Illustration of a chess piece.

Aug 09,2024

Discover Local Chess Meetups: Join the Portland Chess Adventure

If you’re looking for great places to play chess in Portland, you’re in the right spot. Chess has truly captured my heart, and while I haven’t played as much lately, my passion for the game remains strong. In this post, I’ll share my experiences and highlight local spots where you can connect with fellow chess enthusiasts.

Getting Started

My chess journey began about five months ago when I started with a rating of around 200. At first, I focused on moving my pieces and capturing others whenever I could. However, I often fell into traps set by more experienced players. Eventually, I decided to learn through trial and error.

 

As I played more, my rating increased to 800. I know that’s still far from the top players, but I believe I’ll get there step by step. Initially, I lost many games, but as I played online every day, I started to recognize patterns. This helped me avoid making the same mistakes and win more often.

The Portland Chess Community

After about three months of learning on my own, I was ready to play my first game in Portland. I wanted to understand the game better before finding a chess community. Although there aren’t many clubs in the area, I found one called OTB Knights. It felt like the perfect fit for me.

 

OTB Knights was perfect, no RSVP or sign-up required and no pressure to attend every week. It’s a friendly meetup where people from all over the city come together to play. You can challenge anyone, and they provide boards and clocks—just bring yourself and a willingness to play.

 

Here’s a quick look at the weekly meetups spots: How it works is each day the chess games will be held in different places across the city most are like cafes you can just walk in and start playing 

-Mondays: Lucky Lab Brewery

-Tuesdays: ForeLand Beer Study

-Wednesdays: Portland Chess Club at the Lloyd Center Mall

-Thursdays: Lazy Days Brewing

-Sundays: Costello’s Travel Café

 

You simply show up and start playing! Their website has more details and information about tournaments, so be sure to check it out.

Embracing the Journey

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that it’s perfectly okay not to know everything when you start something new. Chess, like many aspects of life, is a journey of discovery. Each game offers valuable lessons and helps you grow as a player.

If you’re in Portland and have a passion for chess or simply interested in learning more, I encourage you to check out our local community OTB Knights. The coordinator I’ve met is very welcoming and has created great opportunities for everyone.

 

I’d love to hear about your own chess experiences! Feel free to reach out through the contact page.

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