Every chess night in Bradenton, on the record
One photo, the numbers and a line from every night of Bradenton's chess club, at Kava Social. Newest first.
Rolling centers under the tiki
Rain outside, pawn centers on the move under the tiki. Spirits high, three days after Tampa.
Twenty-two on the patio
Less than a day after Tampa, 22 players packed the patio. Our biggest Sunday in months.
Battle for the Bay: Tampa takes round one
Tampa took the match. We took a queen, a rookie's section and a National Master's scalp. Round two is on our patio.
Last reps before the Bay
Last practice before Tampa. Heads down, good questions, and two new players at the top table. We're ready.
The battle is on: Kava Social vs Orlando
Thirteen boards, one move a day, and bragging rights on the line. Win or lose, we do it together.
The center is the soul of the opening
Twelve studious players arrived thirsty for knowledge.
Eighteen players, one perfect score
A cool night, full tables, and four underdogs walked off with a result.
Rapid fire, then a Taimanov
Three hours: puzzles against the clock, then both sides of a Taimanov.
Six puzzles, and Maddie took the hardest
Six puzzles on the table, scored, and the hardest one fell to Maddie.
Rain or shine under the tiki
It poured, so we moved under the tiki and kept playing.
Tactics night before Tampa
Three hours of tactics, and Tampa is sixteen days out.
Study night with Karpov
We put the books away and the boards came alive.
Season 10 opens
This is going to be a competitive season. Upsets already, and it's night one.
The nights carry on every Sunday and Tuesday at eight.
About the club
Kava Social Chess Club is a chess club in Bradenton, Florida, meeting Sundays and Tuesdays from 8PM to midnight on the back patio at Kava Social Club, 540 13th St W in downtown Bradenton. It is the most active chess club in Manatee County and half an hour from Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto and Ellenton. Every level plays here: beginners, casual players, adults who have not played since school, and US Chess rated tournament players. An in-house chess league every other Sunday, study night on Tuesdays, US Chess rated tournaments a few times a year. 21+, no dues, alcohol-free, in English and Spanish. Established 2021, 593 club nights on record.
If you are looking for where to play chess in Bradenton, or a chess club near you on Florida's Gulf Coast, this is your first night.