Capital Checkers

02/14/2026

♟️ NEW VENUE, NEW VICTORIES! 🏆

The King is not in check—he’s just moved to a new square! We are so excited to announce the location of our new club space.

WE REOPEN 2/17/26 at 6p!!!

📍 Where we at?
We are now meeting at the Washington Family Church on 16th Street & Columbia.

⏱️Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
6p til 11p

🚩 How to find the entrance:
Don’t worry about memorizing a street number. Just look for the “Capital Checkers & Chess” sign hanging on Columbia Road. Once you see the sign, you’ve found the right place. Follow it in!

We can’t wait to shuffle the pieces and see everyone’s smiling faces again. Tag your favorite chess buddy below and let them know we’re back in business! 👇

11/26/2025

Calling all Chess Enthusiasts!!

Our next tournament!!
Sponsored by

Capital Checkers & Chess and Live Chess are hosting a tournament December 14th at 12:00 PM, We want to invite you all to come through.

All skill levels are welcome —Whether you’re a seasoned player or just enjoy a casual match, this event is open to all skill levels. We’ll have prizes for the top players + bragging rights!

Event Details:
• Date: Sunday, December 14
• Time: 12:00 PM
• Format: 4 Rounds (G/25 minutes + 5 second inclement)
• Location: Festival Center. 1640 Columbia Rd, Washington, DC
• Entry Fee: $25

Prizes:

1st Place - $175

2nd Place - $125

Top Under 1600 - $75

Top Under 1200 - $55

Kid friendly!

11/03/2025

Ready to test your strategy? ♟️
Capital Checkers and Chess, Live Chess, and the DC Chess Association are hosting the Sunday Swiss this November!

This is your chance to compete, learn, and connect with the vibrant DC chess community. We have a great prize pool and a fast-paced format perfect for all US Chess-rated players.

🏆 Prize Fund:

· 1st Place: $175
· 2nd Place: $125
· Top U1600: $75
· Top U1200: $55

📍 Event Details:
· Date: Sunday, November 9th
· Location: Festival Center (2nd Floor), 1640 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC
· Format: 4-Round Swiss in One Section
· Time Control: G/25, +5 Second Increment
· First Round: 12:30 PM Sharp!
· Entry Fee: $35
· Rating: US Chess Rated

🔑 Key Info:
· GMs & IMs: Please email [email protected] for complimentary entry.
· Organized by Capital Checkers & Chess and Live Chess.

A huge thank you to our sponsor, the DC Chess Association! Their mission is to promote chess in the Washington, DC area through classes, tournaments, and events for players of all abilities, fostering a love of the game and its educational and social benefits.

Don’t miss out on the action! Spots are limited. Tap the link in our bio to register today!

07/05/2025

Think checkers is simple? AMERICAN POOL CHECKERS is not your kindergarten game:
✅ Played on a game board of 64 squares, 8 rows by 8 columns, square in shape and uses two colors of squares, one light and one dark, in a checkered pattern. Same as a chessboard.
✅ Forced captures & king mobility create explosive tactics
✅ Creates, will teach, and demand advanced-level foresight + spatial mastery.

Proudly, our checkers club is a long standing member of the American Pool Checkers Association, a national organization 🤝

Like checkers and chess, our club is PHILOSOPHY IN MOTION:
♟️ Spiritual resilience in every play
♟️ Community tables where DC’s best minds collide
♟️ Vibrant fellowship spirit

OUR HEART: THE CHESS CLUB EXPERIENCE 👇
More than moves—we build community. Come hang! Dive into free intergenerational sessions where elders teach youth and vice versa, newcomers learn from skilled players, and laughter and stories echoes over the boards. All genders, backgrounds, and skill levels unite here. Whether you’re mastering your first checkmate or debating endgame philosophy, you’ll find passionate players, comradeship, and strengthening gameplay. Because brilliance thrives when everyone’s welcome.

Each night we play is unique and filled with an infinite amount of possibilities just like chess. We love our club (!); we are a comfortable and welcoming bunch.

Come play in one of Sunday tournaments with the brilliant
Unrated and USCF rated play (see prior post for info; registration link in bio); all ages!

Coffeehouse checkers and chess play: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 6pm

We have boards, pieces, and clocks.

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06/19/2025

What a big honor for Capital Checkers & Chess Club to be part of Watkins Regional Park‘s Juneteenth celebration last Saturday! Sharing the day with the PG County community meant a lot to all our members. Thanks so much for having us!

Juneteenth – represents the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the United States, specifically commemorating June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for over 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas. It’s a powerful day celebrating freedom and resilience.

We recognize how deeply these values connect to the games we play. For generations in Black communities, Checkers and Chess have been much more than games, they’ve been cultural staples, tools for building and keeping a strong community, avenues of creating safe spaces for connections and intellect, and symbols of brilliance.

The legacy of African American top skilled checkers players and chess masters is truly inspiring.

Check out Jessica Hyatt &
Frank Street Jr., just two of the many black chess players to make a big difference on the board of life. There’s Calvin “Iron Claw” Monroe and Freddie “The Hawk” Owens, two of the best American Pool Checkers Players this world has ever seen.

Our club is humbled to play games with such deep cultural meaning. Playing Checkers and Chess connects us to this powerful history of strategy and perseverance. It reminds us these games carry real weight and wisdom.

Being part of Juneteenth – a day celebrating freedom’s triumph and the fight for justice – was a meaningful experience. It was a chance to learn, reflect, and honor this vital history with our neighbors.

Big thanks again to Watkins Square Park and everyone involved! We’re committed to fostering a club space where these games are enjoyed and respected.
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✊🏿❤️🖤💚

03/17/2025

https://gofund.me/a1b35838

Are you a property owner with a vacant commercial space that’s just sitting around? We’re a passionate and growing chess/checkers club looking for a cozy, low-cost spot to call home! After four...

03/04/2025

Kayla Hewitt from WAMU recently did a story on Capital Checkers snd Chess!!

Thank you, Kayla, for getting to know us, doing this story, and being a wonderful storyteller of Washington DC ‘s population via sharing true stories of our communities through your lens; how you capture the wonders that make DC the unique universe it is quite perfect.

We are grateful.

4 years after finding a new home in Adams Morgan, Capital Checkers and Chess is, once again, looking for a clubhouse.

03/03/2025

We’re thrilled to announce that some of our amazing club members were recently interviewed by WAMU! 🎙️ It was a fantastic opportunity to share our passion for these classic games and highlight the wonderful community we’ve built together and speak of the significance of third spaces especially within Washington DC.

We’re incredibly grateful to the WAMU team (thank you, ) for this opportunity and to our members for their enthusiasm and dedication! 🙌❤️

Be sure to tune in and catch our segment—let’s show the world the joy of chess and checkers and the importance of providing safe space for community to gather/connect in.

Tune in at 5:44p and 7:44p tonight!
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02/27/2025

Update: A Heartfelt Thank You!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who came out to support the Capital Checkers and Chess Club farewell fundraiser party! Your presence and contributions made the event truly special, and we are incredibly thankful for your generosity and enthusiasm.

As we reflect on our time together, we are reminded of the vital role that third spaces, like our club, play in fostering community connections in Washington, D.C. These spaces provide a welcoming environment where individuals from all walks of life can gather, share ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations. They are essential for building relationships, nurturing creativity, and cultivating a sense of belonging.

Your support not only helps us celebrate our journey but also reinforces the importance of keeping these community hubs alive. Together, we can continue to promote inclusivity and camaraderie through games of strategy and fun.

Thank you once again for being a part of our story. Let’s keep the spirit of community alive!

With heartfelt appreciation,
Kim Crystal
Capital Checkers and Chess Club

Capital Checkers & Chess is on the move! After four years in Adams Morgan, our curren… Jonah Gold needs your support for Help Capital Checkers Find a New Home

02/19/2025

https://gofund.me/466cd410

We love our checkers and chess players; we thank you for your support!!

02/18/2025

02/18/2025

https://gofund.me/bb3565d6