We run 5-week CFC/FIDE-rated tournaments on Monday evenings starting at 7:30 PM until closing. We have three sections of players – Crown, U1800, and U1400. Players may play up a section if their rating is within 100 points. Players must have a valid CFC membership which they can purchase from our STORE. This chess is touch-move and uses a 90-minute + 30-second time control There are typically 40 such evenings annually, equal to 8 rated tournaments. Drop-in & membership PRICING available.

>>Register at Weekly Tourn Reg'n.

We have 15-20 casual players on Monday evenings starting at 6:30 PM until closing. We have a dedicated casual play area, so kibitzing and social talk are welcome. There are no CFC membership or rating requirements. We supply all equipment, including a clock should players want to use one. We also use this area as our skittles room, where players can analyze their completed tournament games. Our casual drop-in fee for non-members is $10/night plus HST. Casual membership options may be found here.

>>See also CLUB/FAQs.

We have both in-person and online classes for chess instruction. Our courses are divided into adult and kids classes (<14) in beginner, intermediate, and advanced streams, We use titled chess masters as our instructors, and our class sizes are limited. Each class involves a mix of lecture, discussion and play, and may run from 1 to 1.5 hrs. in length. 

In-person classes are held at 918 Bathurst on Monday evenings from 5:00 to 9:30 PM. Online classes run on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

>>See Classes Reg'n

We usually run several special events throughout the year.
Smaller events may include our Halloween Rapid and guest GMs/WGMs or other titled players participating in multiplayer blitz or rapid simuls in our casual play area. We also organize and run larger events including GTCL and OCA—blitz, rapid and classical chess. We periodically run GM/IM norm events with help from some great sponsors and chess federations. See below for a quick list of nine special events in 2023.

>>See Special Event Reg'n.

An ongoing initiative is the operation of Toronto Women's Chess Club (TWCC). This is a chess-related women's group (including girls) that meets for free at Annex Chess Club on the second Monday of every month. ACC's Resident WGM Anna Burtasova chooses a new chess-related theme for each meeting. Women from all GTA chess clubs are welcome. Check it out!

Related article: Irina Bulmaga 

<<Click on the Lichess Puzzle of the Day and solve it, plus others. Login not req'd.

2. CHESS.COM FILES MOTION TO DISMISS

(for those who care about the cheating scandal)

Chess.com has filed a motion to dismiss Hans Niemann's lawsuit on the basis that it has been brought only as a public relations stunt. The lawsuit was filed against GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Hikaru Nakamura, the Play Magnus Group, and IM Danny Rensch as defendants and seeks at least $100 million in damages. It's unclear what will happen next, but the Court will have  to decide whether to proceed or not with a trial.

Read more (Chess.com)

Read more (Chess Cheating Update) 

Read more (Botez Live Video) 

4. LONDON CHESS CONF – CHESS & STEM (for educators and parents)

The 2023 edition of the London Chess Conference takes place on March 17-19 on the theme of Chess and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). This conference brings together those involved in the use of chess for educational purposes, including representatives from the Education Commissions for FIDE and ECU.

Read more (LCC Website)                              

ARTICLES/RADIO

• Sunday, Jan 22, 2023 - Toronto Star

• Sunday, Feb 4, 2023 - CTV News

• Sunday, Mar 19, 2023 - Globe and Mail 

• Radio Report - Toronto Metro U.

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