Chess at the RA

Ottawa’s RA Chess Club is one of the oldest, largest and most active clubs in Canada. Every Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon from September through the end of June, members meet for both competitive and recreational play. The Club also hosts simultaneous exhibitions and lectures by some of the world’s best players as well as many weekend regional tournaments attracting top players from outside the region. 

Chess Club exception dates:​

• ​​There will be no meetings on stat holidays.
• No regular Sunday play will occur during scheduled tournaments. Upcoming tournament exception dates include June 15.

JOIN THE CLUB!
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2024/25 Season: Thursday September 5, 2024 to Thursday June 12, 2025

Membership Options

The RA Chess Club membership is a 10-month membership which starts in September and runs through the end of June. The membership includes access to the following two weekly playtimes:

• Competitive Tournament Play - Thursdays 7:00pm - 10:00pm
  Thursday evenings' program consist of a series of rated tournaments most with a 90+30 time control. 
  
  
• The Sunday Rapid - Sundays 1:00pm - 4:00pm
  Sunday afternoons' program is more of a recreational play experience for members featuring an unrated, 5 round, 10m+5s, Swiss. Members who choose not to play in a scheduled event may play casual Chess at any time. 

​Chess Club exception dates:

• There will be no meetings during the holiday season or on stat holidays.
• No regular Sunday play will occur during scheduled tournaments. Tournament exception dates include September 29, November 3, December 8, January 19, March 2, April 20 and June 15.

Membership Fees

HALF-SEASON MEMBERSHIP FEES:
ADULT Fee (plus hst): $80 + $6 Facility Renewal Fee* = Total Cost: $86
*A 7.5% Facility Renewal Fee is applied. ​Read more about the Facility Renewal Fee here.

JUNIOR Fee (plus hst): (ages 13 to 17): $65 

Please register in person at the Guest Services Desk, located near the east entrance of the RA Centre.
Debit and credit cards (Visa & MasterCard) accepted. No cash.

or by telephone: 613-733-5100 ext 360. 
Only credit cards (Visa & MasterCard) are accepted by phone.
Please have your credit card ready when you call.
If staff are busy serving a client, please leave a message and your call will be returned as soon possible.

Juniors

Juniors, ages 13 to 17, are welcome to participate year-round on Thursday evenings for tournament play and Sunday for casual play. Those wishing to participate must be knowledgeable chess players as determined by the Club Chair. The Club Chair may also waive the age requirement for exceptionally talented youngsters (less than 13 years of age who demonstrate chess ability and social maturity). Please contact Chris Fritzsche at [email protected] to make arrangements for an assessment. Note: Persons younger than 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Upcoming Tournaments

2024-25 Tournaments

Eastern Ontario Open - June 13, 14, 15, 2025

For more information, please contact Halldor at [email protected] or drop by during a chess club meeting.

Chess Club Council 

Halldor Palsson	Chair/and Tournament Director
Vacant	Vice Chair
David Gordon	Website
Jeremy Sztuka	Secretary

Chess Club news

2024/25 RA Chess Club Champion
Congratulations to Svitlana Demchenko on winning the Club Championship with a perfect 7-0 record! Svitlana also tied for first in the 2025 Canadian Women’s Championship (2nd on tiebreaks).

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Drop-in Play

Open to everyone - No membership required
Drop-in play is available for both the Thursday and Sunday Chess Club sessions below:

• ​Competitive Tournament Play - Thursdays 7:00pm - 10:00pm
• ​The Sunday Rapid - Sundays 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Drop-in Fees

DROP-IN FEE:  $4.42 + $0.33 Facility Renewal Fee* = Total Cost: $5.38 (includes hst)
*A 7.5% Facility Renewal Fee is applied. ​Read more about the Facility Renewal Fee here.
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Drop-in fees can be paid at the Guest Services desk in the East Wing.
​Please present your receipt to the chair before the beginning of the play.