Free and Low-Cost Places to Play Chess in NYC

When my 8-year-old got a chess set for Christmas and was suddenly interested in learning the game, I found myself scouring the internet for places to play chess in NYC. I was thrilled to discover plenty of free and low-cost options across the city.

Chess has been a popular pastime in the Big Apple for more than a century. Many of the city’s most iconic parks feature tables for chess and checkers, and all of the public library systems offer events where kids can learn and play chess for free.

Read on for 10 places where your budding grandmasters can castle their way to fun, and find more local classes and enrichment opportunities in our Guide to Classes in NYC for Kids.

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

Best Places for Kids to Learn Chess in NYC

1. Public Parks – Citywide

From springtime through the fall (and occasionally on an unseasonably warm winter day), thousands of chess games take place every day across the city. Bryant Park, Washington Square Park, and Union Square Park in Manhattan are among the most famous green spaces for spontaneous chess matches, but every borough has parks where locals gather to play.

Be aware that the chess tables at NYC parks are known to host some infamous hustlers. Make sure you’re clear on the terms of the game before accepting a match with a stranger. Regulars with nicknames like “Beanie Man” and “Russian Paul” play to supplement their income. They might offer up some tips and advice—for a fee. Bring cash and be prepared to pay about $5 per game.

2. Chess and Checkers House – Central Park

This beautiful space at the south end of Central Park was restored in 2023 and features 24 outdoor game tables beneath a crisscrossing wooden trellis. Keep an eye out for lessons and events during warmer months. Located within the Children’s District of the park, the Chess and Checkers House is a short walk from the Central Park Zoo, the Heckscher Playground, Wollman Rink, and the Central Park Carousel.

3. School Chess Programs

Thanks to nonprofits like Chess in the Schools, public school kids across the city are learning the game of chess for free in class and after school. There are also many for-profit organizations dedicated to teaching chess to NYC students. Check with your school to see if a chess program is offered. If not, consider working with your principal to start one.

4. Marshall Chess Club – Greenwich Village

Founded in 1915 by Grandmaster Frank J. Marshall, this storied chess club inside a brownstone in Greenwich Village is an NYC institution. Children ages 14 and under with a chess rating of 400-1,200 can attend weekly sessions on Sunday mornings. The sessions cost $30 for non-members. Consider an annual membership for kids who are serious about boosting their skills. Marshall Chess Club also offers camps during school breaks.

RELATED: Best Coding Classes in NYC for Kids

Learn chess from a grandmaster at a local library. Photo by the author

5. NYC Public Libraries – Citywide

Each library system in New York City offers free events where children can learn the game of chess and practice against other kids in a relaxed setting. My son and his buddies enjoy spending winter Saturdays at the library learning from a local grandmaster. You can find free chess at the Brooklyn Public Library branches, the New York Public Library, which has branches in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, and the Queens Public Library.

6. Free Local Tournaments – Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx

The Right Move Chess Federation offers free chess tournaments for NYC kids throughout the year, in partnership with New York State Parks. Monthly chess tournaments are held at Riverbank State Park Theater in Harlem, Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn, and Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx.

7. Brooklyn Chess Club – Canarsie

This spot bills itself as “New York’s Free Chess Club” and welcomes enthusiasts to stop by for chess and other board games on Saturdays from 1-9pm. Be sure to BYOB (bring your own board) and call ahead to confirm hours, 718-444-2222. The club is located inside the Seaview Building.

8. Chess Forum – Greenwich Village

“Smart people not smartphones” is the motto of this Greenwich Village store that claims to be “the last old-style New York City chess parlor.” Kids can play pickup chess games seven days a week for free (adults can play for $5 per game and seniors play for just $1). On Saturdays from 2-4pm, the store offers a free chess training session for children ages 4-12. Summer camps are also available.

9. Private or Group Lessons and Local Camps – Multiple Locations

There are a host of organizations throughout NYC that offer private chess lessons, group classes, and camps for kids. Prices range from about $35 for a group class to $250/hour for a private lesson with a grandmaster. Here’s a sampling of what’s available:

Mastermind Chess offers afterschool programs and summer camps in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Chess at 3 offers chess clubs and classes in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and the Upper East Side, as well as lessons online.

Chess Max Academy has locations on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and in the West Village. It offers camps, events, online lessons, private tutoring, and more

10. At Home or a Friend’s Place

Receiving Story Time Chess as a gift helped launch my son into the world of chess. The character cutouts that attach to the chess pieces and the storybook that comes with the game helped him to quickly grasp the types of pieces and their moves.

Whether you use Story Time Chess or a basic chess set, playing at home is one of the best ways for kids to learn and grow. Nothing beats playing against an aunt, uncle or grandparent or inviting friends for a board game party.

Disclosure: We may earn a small commission if you click through our link and make a purchase. This revenue helps us maintain this site, so thank you for supporting us.