Chess Clubs in Plainfield, Connecticut. The list of addresses.
Chess Clubs in Plainfield, CT and Surrounding Areas
Chess enthusiasts in Plainfield and northeastern Connecticut have several options for organized play, ranging from casual meetups to competitive tournaments. These clubs welcome players of all ages and skill levels while fostering both recreational enjoyment and serious skill development.
1. Plainfield Chess Club
Location: Plainfield Public Library – 8 Community Avenue, Plainfield, CT 06374
Description: The Plainfield Chess Club meets weekly at the town library, offering structured play sessions suitable for beginners through experienced players. The club emphasizes skill-building through game analysis and maintains a lending library of chess books and materials. Special youth sessions are held monthly.
2. Killingly Chess Society
Location: Killingly Public Library – 25 Westcott Road, Killingly, CT 06241
Description: Located 15 minutes from Plainfield, this active club hosts rated tournaments quarterly while maintaining a welcoming environment for casual players. The Killingly Chess Society features dedicated mentoring sessions and maintains relationships with scholastic chess programs in local schools.
3. Putnam Chess Club
Location: Putnam Public Library – 225 Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT 06260
Description: Approximately 20 minutes from Plainfield, this club offers a balanced program of casual play and competitive events. The Putnam Chess Club organizes simultaneous exhibitions with visiting masters and runs an annual championship tournament. Their meetings include structured game analysis sessions.
4. Norwich Chess Academy
Location: Otis Library – 261 Main Street, Norwich, CT 06360
Description: About 25 minutes from Plainfield, the Norwich Chess Academy provides professional instruction alongside regular play opportunities. The club features electronic chess boards for game demonstrations and hosts Connecticut Chess Association-sanctioned tournaments several times per year.
5. Willimantic Chess Collective
Location: Windham Town Hall – 979 Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226
Description: Located 20 minutes from Plainfield, this diverse club meets in a dedicated game room with tournament-quality equipment. The Willimantic Chess Collective emphasizes community building through chess, offering bilingual instruction and outreach programs to local schools and senior centers.
6. Danielson Chess Group
Location: The Rectory School – 528 Pomfret Street, Pomfret, CT 06258
Description: Just 10 minutes from Plainfield, this school-affiliated club opens its doors to community players on weekends. The Danielson Chess Group focuses on youth development but welcomes adult players for intergenerational matches and mentoring opportunities.
Regional Tournament Opportunities:
Several clubs in the area collaborate to host the Northeastern Connecticut Chess Championship annually, rotating between Plainfield, Killingly, and Putnam locations. These events typically feature multiple skill divisions with cash prizes in open sections.
Club Features:
USCF-rated tournament options
Scholastic development programs
Senior chess initiatives
Travel teams for inter-club matches
Chess libraries and digital resources
Mentoring partnerships between experienced and new players
Most clubs provide equipment but encourage members to bring chess clocks for timed games. Players should verify meeting schedules as some clubs adjust hours seasonally. The Plainfield area offers particularly strong opportunities for junior players, with several clubs maintaining active youth programs and school partnerships.
