My two favorite chess tournaments

Chess tournaments are about chess, of course, but they’re also about people.

I’m lucky enough to get to go to a lot of chess touranments every year. Big ones, small ones, all different time controls. The ones that create the fondest memories are not just the ones where I get my greatest victories; they’re also the ones where I make personal connections and enjoy my time with other people.

There are two tournaments that get a metaphorical circle on my digital calendar: US Amateur Team East in northern New Jersey, which happened last month, and ALTO in Charlotte, which happens next month.

US Amateur Team East

US Amateur Team East doesn’t have consistent branding. It’s called “World Amateur Team And US Team East 2024” on its website, which made one teammate of mine think it was two tournaments, which it’s not. But marketing issues have not hampered its popularity; the event sold out this year, registering a whopping 330 teams of four players each, plus alternates.

The ballroom at the Parsippany Hilton before the start of a round

It’s been happening every February since 1971 and has been at the huge Hilton in Parsippany, New Jersey, at least since the first time I attended, in 1997. Your team of four is paired against other teams of four, for six rounds over three days.

The team format is rare in US tournaments, but I wish it were more common. The experience of having your fate tied to the outcome of your teammates’ games adds an emotional angle that you don’t get in most tournaments. And the feeling of playing with your teammates occasionally watching and silently rooting for you can’t be beat.

This picture of our team was taken by my 2200-rated opponent right before he crushed me.

The tournament offers generous amounts of time between rounds, which is good for feeling refreshed, and also for meals and other time with your teammates (I highly recommend being on a team with people you like). The local Chipotle and Panera are overrun with chess players all weekend long.

The tournament has one big open section, which means your six opponents will likely have a wide range of ratings. I don’t want this at every tournament I go to (I got beaten by a kid 800 points lower rated than me in the 2023 tournament), but it’s fine once in a while.

ALTO

I like kids. I really do. But there’s something to be said for a chess tournament where they’re not allowed.

ALTO stands for At Least Twenty-One and is open only to adults 21 and over. The tournament hasn’t established a regular spot on the calendar, but it happened twice in 2023, and the next one is April 19 to 21, 2024. If you’re old enough, you can register here.

Photo by Daniel Schipper for Charlotte Chess Center

It’s in Charlotte, North Carolina and run by the Charlotte Chess Center. Like all of their tournaments, it’s a superbly professional operation where the equipment is provided, the rounds always start on time, and the website really works.

The biggest difference between the ALTO experience and that of a typical tournament is the vibe of the space outside the playing hall. The hotel lobby is quiet. You don’t realize the difference the parents and siblings of the young players make until they’re gone.

At the bar is the biggest and best chess party there is, where you can hang out with other adult players and also chess celebrities - in previous years Daniel Naroditsky, Ben Finegold, Dina Belenkaya, James Canty and Ben Johnson have been in attendance.

The hotel bar at ALTO. Photo by Daniel Schipper for Charlotte Chess Center.

ALTO is about one tenth the size of USATE, and since I go to every one, I feel like I know everyone. I get paired against my friends in the tournament and then go to meals with my friends at Whole Foods or Jimmy John’s across the street after the round.

I’d love to hear about other chess tournaments that offer their own unique experiences. Leave a comment!