Chess in Florida

Last updated
Chess in Florida
Top PlayerFabiano Caruana (2862 USCF, 2784 FIDE)
ChampionBach Ngo
USCF AffiliateFlorida Chess Association
Active Players3874

As of August 2025, Florida has 3874 active players registered with the United States Chess Federation. [1] The current USCF Florida state affiliate is the Florida Chess Association. [2] [3]

Contents

History

The Florida Chess Association was established in 1939. [3]

Panhandle

In 2011, the Robert L. Froemke Memorial tournament was established as an annual tournament. [4] [5] The 2011 tournament was the first chess tournament in Tallahassee in over 11 years. The last time the tournament was held was in 2014. [6]

On December 1, 2018, the Tallahassee School of Math and Science hosted the first chess tournament in Tallahassee since 2014. [6]

In March 2025, the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee hosted the Tallahassee Chess Fest. [7] The event began with a Friday evening screening of Searching for Bobby Fischer. On Saturday, attendees could visit interactive chess sessions, a simultaneous exhibition, and a grandmaster showdown—a match between grandmasters Julio Becerra and Nikola Mitkov. [8] [7] Audience members to the grandmaster showdown were given headphones, which they could use to listen to commentary or classical music. On Sunday, the event hosted tournaments in quick chess and blitz. The Chest Fest ended with a planetarium show.

Florida A&M University has a competitive chess team that has grown exponentially in recent years. [9] In April 2025, the FAMU Chess Club sent 10 student to the HBCU Chess Tournament at Morehouse College. The Chess Club Advisor is Dr. Daaim Shabazz, who was named 2025 Chess Educator of the Year by the University of Texas-Dallas Chess Program. [10] Dr. Shabazz is the creator of an online chess magazine called The Chess Drum, which launched in 2001. [6] [11]

Jacksonville

In 1990, Jacksonville hosted the 91st U.S. Open Chess Championship.

In 1999, ScholasticChess.org hosted the first annual Jacksonville City Scholastic Championship. [12] The tournament is four rounds long. [13]

North central Florida

The Gator Chess Club at the University of Florida meets weekly. [14]

On October 24, 2024, IM Levy Rozman (AKA GothamChess) visited UF. [15] Rozman returned the following year on September 28, 2024. [16] At the school, Rozman gave a one-hour lecture, a Q&A session, and played five blitz games against random attendees.

Central Florida

Orlando hosted the U.S. Open Chess Championship in 2011, 2014, and 2019. Additionally, Kissimmee was the site of the 98th U.S. Open in 1997.

The Orlando Chess Open is a tournament held annually in August. [17] [18]

Suncoast

In the early 1930s, the St. Pete Chess Club was established at a cottage in St. Petersburg. [19] [20] [21] The St. Pete Chess Club is the oldest chess club in the United States that hasn’t relocated. Some grandmasters who've played at the club include Sammy Reshevsky, Bobby Fischer, and Larry Christiansen.

Tampa hosted the 53rd U.S. Open Chess Championship in 1952.

In September 2014, the Tampa Bay Times published an article about the Knights of Knowledge Chess Club. [22] The club would meet in Bay Vista Park in St. Petersburg.

South Florida

Hollywood was the site of the 86th annual US Open in 1985. Fort Lauderdale hosted the 105th US Open in 2004.

In 2013, Franklin Academy Boynton Beach (FABB) opened as the largest charter school in Palm Beach County. [23] One of the mandatory classes at the school is chess. [24] The establishment of the campus was funded with help from tennis player Andre Agassi. During a chess class, Agassi asked students to explain the role of different chess pieces, including a pawn. [23] Starting in the 2014-15 school year, FABB would host an annual grand prix series of tournaments. [25] In April 2015, the FABB chess team sent four chess players to the 2015 Junior High School Nationals. [26] That same month, the school's chess coach Steve Abrahams wrote an article in the Chess Life magazine encouraging other schools to begin chess clubs of their own. [27]

In September 2015, NM Jeff Haskel opened the Boca Chess Center. [28]

Florida Atlantic University has a chess club that meets weekly. [29] In March 2016, the University Press posted a Weekly Spotlight article about the club. As of the publishing of the article, the Boca Raton Chess Club would help host a weekly swiss tournament on the FAU campus.

In 2022, the FTX Crypto Cup esports chess tournament was hosted at the Eden Roc hotel in Miami Beach. [30] [31] [32] This was a round-robin tournament where players would face a new opponent each day. Each match consisted of 4 rapid games, with blitz tiebreakers. Magnus Carlsen won first place with 16/21 points.

On Chess Day 2022, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority launched opened Fern Street Chess Park. [33] [34] One club that regularly plays in the park is West Palm Street Chess.

In July 2024, Shama Yisrael became the first African-American woman to achieve the USCF National Master title. [35] Yisrael achieved the title at the Pinecrest Independence Open, surpassing a USCF rating of 2200 after defeating Frank Castillo.

Florida Keys

As of September 2009, the Caribbean Club in Key Largo had a free pool and chess night every Monday. [36]

The Key West Library Chess Club meets every Saturday. [37]

Competitors

As of August 2025, the following people are the top rated active USCF players from Florida: [38]

PositionNameUSCF RatingUSCF Titles
1 Fabiano Caruana 2862Original Life Master, National Master, Life Senior Master (norms-based)
2 Carissa Shiwen Yip 2540Original Life Master, National Master, Life Senior Master (norms-based)
3Henry Soto Hernandez2512National Master, Candidate Master (norms-based)
4 Julio J Becerra 2506Original Life Master, National Master, Life Senior Master (norms-based)
5Jorge Leon Oquendo2501National Master, Life Master (norms-based)
6John Gabriel Ludwig2469Original Life Master, National Master, Life Master (norms-based)
7 Renier González 2464Original Life Master, National Master, Life Senior Master (norms-based)
8Nikola Mitkov2463Original Life Master, National Master, Life Senior Master (norms-based)
9Yans Richard Girones Barrios2463National Master, Life Master (norms-based)
10Bach Ngo2448Original Life Master, National Master, Life Master (norms-based)

Other top Idaho chess players who aren't currently active USCF members include IM Hao Yin (2637 Rating), GM Lars Hansen (2627 Rating), and IM Javid Maharramzade (2619 Rating). [39]

List of state champions (1947 - 2024)

YearChampionLocationNotes
1947Dr. Gustave L. Drexler
1948Donald F. Dyal
1949Dr. Stephen J. Shaw
1950Clarence KalenianOrlando
1951Major John B. Holt
1952Nestor B. Hernandez
1953Nestor B. Hernandez (2)
1954Nestor B. Hernandez (3)
1955August C. OttenMiami
1956Aristides AgueroDaytona Beach
1957Dr. Gustave. L. Drexel (2)Homestead
1958John L. Foster
1959Boris Siff
1960Robert Ludlow, Carl Dover, Charles WischMiamiTie [40]
1961Nick LanniOrlando (?)
1962Eugene SidowskiMiami Beach
1963Frank B. RoseCocoa Beach
1964Juan GonzalezMiami Beach
1965David Brummer, Robert Ludlow (2), Charles MusgroveSt. PetersburgTie [40]
1966Anthony SantasiereCocoa Beach
1967Dr. Jose A. Fernandez-LeonPompano Beach
1968Eduardo J. Celorio
1969Eduardo J. Celorio (2), Dave TruesdelPompano BeachTie [40]
1970John P. Abraham
1971Eduardo Celorio (3)Ft. Lauderdale
1972Eduardo Celorio (4)Miami Beach
1973Eduardo Celorio (5)Ormond Beach
1974Luis BuquetsPalm Beach
1975Luis AlfonsoMiami
1976Arnold DenkerOrlando
1977Nick PalevadaMiami
1978Arnold Denker (2), Nick Paleveda (2), David DukesOrlandoTie [40]
1979Arnold Denker (3)St. Petersburg
1980Mike GatlinSt. Petersburg
1981Mike PetersenJacksonville
1982Gary SandersSt. Petersburg
1983Mike Petersen (2)Jacksonville
1984Eduardo Celorio (6)Ft. Lauderdale
1985Anatoly DozoretsWinter Park
1986Miles ArdamanSt. Petersburg
1987*Miles Ardaman (2)Daytona Beach
1988Bill CornwallJacksonville
1989Gary Sanders (2), Anatoly Dozorets (2)DaniaTie [40]
1990Gary Sanders (3)Orlando
1991Michail BraudePlant City
1992Larry KaufmanPompano Beach
1993Nick Paleveda (3)Jacksonville
1994Larry Kaufman (2)Ft. Lauderdale
1995Gabriel SchwartzmanOrlando
1996Fabio LaRotaSt. Petersburg
1997*Rashid ZiatdinovOrlando
1998Eduardo Celorio (7)Jacksonville
1999Franklin VilasecoMiami
2000Virginijus GrabliauskasOrlando
2001Daniel FernandezSt. Petersburg
2002* Renier Gonzalez Miami
2003 Renier Gonzalez (2)Melbourne
2004 Renier Gonzalez (3)Boca Raton
2005Wilmer ChaviraOrlando
2006 Julio Becerra St. Petersburg
2007 Julio Becerra (2)Daytona Beach
2008 Julio Becerra (3)St. Petersburg
2009 Julio Becerra (4)Miami
2010 Julio Becerra (5)Orlando
2011Jeff HaskelNaples
2012Lars Bo HansenDaytona Beach
2013Lars Bo Hansen (2)Daytona Beach
2014 Julio Becerra (6)Palm Beach Gardens
2015 Julio Becerra (7)Orlando
2016 Julio Becerra (8)Tampa
2017Jorge Leon OquendoJacksonsville
2018Jorge Leon Oquendo (2)Jacksonville
2019 Mykola Bortnyk Palm Beach Gardens
2020NoneCancelled because of COVID-19 [40]
2021 Julio Becerra (9)St. Petersburg
2022Bach NgoPalm Beach Gardens
2023Bach Ngo (2)Jacksonville
2024Bach Ngo (3)Palm Beach Gardens

References

  1. "US Chess MSA - Member Details (12743305: FABIANO CARUANA)". www.uschess.org. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  2. "Club Search and Affiliate Directory". The United States Chess Federation. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  3. 1 2 "Florida Chess Association". Florida Chess Association. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  4. Steven (2011-06-01). "Robert L. Froemke Memorial Chess Tournament Results". Tallahassee Chess Blog. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  5. Cullifer, Steven (2014-05-31). "2014 Froemke Memorial (Tallahassee)". The Chess Drum. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  6. 1 2 3 "School of Math hosts inaugural Chess Tournament". Tallahassee Democrat. 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  7. 1 2 "Tallahassee Chess Fest celebrates strategy, skill, community". Tallahassee Democrat. 2025-03-26. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  8. "Something Good: Grandmasters showdown during Chess Fest in Tallahassee". WCTV. 2025-04-01. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  9. Forde, Jahmallia (2025-04-08). "FAMU Chess Club Heads to Atlanta for Chess Competition at Morehouse". news.famu.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  10. James-Terry, Rachel (2025-03-25). "FAMU's Daaim Shabazz Named Chess Educator of the Year by UT Dallas". news.famu.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  11. Bhat, Avathanshu (2021-08-15). "The Chess Drum Keeps the Beat! - Daaim Shabazz - ChessBase India". www.chessbase.in. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  12. "US Chess MSA - Affiliate Details (SCHOLASTICCHESS.ORG)". www.uschess.org. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  13. BAKER, SUSAN. "Julington Creek Elementary has chess champion in the house". St. Augustine Record. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  14. "Gator Chess Club - GatorConnect - University of Florida". orgs.studentinvolvement.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  15. Howard, Megan (2023-11-12). "Gator Chess Club hosts Gotham Chess lecture". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  16. Rodgers (JackRodgers), Jack (2024-10-04). "GothamChess Visits University Of Florida For Lecture & Blitz Against Old Foe". Chess.com. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  17. "Orlando Chess Open". www.orlandochessopen.org. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  18. Rassel, Joe (2024-08-07). "Orange County things to do, starting Aug. 9". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  19. Styza, Aaron (2024-05-07). "The oldest chess club in America is in downtown St. Pete". I Love the Burg. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  20. "St. Petersburg Chess Club 540 4th Avenue North: About Us" . Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  21. Wilson, Caitlin (2023-02-24). "St. Pete Chess Club offers open play nights". baynews9.com. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  22. Shadd, Dirk (2014-09-15). "Chess players match wits outdoors in St. Petersburg". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  23. 1 2 Schultz, Jason. "Tennis legend Andre Agassi tours new suburban Boynton Beach charter school he helped build". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  24. Isger, Sonja. "Palm Beach County charter schools open Monday, hosting 10% of students". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  25. "Franklin Academy Grand Prix 2014-2015". www.bocachess.com. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  26. Seltzer, Alexandra. "These students are in 90th percentile, nationally". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  27. Abrahams, Steve (April 2015). "Start Something Special" (PDF). Chess Life. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-08-10. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  28. Miller, Emily (2015-09-25). "Chess champ, 8, from Boynton, to play at opening of Boca Chess Center". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  29. Ferrendi, Brittany. "Weekly Spotlight: FAU Chess Club". UNIVERSITY PRESS. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  30. Watson, Leon. "Magnus Carlsen clinches FTX Crypto Cup in Miami". chess24.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  31. Doggers (PeterDoggers), Peter (2022-08-16). "FTX Crypto Cup: Aronian, Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa, Duda Start With Wins". Chess.com. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  32. "Magnus Carlsen clinches FTX Crypto Cup – International Chess Federation". FIDE. 2022-08-02. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  33. Lovett, Greg (2022-10-09). "Palm Beach County's first chess park opens on National Chess Day". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  34. Rozier, Angela (2023-02-22). "West Palm Beach player makes the right move at new downtown chess park". WPBF. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  35. Adeyinka, Adeola. "First Female African-American National Master- Shama Yisrael".
  36. Demarche, Edmund (2009-09-29). "Key party". New York Post. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  37. Library, Monroe County Public (2025-05-20). "Key West Library Chess Club". Monroe County. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  38. "Top Rated Players in FL". The United States Chess Federation. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  39. "Top Rated Players in ID (includes non-active players)". www.uschess.org. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Florida Chess Association, Inc. - FCA Historical Lists". www.floridachess.org. Retrieved 2025-08-10.