Chess Clubs in Ansonia, Connecticut. The list of addresses.
Chess Clubs in Ansonia, CT and Surrounding Areas
For chess enthusiasts in Ansonia and the Lower Naugatuck Valley, several clubs and playing opportunities exist for players of all skill levels. Here’s a guide to local chess resources:
Ansonia Chess Club
Location: Ansonia Public Library – 53 South Cliff Street, Ansonia, CT 06401
Meeting Time: 1st and 3rd Saturdays monthly, 1:00-4:00 PM
Description: The newly revitalized Ansonia Chess Club meets twice monthly at the public library. This welcoming group focuses on casual play and chess education, with experienced players available to help beginners learn fundamentals. The club provides chess sets and clocks for all participants.
Derby Chess Knights
Location: Derby Public Library – 313 Elizabeth Street, Derby, CT 06418
Meeting Time: Wednesdays 6:00-8:30 PM
Description: Just minutes from Ansonia, the Derby Chess Knights offer competitive and casual play in a historic library setting. The club hosts monthly rated tournaments and maintains an active ladder system for tracking player progress. Beginners receive free introductory lessons during the first Wednesday of each month.
Valley YMCA Chess Program
Location: Valley YMCA – 12 State Street, Ansonia, CT 06401
Meeting Time: Fridays 4:00-6:00 PM (youth), 7:00-9:00 PM (adults)
Description: The Valley YMCA runs separate chess sessions for youth and adult players. The youth program focuses on scholastic chess development, while the adult group features casual and competitive play. Both groups participate in regional tournaments throughout the year.
Seymour Chess Society
Location: Seymour Community Center – 20 Pine Street, Seymour, CT 06483
Meeting Time: Thursdays 6:30-9:00 PM
Description: This active club attracts players from throughout the Valley region. The Society emphasizes both recreational play and serious study, with weekly game analysis sessions and occasional guest lectures from master-level players.
Shelton Chess Club
Location: Plumb Memorial Library – 65 Wooster Street, Shelton, CT 06484
Meeting Time: Sundays 2:00-5:00 PM
Description: A short drive from Ansonia, the Shelton Chess Club offers one of the most competitive environments in the area. The club maintains official US Chess Federation ratings for members and hosts quarterly rated tournaments. Casual players are also welcome for recreational games.
Regional Chess Opportunities:
The Naugatuck Valley Chess League organizes inter-club matches between Ansonia-area clubs and teams from Waterbury, Torrington, and Danbury. Local tournaments include:
Valley Fall Open (October) in Derby
Winter Scholastic Championship (February) in Shelton
Spring Swiss Tournament (April) in Seymour
The Ansonia School District offers chess instruction as part of its after-school program at all elementary schools. Several local coffee shops, including Crave in Ansonia and The Coffee Pedaler in Derby, host informal chess nights throughout the week.
Most clubs welcome drop-in players with a small suggested donation ($2-$5) to support operations. Players should verify meeting times before visiting as schedules occasionally change. For tournament players, the Connecticut State Chess Association provides information on rated events throughout the state.
