Greater Baystate Chess

03/25/2026

Greetings and salutations Chess Fans,

GBCC WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad Street
Westfield, MA
01085
***********************************************

Sadly,
The Greater Baystate Chess Club will be closing its doors for an unknown
amount of time.

One of our club's officers, due to circumstances in their life, will not be able to attend. This officer's presence is
essential to the operations of the club, so we will not be able to
convene.

We are sorry, but there will be no club meetings until
further notice. We hope this isn't forever, but we'll have to pray and see how it goes.

Thank you to all of you who've supported us over the last 3 years!

- Greater Baystate Chess Team

---

03/21/2026

GBCC Is CANCELED Monday 3/23, 2026

St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad Street
Westfield, MA
01085
****************************************

There won't be a Chess club meeting this week due to the inclimate weather forecasted. It's going to be very rainy, continuing into the overnight hours, changing over to wet snow. Be safe and blessed this week to all.
****************************************

03/15/2026

GBCC Is CANCELED Monday 3/16, 2026

St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad Street
Westfield, MA
01085
****************************************

There won't be a Chess club meeting this week due to a family crisis that arose over the weekend. We'll also need to play it by ear moving forward as a result.
We apologize for any inconvenience and hope you all have as nice a week as you can.
****************************************

03/06/2026

GBCC Meets Monday, 3/9, 2026
6:00 PM
St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad Street
Westfield, MA
01085
****************************************

Due to popular demand, we're holding a blitz tournament this coming week. Several folks have requested it, so it's ON! And it happens to be Bobby Fischer's Birthday. He would be 83, were he still with us.
****************************************

"Bobby Fischer's Birthday Blitz"

$500 Prize Fund Guaranteed

Cash Prizes: $200 - $125 - $80 - $65 - $30

US Chess Federation Membership Required

Can Be Purchased At The Club

USCF Blitz Rated Only

Unrated $10

Format: 4 Rounds; Double Round Robin. G/5;d0

Each Player Plays Their Opponent Twice,
Once With Each Color

Rounds: 7:00, 7:20, 7:40, 8:00

Entry Fee: $20

Registration: 6:00 - 6:45 On Site

Entries: Cash Only At The Door

Link to USCF TLA: https://new.uschess.org/bobby-fischers-birthday-blitz
*****************************************

The Tournament Is Optional, Not Required.

There Will Be A Separate Skittles Area.

All Other Club Activities Will Be Available
*****************************************

*Huge Free parking lot in the rear of the church, well lit.
*501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT, DONATION BASED
*No membership fees required.
*Donations Are Greatly Appreciated!
*US Chess Federation Affiliate
*Casual & professional players welcome at all levels, ages 5 and up.
*Fun family atmosphere. We strive to make it, so Everyone feels welcome!
*Productive, educational activities for *children & adults alike.
*Chess equipment is provided, and you may *bring your own if you like.
*Many Chess Club Library Books
*Rated & Unrated tournaments
*Simultaneous Exhibitions
*Basic lessons
*Analysis of games
*Chess puzzles to solve
*Make new friends, see old friends!
*Free Coffee
*Cold drinks & snacks available
*You may bring your own food
*Great lighting
*Separate Restrooms
*Many large tables
*Please be considerate & kind to everyone.
______________________________________

Cash Prizes: $200 - $125 - $80 - $65 - $50 - $30 US Chess Federation Membership Required Can Be Purchased At The ClubUSCF Blitz Rated Only Format: 4 Rounds; Double Round Robin.Each Player Plays Their Opponent Twice, Once With Each Color Rounds: 7:00, 7:20, 7:40, 8:00 Entry Fee: $20 Unrated $10

02/14/2026

★GBCC WILL BE CLOSED★
MONDAY, February 16th.

St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad Street
Westfield, MA 01085
***************************************

There will be no chess club this coming week, in observance of Washington's Birthday.
In the meantime, here is a composition from 1876.

WHITE TO MOVE, CHECKMATE IN 3:
***************************************

12/06/2025

An American Chess Master;
I won the 1945 U.S. Open Chess Championship, 4 New York State Championships, and 6 Marshall Chess Club Championships...

Who am I?

11/27/2025

Greetings chess fans,

GBCC Meets Monday, 12/1, 2025
6:00 PM
St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad Street
Westfield, MA
01085
****************************************

This coming week, will be a USCF Quick Rated only tournament:

"The Morristown Survival Cup"

US Chess Federation Membership Required

(Highest Current USCF Ratings &
Accelerated Pairings Will Be Used)

$200 Prize Fund Based on 20 Rated Players

Prizes will increase with more entries

Prizes:
Open 1st $60 2nd $50
Top U2000 $40
Top U1600 $30
Top U1200 & Unrated $20

Format: 4RSS/G/12;d3

Entry Fee:
Unrated Players $5
Rated Players $15

Register Here:
https://www.caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7893

by 5:00 P.M. on 12/1
or cash only at the club
From 6:00 - 6:30pm.

Rounds: 6:45, rounds 2 through 4, ASAP.
The tournament should last 2 hours.
************************************************
On December 1, 1779, General George Washington’s army began its second winter encampment in Morristown, New Jersey. It ended on June 22, 1780. The encampment was characterized by extreme hardship, with soldiers facing one of the most severe winters on record, suffering from shortages of food, clothing, and shelter. It was so harsh that many of the soldiers had to boil and eat their own boots to survive. Many of them did not make it out. The army was strategically located between New York and Philadelphia, and the town's local resources helped provide for the soldiers' needs.
This December 1st, 2025; 246 years later, we honor and remember General Washington and his men's sacrifices for our freedom with this Chess tournament.
************************************************
The tournament is optional, not required. Casual, non-rated chess games open to players of all levels. Fresh Hot coffee, refreshments, and snacks will be available as always.
************************************************

*Huge Free parking lot in the rear of the church, well lit.
*501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT, DONATION BASED
*No membership fees required.
*Donations Are Greatly Appreciated!
*US Chess Federation Affiliate
*Casual & professional players welcome at all levels, ages 5 and up.
*Fun family atmosphere. We strive to make it, so Everyone feels welcome!
*Productive, educational activities for *children & adults alike.
*Chess equipment is provided, and you may *bring your own if you like.
*Many Chess Club Library Books
*Rated & Unrated tournaments
*Simultaneous Exhibitions
*Basic lessons
*Analysis of games
*Chess puzzles to solve
*Make new friends, see old friends!
*Free Coffee
*Cold drinks & snacks available
*You may bring your own food
*Great lighting
*Separate Restrooms
*Many large tables
*Please be considerate & kind to everyone.
______________________________________

11/20/2025

GBCC Meets Monday, 11/24, 2025
6:00 PM
St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad Street
Westfield, MA
01085
****************************************

For those interested, we will be replaying and analyzing the brilliant winning finale from one of the most famous and celebrated chess games in history, which happened to be played during a Thanksgiving week many decades ago! There will be 3 separate prizes to win:

★1st - For one participant who can solve the first move in the sequence by white, and explain why it was played.

★2nd - For one participant who can solve the second move in the sequence by white, and why it was played.

★3rd - For one participant who can solve the remaining 7 moves in the sequence of the game which caused resignation by black.

★Only one prize per person.★

This is free and optional, not required, for anyone who wishes to join in.
Casual, non-rated chess games. Hot coffee, refreshments, and snacks will be available as always.

****************************************************

*Huge Free parking lot in the rear of the church, well lit.
*501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT, DONATION BASED
*No membership fees required.
*Donations Are Greatly Appreciated!
*US Chess Federation Affiliate
*Casual & professional players welcome at all levels, ages 5 and up.
*Fun family atmosphere. We strive to make it, so Everyone feels welcome!
*Productive, educational activities for *children & adults alike.
*Chess equipment is provided, and you may *bring your own if you like.
*Many Chess Club Library Books
*Rated & Unrated tournaments
*Simultaneous Exhibitions
*Basic lessons
*Analysis of games
*Chess puzzles to solve
*Make new friends, see old friends!
*Free Coffee
*Cold drinks & snacks available
*You may bring your own food
*Great lighting
*Separate Restrooms
*Many large tables
*Please be considerate & kind to everyone.
______________________________________

11/14/2025

★GBCC WILL BE CLOSED
MONDAY 11/17th, 2025★

St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad Street
Westfield, MA
01085
****************************************

Have a great week, chess fans! ♟️

11/09/2025

GBCC Meets Monday, 11/10, 2025
6:00 PM
St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad Street
Westfield, MA
01085
****************************************

Casual, non-rated chess games this week. Hot coffee, refreshments, and snacks will be available as always. A tricky checkmating tactics problem composed from a famous game in history will be offered to anyone interested.
Prizes for:
1st - Complete solution from start to finish
2nd - First move in the sequence
3rd - The ideas behind each move in the sequence.

♠︎Only 1 prize for each to the first 3 people who find the correct answers.♠︎

Come on down, and let chess expand your minds!
****************************************************

*Huge Free parking lot in the rear of the church, well lit.
*501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT, DONATION BASED
*No membership fees required.
*Donations Are Greatly Appreciated!
*US Chess Federation Affiliate
*Casual & professional players welcome at all levels, ages 5 and up.
*Fun family atmosphere. We strive to make it, so Everyone feels welcome!
*Productive, educational activities for *children & adults alike.
*Chess equipment is provided, and you may *bring your own if you like.
*Many Chess Club Library Books
*Rated & Unrated tournaments
*Simultaneous Exhibitions
*Basic lessons
*Analysis of games
*Chess puzzles to solve
*Make new friends, see old friends!
*Free Coffee
*Cold drinks & snacks available
*You may bring your own food
*Great lighting
*Separate Restrooms
*Many large tables
*Please be considerate & kind to everyone.
______________________________________

11/05/2025