Embedded Files
2025 Finale Event
2025 Finale Event
LA Chess Social – 2025 Finale Event
December 26th | 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Live at the Visionarium
1020 Mission St. South Pasadena 91030
FREE | All Ages | Free & Convenient Parking
It’s that magical, slightly unhinged time of year again…the day after Christmas, when the wrapping paper is gone, the batteries are dead, and you suddenly realize you need to leave the house. Perfect timing, because LA Chess Social is closing out 2025 with our legendary Finale Event, and this one is not to be missed!
For the 9th year in a row, we’re throwing our end-of-year celebration, and it’s consistently one of the most fun, high-energy, and memorable nights we do all year. If you’ve been to one before, you already know. If you haven’t… this is the one to fix that!
Expect oodles of chess players from all over Los Angeles (and beyond), casual games, intense games, and plenty of chances to make new friends or reconnect with familiar faces from the community! As always, skill level doesn’t matter, whether you’re a total beginner, a casual player, or someone who brings their own clock “just in case,” you’re welcome here!
And because this is LA Chess Social, it’s not just chess:
-6+ unique live music acts
-“The Obscure Gift Exchange”
-Live Visual Arts
-a Caricature Artist
All of this takes place at the fabulous Visionarium, an incredible venue that’s perfect for our biggest send-off of the year!
This event is:
• Free
• Open to everyone
• All ages
• Free & easy parking
Bring your friends. Bring your family. Bring the relatives you like. Or escape the ones you need a break from…..we won’t tell. Either way, it’s the perfect post-holiday reset before the year wraps up.
As the largest and longest-running social chess club in California, LA Chess Social has spent nearly a decade building something special — and this night is our annual victory lap. Come celebrate the end of 2025 with us, help us close out another amazing year, and be part of a tradition that just keeps getting better.
“The Obscure Gift Exchange” (Optional)
Have you ever received a ridiculous gift that you simply cannot use? Have you ever received a Christmas gift that you plan to immediately donate? Have you ever been given something that you already have one or more of? Introducing “the Obscure Gift Exchange!” If you like, bring an odd gift that you don’t want, completely wrapped to the degree it cannot be identified. We will place these “under the tree”, until 10pm. At 10pm, those that contributed a gift to the pile may select a gift from someone else! After unwrapping your new object, we can all laugh and even exchange the gifts again if desired! We think that this would be a fun/quirky way to meet new people and find gifts new homes!
One night. One venue. One last chess party of the year.
You’ll kick yourself if you miss it!
Monthly Meetups
Monthly Meetups
We are best known for our weekly chess events around LA. To keep each event unique and interesting, we move our event locations around each week. When planing the weekly events, the LACS team takes great care to make each event a special experience; varying in hosting establishment, live music, raffle prizes, tournament styles, and vending.
To receive the address and other details for each event, subscribe to our google calendar and weekly newsletter on the home page.
Tournaments
Tournaments
We have three styles of tournaments, which vary in frequency, attendance, format, and prizes.
Monthly Club Tournaments
Our monthly, in-house tournaments, are usually held once a month at our in-person meetings. These can be free or cost a small amount to participate. To participate, arrive early to the Chess Social to register in person with the tournament coordinator(s), or register online by clicking the link that is posted on the news feed. Results are compiled to form Chess Social Rankings, which are used primarily for other tournament styles.
Championships
These biyearly tournaments are our biggest events of the year! We typically host a Spring and Summer Championship, which are special events and not normal Chess Social meetings. Championships have two sections; Expert and Casual. Each section has separate prize pools and entrance fees. As these are held at the same time, you may only participate in one. In the past, we have had other fun activities planned while members arrive, such as Simultaneous game challenges with a Grandmaster. Special attention is paid to the live music acts during these events so not to distract from the games.
Online Tournaments
Online tournaments are held occasionally, or if Chess Social meetings have been cancelled for some uncontrollable reason. These are typically, but not limited to, being held on Tuesday evenings. Registration for Online Tournaments are more casual and do not require registration in advance. Online Tournaments are free, but often still have cash prize pools paid for by the LACS.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse