ACC Founder: Ted Winick (dec.)

ABOUT OUR CLUB – Chess for Everyone! (our motto)

Annex Chess Club (ACC) is an unincorporated association of members founded in 2010. It's purpose is the social organization and operation of a not-for-profit chess club in downtown Toronto, and the teaching and promotion of chess through classes, lectures, tournaments and special events.

We like to think that ACC's Board of Directors, titled players and members are progressive and forward-thinking. Our people are solid citizens and come from all walks of life. We have many great adult, senior, junior and women players in our Club. 

All members and guests of ACC are always treated with the greatest respect. This is our hallmark principle.  Most countries and cultures are well-represented, and we love it when new immigrants to Canada join us and immediately feel right at home. Chess is a wonderful language that crosses all cultural boundaries. Temporary visitors who want to play during their stay in the GTA are welcome too. 

At ACC, we've forged great working relationships with other chess clubs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).  Many of our own members are also members of these other fine clubs. We work with many great titled chess players from Canada and abroad, as well as some of the best chess arbiters. We enjoy receiving the support of important Canadian chess organizations—Chess Federation of Canada (CFC), Greater Toronto Chess League (GTCL), Ontario Chess Association (OCA) and Fédération québécoise des échecs (FQE).

Looking back over the years, we've also had some memorable chess players and other celebrities visit ACC, for example—GM Hikaru Nakamura, GM Evgeny Bareev, GM Marin Bosiočić and World Champion U1800 IM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux (2022), Joey Votto (MLB Star and chess enthusiast, 2022), WGM Jennifer Shahade (2017), 15-year old GM Aryan Chopra (2017), GM Elshan Moradiabadi (2013), GM Alexi Shirov (2012), GM Nigel Short (2012), GM Wesley So (2012) and actor Woody Harrelson (2011). These individuals have added greatly to our shared history and memories.

We fondly remember our Club's Founder, Ted Winick and his wife Heidi Winick and we thank their children—Maxie, Jordan and Kailyn for their continuing support.

Our Club's motto is "Chess for Everyone!" This statement may be found in both our official logo and By-Laws.