Chess Clubs in Alabama

The Alabama Chess Federation is the state's US Chess affiliate and organizes the main championships, including the long-running Alabama State Chess Championship (its 72nd edition was held in 2025), along with a quick-chess state event and a growing All-Girls State Chess Championship. Weekly club play in North Alabama is anchored by the Huntsville Chess Club, which meets at a local library and has room for around 40 players in a congenial mix of casual and serious games. The region also has an especially active scholastic scene: the Madison City Chess League coaches teams at schools like Madison Elementary and Journey Middle School and helps fill out the state scholastic championship field, which has been hosted at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. In the Birmingham metro, the state's best-known player, Stuart Rachels, grew up in the city, and youth instruction continues through school-based providers like Caesar Chess.

• The Huntsville Chess Club meets weekly at a local library, with room for around 40 players and a friendly mix of casual and serious games.
• Madison and Huntsville have school chess programs whose players compete in the Alabama State Scholastic Chess Championship, which has been hosted at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
• The Alabama Chess Federation has run the state championship for more than 70 years and also organizes quick-chess and All-Girls state events.