Play More Chess Academy | Chess Classes, Lessons, Tournaments, Gifts | Home of the Hamden Chess Club in Hamden, CT

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Chess!

Classes

Events

Hamden Chess Club

2025-2026 Kids Team

2026 Summer Program

College
Scholarship Program

Gift Certificates!
$25 | $50 | $100

Please Note: PMCA / HCC will be closed Monday, Feb 23, 2026 due to the forecasted snow storm. (No In-Person Classes, Store Hours or Casual Play in the evening). Monday enrolled students can either join an online class at their regular time or attend a makeup in-person class at their respective level on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please email info@playmorechess.com with student's name if you wish to attend one of the above.

Please stay safe and avoid unnecessary driving in the snow!

HCC Upcoming Events
(For a full listing, see the Events page)

Mar 4 (Wed) 6:30PM-8:30PM Chess Tactics and Calculation Adult Class (Class 1 of 3) Instructor: NM Jordan Groff Sign up online at Hamden Adult Education or in-person at PMCA HCC Adult Chess Improvers

Mar 6 (Fri) 5:00-6:30PM FIRST FRIDAY CHESS SOCIAL Unwind from the week with fellow chess enthusiasts. Rousing game replays on the big screen, music, free cookies; and sodas//water/juice: $1 Just show up - no registration needed HCC FREE - Open to all ages and chess levels - Whether a casual player or serious competitor this is a great space to meet new people, test your skills, and enjoy a shared love of the game

Mar 7 (Sat) 1:00PM-talk GM Maxim Dlugy: lecture, book signing; Simul GM Dlugy is an acclaimed chess author and the 2025 CT State Champion. Lecture: free to attend but must email rsvp your name to info@playmorechess.com. Simul Registration: $30 by one week prior, $40 by Tues prior 3/3; $50 thereafter. Open to public but must please pre-register (Space is limited: talk (50); Simul (20)

Mar 14 (Sat) 1:00PM~ 4:00PM HCC March U1200 Beginner Open (Prizes: $300 b/20): $150-$100; Top Female: $50 Trophies: Top U900, Top U600 or choice of chess medals for those not receiving the above

Mar 16 (Mon) 6:30PM HCC March Action Quads (Prizes: $300, b/24)

Mar 21 (Sat) 10:30AM Hamden Chess Club Championship (Prizes: $1000, b/24; 70% Gtd); 2 Sections; trophies, book prizes; Open to all (USCF membership required)

First Friday Chess Social

Friday, Mar 6, 2026 5:00-6:30PM

Enjoy chess with fellow enthusiasts. Rousing game replays on the big screen, music,
free cookies.. Open to all ages and chess levels - Whether a casual player or serious competitor this is a great space to meet new people, test your skills, and enjoy a shared love of the game

FREE - Just show up - no registration needed.
.

Come join the fun!

GM Maxim Dlugy

Lecture, Book signing, Simul
acclaimed chess author and 2025 CT State Champion

Sat., Mar 7 1:00PM

Sign up for Lecture (1:00PM), book signing (free - but must rsvp your name to info@playmorechess.com

Sign up for Simul (~2:15PM - Play a game with GM Dlugy) Registration: $30, by one week prior), $40 by Tues prior 3/3; $50 thereafter

2025-2026 Hamden Chess Team
Flyer and Schedule

For kids of all rating levels, organized by National Master Jordan Groff (Coach Jordan). This team is for Scholastic chess players who wish to play in regional USCF tournaments in CT and nearby states during the course of the year. New team year starts in July.

Online Sign Up

National Master Jordan Groff (Coach Jordan) has several
new lesson time slots available (posted 2-9-26)

Reserve yours today

New HCC Membership Benefit:

The books listed are available for purchase, and HCC Members may borrow up to two books at a time for up to
30 days. from the HCC Chess book collection.
https://www.librarycat.org/lib/HamdenChessClub

Hamden Chess Club named Connecticut Chess Club of the Year for 2023 (and 2021) by Connecticut State Chess Association

Upcoming USCF and weekly online Tournaments, Adult Casual Play are listed on Events page

Chess Classes
for Kids (Year-Round)

*Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Classes - Eight class times offered each week

*Engaging learning, tournament play within each week's group

*Online and In-Person Options

*Includes option to participate tournaments at reduced rate; free online chess club participation

Sign Up

Hamden Chess Club

*Casual Play and USCF Tournaments

*In-Person Activities:
Casual Play Mondays & Thursdays; Monthly USCF- Rated tournaments for kids and adults
*Online Activities: 10+ tournaments each month with prizes
*HCC library borrowing access
*151 HCC members

Sign Up

Chess Classes for Adults
(Fall, Winter, Spring)

Classes meet one evening
(two hours) per week

Winter/Spring 2026 Courses:

*Chess for Beginners
*Chess Tactics and Calculation
*Chess Endgames
*Chess Openings

Sign up online at Hamden Adult Education or at PMCA for Adult Chess Classes

Upcoming Adult Chess Classes in partnership with Hamden Adult Education
(Offered in Winter/Spring 2026):

WINTER/SPRING 2026(Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30PM)
Taught by NM Jordan Groff

*Chess for Beginners (Feb 4, 11, 18; 6:30-8:30PM)
*Chess Tactics and Calculation (Mar 4, 11, 18; 6:30-8:30PM)
*Chess Endgames (Apr 8, 15, 22; 6:30-8:30PM)
*Chess Openings (May 6, 13, 20; 6:30-8:30PM)

Sign up for Adult Chess Classes at Hamden Adult Education web site at the respective course links or in-person at PMCA. The entire course catalog of Enrichment courses will be listed at: www.hamdenadulted.com.

Class Location: Play More Chess Academy, 1227 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06517

Congratulations:

Congratulations to our recent winners of HCC online and OTB tournaments (in Bold):

Feb 21: HCC February Game-in-45 Challenge: Open: Alex Emmons (1st), Truman Kaczmarczyk (2nd); U1600: Elizabeth C. Smith, Niranjan Sivakumar (Tie - 1st/2nd); Biggest Upset of Tournament: Truman Kaczmarczyk; Top Female (U1600): Elizabeth C. Smith
Feb 18: Omkar Maralappanavar
Feb 16: HCC (Presidents' Day) February Action Quads: Quad 1: Neil Natarajan; Quad 2: Gabi Rosenstein
Feb 14: HCC February U1200 Rated Beginner Open: 1st/2nd (Tie): Timur Ilichev, Wesley Hunter; Top Female: Gopichandana Tatiguntla; Top U900: Nicholas Read; Top U600: Adri Chakraborty; Top Unrated: Robert Buthorn
Feb 11: Omkar Maralappanavar
Feb 9: Gabi Rosenstein
Feb 4: David Diaz
Feb 2: Kieran Kromash

As of Feb 22, 2026 $44,015 has been distributed in cash and prizes at the adult and kids tournaments (OTB and online) since our first tournament. See USCF cross tables for HCC tournaments and HCC Online tournaments on Lichess for cross-tables and lists of past tournaments.

Join the HCC, participate in our next tournament, and win a prize!

Recent News:

2025-11-4 Mini-documentary (5 min) about PMCA and Hamden Chess Club
2025-09-08 HCC Family membership option added
2025-09-05 Inaugural First Friday Chess Social
2025-05-31 2024-2025 Year-in-Review (PMCA and HCC)
2025-05-12 Congrats to HCC Club member Alex Emmons for earning USCF National Master title at the HCC May Action Quads tournament
2025-01-01 Annual College Scholarship program
2024-11-10 HCC Member Benefit can now borrow books from the HCC Library for up to 30 days
2024-05-31 2023-2024 Year-in-Review (PMCA and HCC)
2024-05-22 College Scholarship Winners Announced by PMCA/HCC
2024-05-14 Hamden Chess Club named Connecticut Chess Club of the Year for 2023 by Connecticut State Chess Association

Newsletter:

Play More Chess Academy
1227 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06517
Email: info@PlayMoreChess.com | Phone: 203.680.8456

*Play* More Chess! Home About Classes Events Hamden Chess Club 2025-2026 Kids Team Lessons Live Games 2026 Summer Program College Scholarship Program Gift Certificates! $25 \| $50 \| $100
	Please Note: PMCA / HCC will be closed Monday, Feb 23, 2026 due to the forecasted snow storm. (No In-Person Classes, Store Hours or Casual Play in the evening). Monday enrolled students can either join an online class at their regular time or attend a makeup in-person class at their respective level on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please email info@playmorechess.com with student's name if you wish to attend one of the above. Please stay safe and avoid unnecessary driving in the snow! HCC Upcoming Events (For a full listing, see the Events page) Mar 4 (Wed) 6:30PM-8:30PM Chess Tactics and Calculation Adult Class (Class 1 of 3) Instructor: NM Jordan Groff Sign up online at Hamden Adult Education or in-person at PMCA HCC Adult Chess Improvers Mar 6 (Fri) 5:00-6:30PM FIRST FRIDAY CHESS SOCIAL Unwind from the week with fellow chess enthusiasts. Rousing game replays on the big screen, music, free cookies; and sodas//water/juice: $1 Just show up - no registration needed HCC FREE - Open to all ages and chess levels - Whether a casual player or serious competitor this is a great space to meet new people, test your skills, and enjoy a shared love of the game Mar 7 (Sat) 1:00PM-talk GM Maxim Dlugy: lecture, book signing; Simul GM Dlugy is an acclaimed chess author and the 2025 CT State Champion. Lecture: free to attend but must email rsvp your name to info@playmorechess.com. Simul Registration: $30 by one week prior, $40 by Tues prior 3/3; $50 thereafter. Open to public but must please pre-register (Space is limited: talk (50); Simul (20) Mar 14 (Sat) 1:00PM~ 4:00PM HCC March U1200 Beginner Open (Prizes: $300 b/20): $150-$100; Top Female: $50 Trophies: Top U900, Top U600 or choice of chess medals for those not receiving the above Mar 16 (Mon) 6:30PM HCC March Action Quads (Prizes: $300, b/24) Mar 21 (Sat) 10:30AM Hamden Chess Club Championship (Prizes: $1000, b/24; 70% Gtd); 2 Sections; trophies, book prizes; Open to all (USCF membership required) First Friday Chess Social Friday, Mar 6, 2026 5:00-6:30PM Enjoy chess with fellow enthusiasts. Rousing game replays on the big screen, music, free cookies.. Open to all ages and chess levels - Whether a casual player or serious competitor this is a great space to meet new people, test your skills, and enjoy a shared love of the game FREE - Just show up - no registration needed. . Come join the fun! GM Maxim Dlugy Lecture, Book signing, Simul acclaimed chess author and 2025 CT State Champion Sat., Mar 7 1:00PM Sign up for Lecture (1:00PM), book signing (free - but must rsvp your name to info@playmorechess.com Sign up for Simul (~2:15PM - Play a game with GM Dlugy) Registration: $30, by one week prior), $40 by Tues prior 3/3; $50 thereafter 2025-2026 Hamden Chess Team Flyer and Schedule For kids of all rating levels, organized by National Master Jordan Groff (Coach Jordan). This team is for Scholastic chess players who wish to play in regional USCF tournaments in CT and nearby states during the course of the year. New team year starts in July. Online Sign Up National Master Jordan Groff (Coach Jordan) has several new lesson time slots available (posted 2-9-26) Reserve yours today New HCC Membership Benefit: The books listed are available for purchase, and HCC Members may borrow up to two books at a time for up to 30 days. from the HCC Chess book collection. https://www.librarycat.org/lib/HamdenChessClub Hamden Chess Club named Connecticut Chess Club of the Year for 2023 (and 2021) by Connecticut State Chess Association Upcoming USCF and weekly online Tournaments, Adult Casual Play are listed on Events page
	Chess Classes for Kids (Year-Round) Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Classes - Eight class times offered each week Engaging learning, tournament play within each week's group Online and In-Person Options Includes option to participate tournaments at reduced rate; free online chess club participation Sign Up	Hamden Chess Club Casual Play and USCF Tournaments In-Person Activities: Casual Play Mondays & Thursdays; Monthly USCF- Rated tournaments for kids and adults Online Activities: 10+ tournaments each month with prizes HCC library borrowing access 151 HCC members Sign Up*	Chess Classes for Adults (Fall, Winter, Spring) Classes meet one evening (two hours) per week Winter/Spring 2026 Courses: *Chess for Beginners *Chess Tactics and Calculation Chess Endgames Chess Openings Sign up online at Hamden Adult Education or at PMCA for Adult Chess Classes
	Upcoming Adult Chess Classes in partnership with Hamden Adult Education (Offered in Winter/Spring 2026): WINTER/SPRING 2026(Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30PM) Taught by NM Jordan Groff *Chess for Beginners (Feb 4, 11, 18; 6:30-8:30PM) *Chess Tactics and Calculation (Mar 4, 11, 18; 6:30-8:30PM) *Chess Endgames (Apr 8, 15, 22; 6:30-8:30PM) *Chess Openings (May 6, 13, 20; 6:30-8:30PM) Sign up for Adult Chess Classes at Hamden Adult Education web site at the respective course links or in-person at PMCA. The entire course catalog of Enrichment courses will be listed at: www.hamdenadulted.com. Class Location: Play More Chess Academy, 1227 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06517 Congratulations: Congratulations to our recent winners of HCC online and OTB tournaments (in Bold): Feb 21: HCC February Game-in-45 Challenge: Open: Alex Emmons (1st), Truman Kaczmarczyk (2nd); U1600: Elizabeth C. Smith, Niranjan Sivakumar (Tie - 1st/2nd); Biggest Upset of Tournament: Truman Kaczmarczyk; Top Female (U1600): Elizabeth C. Smith Feb 18: Omkar Maralappanavar Feb 16: HCC (Presidents' Day) February Action Quads: Quad 1: Neil Natarajan; Quad 2: Gabi Rosenstein Feb 14: HCC February U1200 Rated Beginner Open: 1st/2nd (Tie): Timur Ilichev, Wesley Hunter; Top Female: Gopichandana Tatiguntla; Top U900: Nicholas Read; Top U600: Adri Chakraborty; Top Unrated: Robert Buthorn Feb 11: Omkar Maralappanavar Feb 9: Gabi Rosenstein Feb 4: David Diaz Feb 2: Kieran Kromash As of Feb 22, 2026 $44,015 has been distributed in cash and prizes at the adult and kids tournaments (OTB and online) since our first tournament. See USCF cross tables for HCC tournaments and HCC Online tournaments on Lichess for cross-tables and lists of past tournaments. Join the HCC, participate in our next tournament, and win a prize! Recent News: 2025-11-4 Mini-documentary (5 min) about PMCA and Hamden Chess Club 2025-09-08 HCC Family membership option added 2025-09-05 Inaugural First Friday Chess Social 2025-05-31 2024-2025 Year-in-Review (PMCA and HCC) 2025-05-12 Congrats to HCC Club member Alex Emmons for earning USCF National Master title at the HCC May Action Quads tournament 2025-01-01 Annual College Scholarship program 2024-11-10 HCC Member Benefit can now borrow books from the HCC Library for up to 30 days 2024-05-31 2023-2024 Year-in-Review (PMCA and HCC) 2024-05-22 College Scholarship Winners Announced by PMCA/HCC 2024-05-14 Hamden Chess Club named Connecticut Chess Club of the Year for 2023 by Connecticut State Chess Association

	Newsletter: Subscribe to our mailing list to find out about chess events, tournaments, chess classes and activities in the Hamden/New Haven area. You will receive our monthly newsletter at the beginning of the month. Stay updated on local chess meetups and events by following us on Instagram and Facebook and choosing to Like our page.
	Play More Chess Academy 1227 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06517 Email: info@PlayMoreChess.com \| Phone: 203.680.8456