National Chess Week To Be Held October 5-12: What To Know

National Chess Day cake in Memphis, TN

The 2024 National Chess Day falls on Saturday, October 12, which this year is also Yom Kippur, one of the most solemn holidays on the Jewish calendar.

For this reason, the Executive Board has decided to extend our National Chess Day into a National Chess Week, running from October 5-12.

For any event that includes “National Chess Day” (or “National Chess Week”) in the event title and is held October 5-12, US Chess is offering:

One free email blast. Make sure that “National Chess Day” is part of your subject line. On the payment screen, select “No charge.” Also, make sure the demographic you are sending this to is reasonable; generally, this will be local or regional. Do not send to the entire membership.
- If you have already sent and paid for an email blast for your event, you are still welcome to send an additional email blast free of charge.
- If you are unfamiliar with the email blast system, you can read our how-to guide here.
- Please note that, to send an email blast, both your individual and affiliate US Chess memberships must be current.

Free ratings fees. Use the payment code NCW2024FREE. This is case-sensitive, and can only be used for one event.
- Each affiliate will be allowed one tournament using this waiver code.
- The waiver code covers ratings fees only, not $10 correction fees, FIDE fees or Grand Prix fees. (Two-month trial memberships can no longer be submitted through the tournament submission process, so they are paid for separately.)

Free online TLA. Online TLAs are always free, of course, not just for National Chess Day. But we want to make sure you are aware of this option too as you promote your event. See “How to Create a TLA” on this page.

Note that there are some restrictions to be aware of:

The tournament must have “NCD,” “NCW,” “National Chess Day” or “National Chess Week” in the event name. (Upper/lower case should not matter.)
The event must start no earlier than Saturday, October 5, 2024, and start no later than Saturday, October 12, 2024.
The event must end no earlier than Saturday, October 5, 2024, and end no later than Sunday, October 13, 2024. (That’s to cover a Saturday-Sunday event that would end on the 13th.)

Please feel free to send your best photos to our Communications team through John Hartmann for possible use in Chess Life, Chess Life Kids, and Chess Life Online. On social media, use the hashtag #NationalChessDay.

Please direct any questions to John Hartmann. Here’s to a successful National Chess Week for all!