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About

Play More Chess Academy

Play More Chess Academy was founded in 2011 to promote the game of chess and provide chess instruction to students of all ages. We are based in Hamden, Connecticut but we have students who live around the world. Students can choose either in-person or online chess instruction.

Our programs offer students from kindergarten through adult a chance to learn chess and improve their chess skills. We teach all ability levels, from beginners to advanced players. Since 2011, we have offered after-school and in-school enrichment chess programs at schools in New Haven County.

Over 11,000 children and adults have participated in classes, private lessons and chess events offered by Play More Chess Academy since it was founded. As of 2023, PMCA has over 90 enrolled students taking classes and lessons each week. The Hamden Chess Club has 130 club members who participate in adult casual play, USCF tournaments and weekly online tournaments.

Play More Chess Academy was founded by Rod Groff, a USCF Certified Chess Coach and Certified Club Tournament Director with the United States Chess Federation.


PMCA Affiliated Coaches/Instructors

Rod Groff,
PMCA Founder, Lead Instructor

 

Lead instructor for Beginner & Intermediate Kids Classes and Adult Beginning Chess and Chess Tactics Classes (In-Person)

 

Yassamin Ehsani,
National Master
Currently enrolled University of Chicago student with 3+ years of chess coaching experience is currently accepting new lessons students for online lessons only
Jordan Groff,
National Master
2022 grad of Connecticut College with 4+ years of chess coaching experience is currently accepting new lessons students for either in-person lessons at PMCA or online lessons. Instructor for two new Adult classes offered in Fall 2023: Chess Openings-King Pawn; and Chess Openings-Queen Pawn (In-Person) See Lesson Schedule Availability


Hamden Chess Club

Hamden Chess Club is an official affiliate of US Chess. The club has a permanent home at Play More Chess Academy and meets weekly for casual play. Tournaments and special events for kids and adults are held each month. In addition to scheduled events, HCC members can meet up with friends and play chess during open hours.


Hours:

Day of Week

Hours*

Mon
2:00PM - 8:30PM
Tue
12:00PM - 6:30PM
Wed

12:00PM - 6:30PM, plus evening adult classes as scheduled

Thu
2:00PM - 8:30PM
Fri-Sun
By Appointment Only and Scheduled Tournaments/Events

*Store Hours-if coming to purchase an item, please try to come outside of class times (i.e. come either before 4PM or after 6:15PM)

*Please confirm store hours or item availability by calling 203-680-8456 or emailing: info@PlayMoreChess.com.

*Current schedule of available times for individual lessons is on the Lessons page.


Holiday Schedule/Closures as noted

-Jan 1, 2024 New Year's Day
-Jan 15, 2024 Martin Luther King Day
(no classes or store hours but OPEN for HCC MLK Day January Action Quads Tournament @ 6:30PM - Advance Registration required)
-Feb 19, 2024 President's Day
(no classes or store hours but OPEN for HCC Presidents Day February Action Quads Tournament @ 6:30PM - Advance Registration required)
-May 27, 2024 Memorial Day
-Jul 4, 2024 Independence Day
-Sep 2, 2024 Labor Day
-Oct 14, 2024 Indigenous Peoples' Day
-Nov 28, 2024 Thanksgiving
-Dec 23-31, 2024 Winter Break

Weather Closures announced on WTNH Channel 8 Storm Closings and PlayMoreChess.com


Location
Play More Chess Academy
Home of the Hamden Chess Club
1227 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517

Map/Directions

Parking


Email

info@PlayMoreChess.com


Local Area Establishments (Food, Coffee Shops, Bookstores)
-Books and Co (adjacent to PMCA)
-Legal Grounds Coffee Shop (adjacent to PMCA)
-Whitneyville Food Store (across the street)
-The Playwright (restaurant and Irish pub - across the street)
-The Soup Girl (soup) and Scoop Girl (ice cream; across the street)
-Paul and Eddy's Pizza (1 mile North)
-Cumin India (restaurant - 1.9 miles North)
-Panera (restaurant - 2.1 miles Northwest)
-Starbucks coffee (2.1 miles Northwest)
-Hamden's Miller (Main) Library (2.9 miles North)

-Barnes & Noble, Target, etc (4.5 miles Northeast)

Space Rental for Private Events
Facility: Our facility (1928 square feet) is available for rent for parties and events involving chess, table tennis and foosball. Eight tournament-quality chess sets and clocks, Stiga table tennis equipment and a Tornado foosball table are available for your group. Six tables and plenty of chairs are available for serving food and eating. A kitchen with refrigerator, microwave other appliances are available for your use.

You may bring any food or drink you like, play music from your playlist through the built-in sound system. Parking on the premises with additional public/street parking available.

For Further Information or to Request a Party Date:
Email: info@PlayMoreChess.com or call 203-680-8456.



Gift Certificates for Chess Players
Please Choose Amount of Gift Certificate ($25 | $50 | $100 | $250):
Recipient Name:
Message to Recipient:


Note: Once your gift certificate payment is received you will receive an attractive 8.5" x 11" gift certificate with Recipient Name, Message, Amount, Date (See Sample). A copy of the certificate will be kept on file at the studio until the amount of the gift certificate is spent. Gift certificate must be used within 18 months of the date of purchase.

Chess Store
We have over 200 chess books for kids and adults, chess sets, clocks, gifts and supplies. A limited number of souvenir coffee mugs available for the chess player in your home.

News Archive:

  • 2023-01-07 Kushagra Bhargava (former PMCA classes student) is CT State Champion (Elementary K-5 Section) at 2023 Connecticut Scholastic Championships
  • 2022-12-31, Open House with Casual Play Chess, Cookies and Hot Chocolate. Over 50 chess players of all ages attended.
  • 2022-09-10, GM Alex Fishbein came to Play More Chess Academy and Hamden Chess Club, in partnership with the CT State Chess Association, and gave a lecture and simultaneous exhibition Flyer (PDF)




GM Alex Fishbein at 2020 National Invitationals, where he won the Senior title. (photo courtesy of US Chess)


Newsletter

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Email: info@PlayMoreChess.com | Phone: 203.680.8456 | Hamden, CT