Chess Tournaments in Vermont

Vermont Chess is the state's organizing hub for scholastic play, running the annual John Balch Memorial Vermont State Scholastic Chess Championships, named for John Balch, who taught chess to hundreds of Vermont youth before his death in 2004. For adult and open tournament play, the Chittenden County Chess Club meets every Saturday at the South Burlington Public Library, offering a rated Swiss game alongside casual blitz, and is one of the state's few standing USCF-affiliated clubs. Burlington also hosts the McGrath Memorial Vermont State Championship at the University of Vermont, which awards the state title to the top Vermont resident in the field, plus other UVM-based weekend opens. Upper Valley Chess extends organized play east toward the New Hampshire border, rounding out a scene that runs on a handful of dedicated organizers rather than a large club network.

• The Chittenden County Chess Club runs a weekly Saturday session at the South Burlington Public Library — casual blitz at 10:30, then a rated Swiss game at 11:00, open to all ages and strengths.
• The McGrath Memorial Vermont State Championship is held at the University of Vermont in Burlington, with the state title going to the top-finishing Vermont resident.
• Vermont Chess (vermontchess.org) runs the state's scholastic calendar, including the John Balch Memorial Vermont State Scholastic Chess Championships each spring.