Starting a club in Las Vegas NV

Chess Clubs
1

The greater Las Vegas area has over 1.5 million people but only two USCF tournaments per year! How pathetic is that?! The city’s only USCF affiliate, the Clark County chess club, does not run weekend tournaments. This leaves Las Vegas chessplayers no choice but to drive 4+ hours to Los Angeles or Phoenix for weekend tournament play.

There is no reason why the chess scene here has to suck that badly. If anybody is interested in starting a USCF chess club in Vegas, please email me. Not only will we promote the game in Vegas, we can also generate a profit running a tournament! My friend (and fellow chessplayer) owns a fast-food restaurant at Miracle Mile mall and may allow us to use it as a tournament venue for free.

I would love to run monthly G/45 tournaments. Four rounds on a Sunday afternoon. Return 70% of entry fees as prizes. We can make some money! Since the restaurant may be noisy, I envision having a casual playing environment. Nothing serious or stuffy. Players can bring a MP3 player to drown out ambient noise if they are easily distracted.

If you have experience playing tournaments and an entreprenurial drive, let’s talk! I cannot do it on my own. I’ve been a tournament player and USCF member on and off for over a decade. My current rating is 1726.

My email address is mr.rodent@gmail.com

2

Personally, I have started one chess club (at a high school, and helped with another (the
Denton Chess Club). The Denton Chess Club has sponsored, ran, or both, around 22 tournaments
in 2008. This in no way compares to the powerhouse Dallas Chess Club, but it is good for a
3rd year club. That said, here are my thoughts:
1. A consistent low rent venue is needed

2.  At least monthly tournaments need to be run.

3.  The club should have an interest in promoting local scholastics

4.  The club needs a highlighted annual event

4.  New members to the club need to be politely greeted and made to feel at ease.
     Very often this is not done, and they do not return.

     with patience and diligence you will be surprised at how many people will come out
     of the blue to play.

    A club's ability to run tournaments is directly related to TD's time available to 
     run events.  Every club I know is desperate for more tournament directors.  Most of
     us willingly train all interested.  So for those who want more events, my message is
     GET INVOLVED YOURSELF!!!!
3

There are many chess players coming through town all the time. Add me to the club list, as I am in town at least 2 or 3 times a year. Rob Sturgeon callrps@suddenlink.net