Waltham Chess Club - General Information

The Waltham Chess Club provides a pleasant playing site to improve one’s game in a friendly, handicapped-accessible setting. We offer a wide variety of rated and unrated tournaments, along with play-for-fun casual nights. Our goal is for players to enjoy themselves.

When: Friday nights, 7:00 PM until midnight (or later!)

Where: the cafeteria of the 404 Wyman Street offices in Waltham

What you will find: Our diverse membership, ranging from beginners to masters, provides players with multiple styles and strengths to learn from. Some come only for tournaments, while others come every week, but all are willing to share their knowledge to help others. On casual nights we analyze games, study openings, and play for fun. Sometimes we offer FREE PIZZA NIGHTS - first-come, first-serve, so come early!

Events: The Waltham Chess Club runs an extensive schedule of nationally-rated, cash-prize tournaments throughout the year, ranging from blitz to long-play. Some are one-evening only events, while others extend over many weeks. Both “class” and “upset” prizes are given, so players of all strengths have a chance to be winners. MASTERS GET TO PLAY FOR FREE! (To qualify, a Master must show a current rating of 2200 or more in the latest USCF Ratings Supplement, or must possess a Life Master title, for which he/she must provide satisfactory proof at time of entry.)

Membership: All are welcome. However, there are many benefits for those wishing to support the club with an annual $15 membership. One of the key bonuses is a discount for each tournament entry fee. Even those who only play a few events a year quickly recoup their minimal investments. The club also renews USCF memberships at discount.

Affiliates: The Waltham Chess Club is affiliated with both the United States Chess Federation and the Massachusetts Chess Association.

Directions: From the south, take I-95 (Route 128) north to exit 27B (Winter St. - Wyman Street exit). Turn left at the stop light. About two-thirds of the way up the second hill, you will see an entrance on your left for 404 Wyman Street North (IBM). Enter, park in the free, covered garage, and go in through the front door. Security personnel are on duty, so please sign the visitors’ log.

From the north, take I-95 (Route 128) south to exit 28A (Trapelo Rd.). Turn left at the top of the ramp and pass over I-95. At the first light, turn right onto Smith Street, which becomes Wyman Street. Look for 404 Wyman Street North (IBM) on your right. Enter, park in the free, covered garage, and go in through the front door. Security personnel are on duty, so please sign the visitors’ log.

The building is wheelchair-accessible.  There is a wheelchair ramp in the front of the building to get access to the guard desk. From there, proceed to end of corridor to the second elevator bank, which goes to the 2nd floor (cafeteria level). The first elevator bank on the way to the cafeteria only allows access to floors 3 through 5.

We also have a map with a summary of the directions.

More information: If you need more information, please feel free to get in touch with us. You can contact Todd Chase, WCC Member Coordinator, info@WalthamChessClub.org,  (781) 790-1033.