United States

Chess Tournaments in Hawaii

Find chess tournaments in Hawaii and nearby places to play.

Hawaii USCF players: 394

US Chess players in Hawaii

US Chess rating list · October 1, 2026

394

USCF-rated players

606

Median rating

2249

Top rating

Top rated players in Hawaii

1Takata, Reynolds K2249
2Lau, Robert M2227
3Mc Guire, Robert F2213
4Rubsamen, Cornelius2200
5Anderson, David A2197

See full Hawaii USCF stats

State chess association

Hawaii Chess Federation
Hawaii's state federation supports tournaments, chess education, and programs in schools and community groups.

Chess history

The Hawaii Chess Federation, based in Honolulu, is the state's US Chess affiliate. Oahu has casual meetups at Kahala Mall and South Shore Market. The 2015 Hawaii Chess Festival at Hilton Waikiki Beach featured Hou Yifan, Sam Shankland, and Timur Gareev, alongside school championships and an international open. National master Cornelius Rubsamen, a 13-time Hawaii state champion, has coached chess at Kamehameha Schools since the early 2000s.

Check the Hawaii Chess Federation for Hawaii Open dates and entry details. The state championship weekend includes open, under-1500, and blitz sections.
Look for free casual games with the Kahala Chess Club at Kahala Mall and the Honolulu Chess Club at South Shore Market in Kakaako. Check meeting times before visiting.
Kamehameha Schools' chess program has been coached by national master and 13-time state champion Cornelius Rubsamen.

Cornelius Rubsamen

National master and 13-time Hawaii state chess champion who has coached school chess at Kamehameha Schools since the early 2000s; he is also a lecturer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he plays exhibition games against several opponents at once.