Things have changed dramatically.
We recently started playing casually over-the-board at the Powder Keg in Houston on 5/31/2020. Pictures and info can be found on this page.
We tentatively plan to gather there for casual play for the near foreseeable future each Sunday afternoon around 4-7pm.
The entire chess public is welcome. You do not have to be a Chess Refinery member to join us at the Powder Keg.
Looking for other chess players to play casually over-the-board?
There are several casual groups all over houston - check out these links here:
http://www.meetup.com/Houston-Chess/about/
http://www.cypresschess.com/p/map.html?m=1
For the below spots, you will need to call the location or just visit on the day of and see if you run into players there - I do not have phone numbers or contact names for all of these locations - it's just a place where we know people used to and likely currently gather in a group to play.
Mondays: heard of some players meeting off and on at the Phoenix Bar (https://www.yooying.com/chessaholics)
Tuesdays: possibly at Notsuoh or at Agora which i think is organized by this person: https://www.instagram.com/hernanroberty/
Wednesdays: older senior group at Cafe Express off of West Gray; also another group at Slowpokes bar near Heights area (google Royal Rooks)
Thursdays: Sheraton hotel bar off of clay and Beltway 8 (https://www.meetup.com/Houston-Chess/)
Fridays: Brewingz off 59 near sharpstown/gessner also the Bellaire chess group at Starbucks near Stella Link
**** due to COVID, Brewingz is unable to host the chess group there at this time (6/2/2020)
Saturdays: Der Springers Chess, contact John Masters, 713-397-0672 Denny's corner of TC Jester and FM 2920, 7pm - whenever
Sundays: 3pm -7pm, Beck's restaurant, Grogans Mill Shopping center, Woodlands TX, contact John Masters 713-397-0672
Spring TX, google for Der Springers Chess (website is under reconstruction)
Woodlands, TX http://smcchessclub.yolasite.com/
http://www.meetup.com/Houston-Chess/about/
http://www.cypresschess.com/p/map.html?m=1
For the below spots, you will need to call the location or just visit on the day of and see if you run into players there - I do not have phone numbers or contact names for all of these locations - it's just a place where we know people used to and likely currently gather in a group to play.
Mondays: heard of some players meeting off and on at the Phoenix Bar (https://www.yooying.com/chessaholics)
Tuesdays: possibly at Notsuoh or at Agora which i think is organized by this person: https://www.instagram.com/hernanroberty/
Wednesdays: older senior group at Cafe Express off of West Gray; also another group at Slowpokes bar near Heights area (google Royal Rooks)
Thursdays: Sheraton hotel bar off of clay and Beltway 8 (https://www.meetup.com/Houston-Chess/)
Fridays: Brewingz off 59 near sharpstown/gessner also the Bellaire chess group at Starbucks near Stella Link
**** due to COVID, Brewingz is unable to host the chess group there at this time (6/2/2020)
Saturdays: Der Springers Chess, contact John Masters, 713-397-0672 Denny's corner of TC Jester and FM 2920, 7pm - whenever
Sundays: 3pm -7pm, Beck's restaurant, Grogans Mill Shopping center, Woodlands TX, contact John Masters 713-397-0672
Spring TX, google for Der Springers Chess (website is under reconstruction)
Woodlands, TX http://smcchessclub.yolasite.com/
Strongest Social Chess Group in Houston
This is a blitz group (5 min per person speed chess) that hangs out usually every Sunday afternoon around 430pm -730pm at the Starbucks on 10001 Westheimer Rd 77042. This is without a doubt the strongest speed chess group there is in Houston. Please do not call Starbucks to see if there are players there. Just show up. Bring a board and clock. And set up on the long wooden table. They welcome us, but rest assured they don't want to be bothered by phone calls just to see if some players are there. Sometimes you will find us hanging out at Marini's Empanadas in their outdoor patio area instead of Starbucks.
Occasionally players are there on Saturday afternoons and Friday evenings as well! But Sunday is the best day to go. If you don't see someone there, be patient, set up a board and pieces and wait. =) We drift in and out of that Starbucks frequently.
Occasionally players are there on Saturday afternoons and Friday evenings as well! But Sunday is the best day to go. If you don't see someone there, be patient, set up a board and pieces and wait. =) We drift in and out of that Starbucks frequently.
*****Unfortunately Starbucks at 10001 Westheimer is now closed permanently. There are still a few players who gather occasionally at Marini's Empanadas which is next door. You will need to just drop in and see if they are there. They do not have a regular set schedule but will hang out usually on the weekends.
