On Monday evenings, with Iron Maiden songs playing in the background and purple lights shining down on him, 10-year-old Logan can be found defeating some of the strongest chess players in Richmond at GWAR Bar. Logan discovered chess two years ago, and after proving to be too great a competitor for his dad, he needed new challengers. This led him to find RVA Pieces, The Richmond Chess Club, a nonprofit dedicated to providing an environment for casual and competitive chess for everyone in Richmond, regardless of age or skill level.
RVA Pieces’ members have taught Logan tactical and strategic ideas he likely wouldn’t have learned at school or on YouTube. While none of the older club members had much hope of achieving the title of Master or Grandmaster, Logan and other young members of the club are a beacon of hope for our city’s humble chess community.
Logan’s commitment extends beyond playing. He regularly helps out at RVA Pieces’ Free Library Chess Class every Saturday, guiding beginners through the early stages of their chess journeys. Sometimes, he even gives lectures to the ever-growing class. After gaining skills, experience, and confidence through RVA Pieces, Logan began running his own chess club at his elementary school.
RVA Pieces has always had a primary goal: make Richmond one of the premier places to live as a chess player. Whether you prefer a calm, quiet game at the library or in the park, a casual blitz game at a bar or coffee shop, or a serious tournament game, you can find all of that right here in Richmond, no matter your age or skill level.
What started as a Facebook page 10 years ago with weekly meetings at Gallery 5 has blossomed into a nonprofit with a passionate, chess-loving Board of Directors, a packed events calendar, a bustling Discord community of over 500 people, and an ever-expanding pool of players sharing their knowledge and pushing each other to achieve higher levels of gameplay.
RVA Pieces is more excited than ever about what’s to come. Whether that’s offering free chess lectures and workshops at the library, sponsoring young players to travel to tournaments, or hosting tournaments, RVA Pieces is eager to continue serving Richmond’s chess community.
How to Support RVA Pieces
If you’d like to support RVA Pieces, you can attend one of their local meetups, take a lesson from one of their coaches, or volunteer with the club.
You can learn more at their website rvapieces.org and keep up with news and events on Instagram, Facebook, and Discord.
