2027 US Chess Club of the Year Awards: Nominations Open

Each year, the U.S. Chess Federation honors clubs that go above and beyond in promoting the game and serving their communities through the Chess Club of the Year Awards. 

For the first time, five categories of clubs can be nominated this year, up from three in previous years. These categories are Small, Medium, and Large Club, and the new categories of Extra-Large Club and College Club. 

The nomination period for the 2027 cycle opens Nov. 15, 2026 and closes April 1, 2027. The nomination form is available here.

Award Categories

Extra-Large Large Clubs have 200 or more members, Large Clubs have 100 to 199 members, Medium Clubs have 30 to 99 members, and Small Clubs have 3 to 29 members. 

Membership Classification

For the 2027 awards, club size is determined by the number of unique individuals who belonged to the club from January 1 through December 31, 2026. Each individual is counted once, regardless of repeat attendance or renewals. 

Clubs nominating before December 31, 2026 may report their current annual unique membership. They need to update their nomination only if additional members move them into a different size category. Updates may be emailed to Click here to show email address; a new application is not necessary.

What Nominations Include

The nomination form collects club and nominator information, membership totals, US Chess affiliate information (if available), organizational status, and details about club accomplishments, community outreach, events, membership growth, and retention. Supporting links may also be provided.

About the Awards

The US Chess Club of the Year Awards recognize chess clubs for their contributions to their members and communities. The 2027 program includes expanded size categories and a dedicated college club category to encourage participation from clubs of different sizes and types.

Questions or membership-category updates can be directoed to Click here to show email address.

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For a printable version of this flyer, click here.