According to YouGov Daily, an estimated 21% of American adults play chess. Chess is a wonderful game, especially for seniors looking to stay active, make new friends, and possibly join tournaments and competitions, depending on how seriously they take their chess playing.
However, it can be difficult for older adults to connect with other like-minded chess enthusiasts. One of the best ways of enjoying this game with others is through local chess clubs.
This article discusses the best chess clubs for seniors and how older adults can find them in the Jacksonville, FL, area.
What Is a Chess Club?
Chess clubs are for individuals who love the board game and want to get together with other chess lovers. These clubs range from informal games strictly for fun and socialization to more competitive clubs that focus on tournaments.
Although chess players can enjoy the game online, chess clubs afford them the opportunity to play in-person games. This is especially important for seniors looking to connect with other members of the community.
What Are the Advantages of a Chess Club?
Senior living challenges include loneliness and depression. This is why hobbies and connecting with other individuals over shared interests are so important.
Chess is wildly popular, for good reason. According to The House of Staunton, more than 605 million adults play chess globally.
Since chess requires critical thinking, it’s excellent for older adults. When they play this game regularly, it may positively impact their cognitive function overall.
It doesn’t matter if an older adult is a complete novice to playing chess or is a seasoned professional – people of all ability levels can enjoy this board game. When playing in a social setting, the overall game becomes more interesting and engaging than playing online.
Chess is also great for seniors in assisted living because they can:
- Meet new people and have fun in a small group while making friends
- Enjoy a bit of friendly competition in local chess events
- Share their beloved hobbies and interests with others while bonding
Chess not only sharpens critical thinking skills but is also ideal for older adults looking to build on their analytical skills. This makes chess perfect for adults looking to strengthen their memory. They can even play chess with other assisted living residents as part of community events.
How to Find a Chess Club
When joining chess groups, a great way to meet other players is through websites. This includes websites like Meetup.com. This website focuses on specific interest groups available in different locations.
Older adults can also Google “chess clubs for seniors” to see what comes up in a search. They might be redirected to a chess forum or a website for those looking to play chess online. Older adults who access social media can also use Facebook to look for chess clubs in their area.
Seniors can also explore the US Chess Federation’s website for chess clubs in their homes.
State Chess Federations
State Chess Federations also provide an excellent way for seniors to find local chess clubs and community chess activities.
The Florida Chess Association lists chess clubs by county, making it easy for older adults to connect with other chess aficionados near them. These chess clubs are broken into regions.
Jacksonville, FL is located in Duval County, which falls under the Florida Chess Association’s Northeast location. In total, Jacksonville has several chess clubs for seniors to choose from.
Here are these available chess clubs for older adults.
The Chess for Charity Club
The Chess for Charity Club “focuses on combating hunger,” according to its social media page.
This club is volunteer-run and works on donations and funding from members. It works tirelessly to help the community while playing chess, using its chess tournaments and classes to raise food items for the less fortunate. This makes this club perfect for seniors who love to play board games and volunteer.
Orange Park Chess Club
Another local chess club is the Orange Park Chess Club. They strive to create a fun environment for anyone looking to play chess. They’re ideal for seniors looking to play a casual game of chess.
Jacksonville Chess Club
The Jacksonville Chess Club is another non-profit chess club for seniors to enjoy. It doesn’t matter what level chess player an older adult is – this club is perfect for people of all chess-playing ability levels.
They feature Tuesday night tournaments, providing plenty of opportunities for seniors to connect with other chess players and enjoy playing the game.
Other Ways to Find Local Chess Clubs
Local libraries also have lists of community outings. These may include game nights, especially for anyone who loves chess. Seniors should contact their local library to inquire about chess clubs and meetups.
Another great way of finding chess clubs is by contacting the local municipal building. They might be aware of events or groups that meet in the area and can often provide resources.
Word of mouth is another great way of connecting with other individuals who love chess. Don’t be afraid to ask around!
Seniors who want online chess classes can access platforms such as Chess for Seniors. This organization offers the following courses:
- Beginner Class
- Intermediate Class
- Advances Class
Each class is five weeks long. Although this organization isn’t a chess club, it can help seniors fine-tune their skills should they want to enhance their overall chess game. The Advances Class is ideal for seniors looking to compete in tournaments.
The great thing about these classes is that they’re free. Seniors only need to access Zoom to enjoy learning to play chess and to prepare for competitions.
Join Local Chess Clubs for Seniors
Local chess clubs are perfect for seniors looking to get out and enjoy a board game with other like-minded individuals. They’ll work on their cognitive skills while playing chess either recreationally or in senior chess tournaments. Hopefully, this list offers some wonderful local groups for seniors in Jacksonville, FL, looking to play chess with others.
Chess is just one of the many wonderful games for older adult participation. Discovery Village at Deerwood boasts plenty of community events for residents to enjoy, from Fall Festivals to Puppy Parades and everything in between. Contact us today and a member of our dedicated staff can speak to you about our exclusive options for seniors.
