First Time Visitors
New Visitors
Please find answers to frequently asked questions below.
Weekly games are on Thursday nights. Doors open at 5:30pm and games start at 6:30pm.
Games may go until midnight.We share our space with the Mathewson Bridge Center.
125 West Plumb Lane
Reno, NV 89509
Brand new to chess?
Check out our Beginners Page for additional information on learning how to play and annotating your games.
What to expect on your first visit to the Reno Chess Club
If you would like play informal, non-rated chess, that is an option. The best time to do this is from when the doors open (5:30pm) until the pairings are made for the tournament game that night. We offer two free visits before politely asking that you sign up as a member of the club.
If you know that you want to join the club you will need:
an active USCF membership - we can help you become a member when you visit.
your USCF membership ID, if you have one.
Reno Chess Club Membership fee - $60
Reno Chess Club tournament entry fee - varies depending on each tournament and its time controls, location, and especially prize fund.
New members are welcome any Thursday, but please note that your first visit might be during an ongoing tournament. This is okay. If you wish to join the current tournament, you will work with the tournament director; scores and fees may be adjusted based on how many rounds have been completed. Please check the calendar for our current tournament dates and when new tournaments are starting.
Reno Chess Club Tournament Basics
Reno Chess Club tournaments are played over several weeks -- one game each Thursday night -- and tournaments have varying lengths (i,e., 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks). Each Thursday you will be paired with an opponent to play your game. Games begin at 6:30pm and may go as late as midnight.
The club provides boards, pieces, clocks, score sheets, and pencils. You only need to bring your best sportsmanship.
Over The Board (OTB) Basics & Etiquette
The following is a summary of common rules and etiquette for players who are new to playing over-the-board (OTB) chess.
Although the following may seem strict, that is not the intent. The Reno Chess Club strives to provide an environment that will mimic USCF-rated tournaments that chess players may experience outside of the club -- the following rules and etiquette are to be upheld to the best of your ability and do not supersede official USCF rules.
Games are played in silence.
If you and your opponent would like to go over your completed game, please use the spare room.
Games must be annotated -- check out our Beginners Page for more information on how to annotate your games.
Touch Move
If you touch one of your pieces, you must move that piece so long as it is a legal move.
When castling, you must touch your king first; if the rook is touched first, castling is not allowed.
If you touch an opponent's piece, you must capture that piece so long as it is a legal move.
If the move is not legal, you take a penalty and appropriate time adjustments will be made.
If you are unsure of how to make the time adjustments, pause the clock and ask the tournament director for help.
If you would like to adjust pieces on the board without it being considered a touch, you can announce "adjust" before touching the pieces.
Do I need to have a United States Chess Federation (USCF) membership or rating?
If you would like to participate in USCF-rated games, you will need to purchase a USCF membership to join the club. Additionally, you will need to purchase a Reno Chess Club membership.
You do not need to have a USCF rating. You will begin as unrated (UNR), accumulate a provisional rating, and once you have completed 25 games, then you will have a rating with USCF that the club will use for pairings.