About
The Memphis Chess Club is the 2nd oldest chess club in the United States. It's very rare local chess clubs get brick-and-mortar homes. Not only does it host weekly tournaments and lessons, and houses a miniature chess museum, but it acts as a community third space, coffeeshop, cafe, and pub. It's also housed in the historic Toof Printing Press building downtown.
Chess-wise, it won the United States Chess Federation Chess Club of the Year Award in 2022 among 300+ other chess clubs across the United States. It has also hosted the Tennessee State Championship in a dedicated tournament hall twice.
It hosts several MidSouth chess historical pieces, like Memphis Chess Club member buttons, championship trophies of the very early 1900s, photos of events, Tennessee Chess Hall of Fame plaques, efffectively being a miniature museum of MidSouth Chess History. They host lessons and tournaments for members and nonmembers in the dedicated tournament hall, and the chess club live-streams tournaments as well. They have a massive collection of chess books for their chess library.
In addition to chess, the cafe serves the public as a third space. There are many board games in addition to chess, and several students and remote workers come here to study or work. There's also an upright piano in tune everyone is welcome top play and there's a few regular players. The cafe also has great locally roasted coffee, great food, wide beer menu, and very classic cocktails.
The sales to the general public go to keep the chess club having a dedicated brick-and-mortar home. Many of the staff members are also members of the chess club and participate in the tournaments and activities.
Architecturally the Toof Building remains intact since 1913, with several original floors and columns, original tiling, lofty 16 foot ceiling, etc.. The tables are inlaid with chess boards; every table has a chess board. It's also right across the stree from the historical gothic Sterrick Building also known as the "Queen of the South". The bathrooms are also really cool.
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Know Before You Go
For non members there's a $5 setup fee for board games even if you bring your own, but they also supply the chess and other games for the $5. And it's not per person nor per hour. It's just $5 even if you leave and go back in on the same day. Because it's downtown Memphis, street parking is free on Sundays and after 6pm other days. Otherwise it's $1.50 per hour, but they can also help you find some sneaky free parking. There's also a parking garage next door but it's more expensive.
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Published
December 17, 2025
