head Chess: Chess tournaments in Los Angeles. Sometimes partnering with the LA Chess Ladder. Contact ladder player, Riccarlo Porter, for details at riccarloporter1@yahoo.com.

Los Angeles Chess Fortress: Run by ladder player Bryan Rivera. Events in Los Angeles, especially near downtown!

Chess Organizations

SCCF: The Southern California Chess Federation has a useful listing of chess clubs and groups. It’s a great way to find places to meet new players. The SCCF also has information about Southern California tournaments, scholastic chess, and links to other useful chess resources. Check it out!

USCF: The United States Chess Federation is an important organization for people who love chess. USCF represents the United States in the World Chess Federation (FIDE). By joining the USCF, you can compete in officially sanctioned tournaments and receive an official chess rating such as B player, A player, & Master. The website also has a great on-line store from which you can buy chess equipment, books, software, DVDs, and more. Check out the USCF website and consider joining.

FIDE: The World Chess Federation is the highest chess governing body. It is also known as the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE). The World Chess Federation awards the highest chess titles of International Master (IM), and Grandmaster (GM). In addition, the World Chess Federation rankings determine who the #1 ranked player in the world is. Visit their website to find current world rankings and read up on recent international competitions.

——————————————————————————————-

Chess Equipment and Software

Buy a Chess Clock: This is a link to buy a great chess clock on Amazon. It’s the one I like to use because it’s sturdy and easy to operate.

Purchase a Chess Set: This is a link to buy a tournament style chess set from the USCF online store. It’s not expensive. It’s the one I like to use. It’s convenient, you can role it up, and it is very durable.

Chess For Blitz: Makers of premium weighted chess sets designed for blitz. Reach out to ladder player, Alex Frish, for details.

Purchase Chess Software: Fritz is a powerful chess engine that you can use on your computer. Chess engines are fantastic learning tools for improving one’s chess skills. Fritz provides a computer opponent with an adjustable playing skill, the ability to analyze your games in great depth, opening and tactical exercises, and much more. I highly recommend Fritz for anyone who loves chess and really wants to improve his/her game.

——————————————————————————————-

Internet Chess

Chess.com: Chess.com is a great site for playing chess on-line. You can practice new openings, tactics, and strategy against players from all over the world. It’s a great way to improve your game! Chess.com features a great interface that makes it very easy to use. Personally, I like to practice on chess.com. I feel that it has helped my game considerably. The site also has other features like chess videos, a tactics trainer, and an opening database. Check it out!

Chess Opening Database: One of the best ways to learn and study openings is with an opening database. Chessgames.com has one of the best opening databases around. I’ve studied there opening database for years and I definitely recommend taking a look. It’s free to look around a bit, but there is a fee to view the entire database.

——————————————————————————————-