Louisville's home for rated over-the-board chess. Register online and battle for prizes — bughouse, blitz, and cash-prize opens for every age and rating.
Free to play. All ages, all skill levels. Bughouse & Blitz — play chess, win prizes.
The largest total cash prize fund for a bughouse tournament in Kentucky chess history.
More tournaments announced regularly — online entry-fee payment is supported for upcoming cash-prize events.
From your phone to the board in four steps.
Sign up online in under a minute — the Okolona Chess Classic is free to enter.
We email your spot to the Ambassadors so you're on the list.
Arrive by 10:30 AM to check in — first round starts at 11.
Compete in bughouse & blitz for gift cards and Chess Dollars.
The Kentucky Chess Ambassadors bring competitive, rated over-the-board chess to Louisville and beyond — from lightning blitz and wild bughouse to serious cash-prize opens. Whether you're chasing your first trophy or your next title, there's a seat at the board for you.
All ages. All ratings. One community that takes the game seriously and makes it fun.
Get tournaments, results, and one-tap registration on your home screen — like an app, no download needed.
Lock in your spot for the Okolona Chess Classic — it's free to enter.
Chess changes lives. Help us bring the game — and its lessons of patience, focus, and dignity — to people across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
We're collecting chess books to donate to incarcerated individuals across the Commonwealth of Kentucky — giving them a constructive path to grow their minds, build discipline, and find purpose behind the board. Donate a book or contribute funds to send more.
♟ Donate Books / Funds →Your financial gift helps place a dedicated chess coach and instructor at a retirement home or care facility — bringing connection, mental sharpness, and joy to our elders through the timeless game of chess.
♟ Donate to Sponsor a Coach →All donations go through PayPal @Kentuckychess. Every book and every dollar makes a difference — thank you for supporting chess in Kentucky. 🙏
Fall Cash Classic
You'll be taken to a secure Stripe checkout to pay your entry fee and confirm your seat.
Maybe laterPreview note: connect the Kentucky Chess Ambassadors' Stripe account to accept live card payments here.
Kentucky Chess Ambassadors