Chess Clubs in Griswold, Connecticut. The list of addresses.
Chess Clubs in Griswold, CT and Surrounding Areas
Chess players in Griswold and southeastern Connecticut have access to several clubs that welcome players of all skill levels. These organizations provide opportunities for casual play, competitive matches, and chess education in the Quiet Corner region.
1. Griswold Chess Club
Location: Slater Library – 26 Main Street, Jewett City, CT 06351
Description: The Griswold Chess Club meets weekly at the historic Slater Library, offering a welcoming environment for players of all ages. The club focuses on skill development through casual games and strategy discussions, with experienced members available to mentor beginners. Regular activities include puzzle-solving sessions and occasional rapid chess tournaments.
2. Norwich Chess Academy
Location: Otis Library – 261 Main Street, Norwich, CT 06360
Description: Located 15 minutes from Griswold, this established club offers structured instruction and competitive play. The Norwich Chess Academy hosts quarterly USCF-rated tournaments and maintains an extensive chess library. The club attracts players from across New London County.
3. Plainfield Chess Society
Location: Plainfield Public Library – 8 Community Avenue, Plainfield, CT 06374
Description: Approximately 20 minutes from Griswold, this active club meets bi-weekly for both casual and competitive play. The Plainfield Chess Society organizes simultaneous exhibitions with visiting masters and runs an annual championship tournament.
4. Voluntown Chess Collective
Location: Voluntown Public Library – 107 Main Street, Voluntown, CT 06384
Description: About 15 minutes from Griswold, this small-town club offers a relaxed atmosphere for chess enthusiasts. The Voluntown Chess Collective meets weekly and specializes in making chess accessible to rural communities through family-friendly programming.
5. Lisbon Chess Group
Location: Lisbon Public Library – 12 School Street, Lisbon, CT 06351
Description: Located 10 minutes from Griswold, this community-focused club meets weekly for casual play. The Lisbon Chess Group emphasizes chess education for seniors and youth, with dedicated beginner sessions held monthly.
6. Moosup Chess Club
Location: Moosup Public Library – 27 Library Lane, Moosup, CT 06354
Description: Just minutes from central Griswold, this neighborhood club offers informal chess gatherings. The Moosup Chess Club maintains a lending collection of chess books and provides tournament-quality sets for members’ use.
Regional Tournament Opportunities:
The Eastern Connecticut Chess League hosts biannual tournaments rotating between Griswold, Norwich, and Plainfield locations. These events feature Open, U1600, and Scholastic divisions with trophies for youth categories.
Club Features:
USCF-rated tournament options
Scholastic development programs
Senior chess initiatives
Chess libraries and digital resources
Mentoring partnerships
Rural outreach programs
Most clubs provide equipment, though tournament players should bring their own clocks. The Griswold area offers particularly strong opportunities for family chess participation through its network of small-town clubs. Players should contact venues directly for current schedules as meeting times may vary seasonally.
