Postal Tournaments

All CCLA postal tournaments use a time limit of 10 moves in 30 days. All moves must be sent in algebraic notation unless both players agree upon another unequivocal notation such as standard descriptive, ICCF numeric, etc. at the beginning of the game. Players may exchange moves via email in all postal events when both players are agreeable. Note: continuous membership in CCLA is required by our ByLaws, or all games, prizes and advancements will be forfeited.

The annual Leadership dates from 1916. Since 1985, the eleven highest-rated entrants each year are paired and the winner receives the title of CCLA Champion, a $50 first prize and trophy. CCLA Champions are no longer seeded into ICCF's USCCC or NA Invitational. Other entrants are assigned by rating into Leadership sections and play six or eight games. Section prizes are $15 for 1st and $10 for 2nd. Multiple entries are no longer permitted; only one entry per event. Winners of the top Leadership section are no longer "seeded" into the CCLA Championship. Entry fee is $8 per section; deadline for entry is September 15th.

See list of past CCLA Club Champions.

This annual event was originally begun by the legendary "Dean of American Chess" Hermann Helms in 1914 and has retained its current format since the 1920's. Helms, working as chess editor of the Brooklyn Eagle received that letter from Bobby Fisher's mother and the rest, as they say, is history. A two-round, annual event with usually five rating groups: Masters/Experts, A, B, C and D; classes C and D may be combined depending on the number of entries. Each winner of a Round 1 section receives a $ 10.00 prize. Each Rd 1 section winner (and anyone scoring 75% or better) earns a place in the class championship (final round). Finals winners receive $20 and the title of CCLA North American Class Champion. Entry fee is $8 per section; entry deadline is February 15th.

See the list of past NA Class Champions.

The number of divisions, teams and games played per opponent is strictly a function of the entries. Teams are assigned to divisions based on the average team rating of their six players. Each player plays one or two games against opponents on his board (Board 1 plays all other Board 1 players, etc.) Entry fee is $8; deadline for rosters is June 1 in odd-numbered years.

See a brief history of this biennial event and list of past Divisional Team Champions.

CCLA's Open Correspondence Chess Championship for players rated under 1800. Open for entry all year. Format: a Round 1 score of 4-2 qualifies for Round 2. Wins count 2 points in Rd 1 and 6 points in Rd 2. Draws count half as much. Winner is determined by highest point total (best Rd 1 and Rd 2 scores for multiple entrants) in the two rounds. Assignments: Rd 1 sections are 4-player, 2 games per opponent and are issued at the end of each calendar month, entries permitting. Rd 2 sections are 7-player, 1 game per opponent, and are issued as entries permit. Players may enter multiple Rd 1 sections, and receive a Rd 2 section for each Rd 1 qualifying score and payment of the Rd 2 fee. Players may also choose not to enter Rd 2 or may delay their entry into Rd 2.

If there are not sufficient qualifiers to fill another Rd 2 section, qualifying scores will be carried over to another Social Championship. Prizes: Each Rd 1 section has a first prize of $10. Prizes after Rd 2 is completed are based on the number of entries into Rd 2. First prize is $ 2.50 times number of entries, second prize is $ 1.00 times number of entries, and third prize, class prize and upset prize are each 50 cents times number of entries. The class prize is for the highest-scoring player rated under 1600. Entry fee: $6 for Round 1 and $ 10 for Round 2.

2 games against the opponent of your choice. Thematic matches in some openings can be facilitated through a CCLA coordinator (lists appear in the Chess Correspondent frequently.) Note: matches are arranged by the players themselves, then fees are sent in and an official match number is issued. CCLA does not arrange matches and new members cannot "enter" matches like they do other events. Entry fee is $3 for each player.