Top 10 Chess Clubs in New York (with addresses & contacts)

New York’s chess scene is a lively mix of historic private clubs, community centers, scholastic programs and the legendary park hustlers. Below are ten of the best places (spread across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island) where players of every level can find games, classes, tournaments and a real chess community.

I list each club’s name, physical address, and publicly listed contact details so you can call, email, or drop in. Sources for each listing are cited after the entry.

1. Marshall Chess Club

Address: 23 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011 (Greenwich Village).
Contact: Phone (212) 477-3716 · Email td@marshallchessclub.org · Website: marshallchessclub.org.
Why go: Founded in 1915 and still one of the city’s most prestigious over-the-board clubs, Marshall hosts regular tournaments, lectures, adult and junior classes, and is a hub for serious club players and visiting GMs. If you want a traditional, quiet chess-club atmosphere with regular USCF-rated events, this is it.

2. Chess Forum (sometimes listed as Chess & Games / Chess Forum NYC)

Address: 219 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012 (near Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village).

Contact: Phone shown on local listings: (212) 475-2369 (check current hours on site listings) · Website: chessforum.com (local pages).
Why go: A longtime downtown gathering place for casual and serious play, Chess Forum sits steps from Washington Square Park and often hosts students, local tournament play and university club meetups. Good for drop-in play and community events.

3. Chess NYC / Chess NYC Play N’ Go (Village Chess @ SoHo)

Address: Village Chess @ SoHo, 108 Wooster Street, Suite C2, New York, NY 10012 (primary listed location).
Contact: Phone +1 (212) 475-8130 · Email info@chessnyc.com · Website: chessnyc.com.
Why go: Chess NYC (New York City Chess Inc.) runs scholastic programs, after-school classes, Play-N-Go events and community tournaments across Manhattan. Great for families, kids and beginners who want structured instruction and weekend tournaments.

4. Washington Square Park — The Park Chess Scene

Address: Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, New York, NY 10012 (the chess tables are by the park’s south side/arc).
Contact: No central phone—this is an open-air scene. Best to show up; many players post contact info in local groups and forums.
Why go: Not a formal club but arguably one of the world’s most famous chess “clubs” — an open, daily battleground of hustlers, strong amateur players and friendly teaching games. If you want street chess, quick blitz, or to watch masters and celebrities play impromptu games, this is a must-visit. (Note: Washington Square’s chess culture is communal and informal; there’s no single admin contact.)

5. Brooklyn Chess Club / Brooklyn-based community clubs

Address (example location): Seaview Building, 1585 E. 98th St., Brooklyn, NY 11236 (check local pages for updated meeting rooms).
Contact: Tel: 718-444-2222 (listed on club site) · Website: brooklynchessclub.com.
Why go: Brooklyn’s chess community has grown a lot in recent years. This club offers weekend sessions, classes and local tournaments — good for borough-level play and scholastic support. (Brooklyn also has many neighborhood chess programs and school partnerships.)

6. Queens Chess Club (Queens, NYC)

Address: Varies by meeting—club info and meeting notices are published online; historic base and contact numbers listed via club pages (Queens listings).
Contact: Public phone listings show (718) 569-8088 for club inquiries; social pages provide updates.
Why go: The Queens Chess Club is one of the borough’s longest-running community clubs, with tournaments, weekly play and a focus on local players and juniors. Check the club’s site or social pages for current meeting addresses and calendar.

7. Harlem Chess Center / Harlem chess programs

Address: (check program pages for exact addresses; operations are typically near 135th Street & 5th Ave or local Harlem community centers depending on program schedules).
Contact: Yelp and center listings show phone (646) 382-9348; website: harlemchesscenter.org (confirm via listing).
Why go: Harlem has a rich chess legacy (think scholastic champions and community enrichment). Harlem Chess Center and affiliated programs run classes, after-school teams and tournaments focused on youth development and community access. Great for parents and kids.

8. Staten Island Chess Club / Staten Island programs

Address (examples): Grasmere — 141 Evergreen Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305; Willowbrook — 1409 Richmond Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314 (program locations vary by class).
Contact: Program pages list local schedules and contact forms; community program pages provide details.
Why go: Staten Island runs active scholastic and adult play programs with weekend tournaments and weekday clubs. If you’re on Staten Island or nearby, these are the primary organized meetup spots.

9. New York Scholastic Chess Club / New York Chess Academy (scholastic focus)

Address: Program addresses vary by school and partner sites; contact via the organization’s website nyschessclub.com
Contact: New York Scholastic Chess Club listings and New York Chess Academy provide email contact forms and local phone numbers on their sites.
Why go: For parents and young players who want progressive instruction, scholastic clubs are crucial. These organizations offer coaches, regular training, and access to local scholastic tournaments. They’re a backbone for the city’s rising junior talent.

10. University Clubs: Columbia & NYU Chess Clubs (campus hubs open to visitors at times)

Columbia Chess Club (sample contact): club pages list email chess@columbia.edu and on-campus meeting locations (Columbia campus, Mudd Hall / student org pages).
NYU Chess Club: active student club with events often held at Chess Forum or campus spaces; check nyuchess.com and NYU Engage for meeting times.

Why go: University clubs are great for casual and competitive play, lectures and meeting strong young players. If you’re a visitor, check event pages or contact the club before showing up — many campus clubs welcome guests for special events or open nights.

Quick tips for visiting NYC chess clubs

1. Call or email before you go. Many clubs (especially scholastic programs and campus clubs) have shifted schedules and room locations. Use the phone or email contacts above to confirm hours and events.
2. Bring a clock for tournaments. Most clubs provide sets, but serious events require clocks. The Marshall and other organized clubs expect players to know tournament etiquette.
3. Park chess is cash and casual. Washington Square Park players run casual and sometimes wagered games; be ready for fast blitz and a noisy, social atmosphere.