History & Culture

Chess at the Library

Several rows of tables in the Atrium at Central Library with multiple people of all ages seated playing chess.

04/20/25

Day of Chess 2026 Free Summer Chess Tournament

On Saturday, July 25, 2026 Central Library will host free rated and unrated tournaments for chess players of all skill levels and ages. With rated and unrated tournaments, open and scholastic sections, there is a spot for everyone. Players new to chess tournaments, or those unaffiliated with the United States Chess Federation (USCF), can play in our unrated open tournament. Additionally, we offer one of the only free-to-play rated tournaments in Indiana, in partnership with Summit Chess Club, with an open section and a scholastic section.

Time control is 25 minutes with a 5 second bonus per move (G/25+5) with 4 Swiss-style rounds (participants play all 4 rounds). Plan for a full day with tournament play scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Finalists in the rated and unrated open tournaments receive Books & Rooks apparel/gear. Finalists in the rated scholastic tournament receive a trophy. Sections based on registration numbers. Registration is required. Register for the Day of Chess.

Books & Rooks Chess Club Every Monday

Books & Rooks Chess Club at Central Library offers free play every Monday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Most Monday nights feature an unrated Blitz tournament with 4 Swiss style double rounds (8 games total) with a time control of 5 minutes. This is a great way for beginners to play in their first tournament or for experienced competitors to test themselves against several regularly attending expert and advanced level players. Winner of the Monday Night Blitz Tournament is awarded a Books & Rooks t-shirt (additional prizes available for past winners who already have one of our t-shirts). Casual play is also available. Chess sets and clocks provided. See our Books & Rooks Chess Club schedule.

Several rows of tables in the Atrium at Central Library with multiple people of all ages seated playing chess. A small group of adults and children are also seated on the floor playing chess.

More Upcoming Chess Programs

Event: Family Game Night at Central Library
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 12, 5:30pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Kids, teens, and families are invited to stop by the Kid Central on the 3rd floor for Family Game Night! We have lots of board, card, and dice games to explore, along with giant-sized chess, checkers, Jenga, and Connect 4.
No Registration Required.

Event: Chess Club at College Avenue
Date & Time: Saturday, May 16, 2:00pm
Location: College Avenue Branch
Description: Join us on Saturday afternoons to match wits and skill with this Chess Club, meeting for over 40 years at College Avenue Branch Library! All ages and skill levels are welcome. This group meets in the Fish Room.
No Registration Required.

Event: Books & Rooks Chess Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 18, 5:30pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Casual play every Monday evening 5:30-8 p.m. in the Atrium of Central Library. Free Unrated Blitz Tournament from 6-8 p.m. Chess sets and clocks provided. All ages welcome. All skill levels welcome.
No Registration Required.

Chess e-Books, e-Magazines, & Audiobooks

e-Book and audiobook covers for Forbidden City by James Ponti, Always, Clementine, by Carlie Sorosiak, Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley, and Chess for Beginners Magazine.

You can borrow e-books, e-comics, audiobooks, and magazines free with a Library card. If you don’t have an Indianapolis Public Library card yet, find out how to get one at Get a Library Card. If you have never borrowed e-materials before go to e-Books & Streaming Help.

Chess Movies & TV

We have thousands of movies and tv shows for kids, teens, and adults to download or stream instantly with your Library card. We buy streaming licenses from more than one platform, the same way you might subscribe to more than one streaming platform (Netflix, Max, Hulu, Disney+, etc.) at home. One platform does not have everything! Learn about Kanopy, Hoopla, Access Video, and more!

So You Devoured "The Queen’s Gambit" on Netflix…What Now?

The Queen’s Gambit is an American novel by Walter Tevis. It was originally published in 1983. In Fall 2020 Netflix released a 7 episode series adapted from the book and starring Anya Taylor-Joy as the chess prodigy, Beth. This list has a link to the Netflix series and a bibliography of books on chess you can check out with your Library card. Whether you just want to enjoy the specific story of Beth or want to master chess on your own, this list has a bit of all that!

Chess-themed thrillers

For such a stationary game, chess has inspired a surprising number of high-stakes thrillers.

Chess Books for the Beginner or Novice

Books that can improve the playing of those new to chess as well as those familiar with the game, but without formal training.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch, and listen on a PC, tablet, or phone.