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 (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.

CCLA's Open Correspondence Chess Championship for players rated 1600 & over. This event, in various formats, has been played in CCLA every year since 1933! 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 Grand National. Entry fee: $6 for Round 1 and $ 10 for Round 2. 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 2000.

To see the list of past Grand National Champions, click on HERE.

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, trophy and a place in the finals of the U.S. Correspondence Chess Championship, now a USPCF event. Other entrants are assigned by rating into seven or nine-player Leadership sections and play one game with each opponent. Section prizes are $15 for 1st and $10 for 2nd. Entry fee is $8 per section; deadline for entry is September 15th. 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.

To see the list of past CCLA Club Champions, click on HERE.

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 four rating groups: Masters/Expert, A, B and C & under. 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.

To see the list of past Class Champions, click on HERE.

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 ten 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. There are 18 teams competing in 3 divisions in Team Championship XV (2007 - 2009).

To view a brief history of this biennial event and list of past Divisional Team Champions, click on HERE.

Entrants will be lined-up according to rating. The top section will be the Championship section; sections two, three etc. will be the Women's Tournament. The Championship section will never be more than nine players and may be smaller; if there are at least six players there will be only one game per opponent. Any reserve section(s) for lower-rated players will have between four and seven players involving five to eight games. Entry deadline (postmark) is July 1st of even-numbered years. Entry fee is $ 8.00. Prizes for Championship section: 1st $14 plus certificate, 2nd $ 10. Upset prize if there are sufficient entries. Since this event was begun in 1948, champions have included Dorothy Muir, Vivian Schmucker and Dr. Christine Rosenfield, America's first ICCF International Lady Master.

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. Entry fee: $6 for Round 1 and $ 10 for Round 2. 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.

2 games against the opponent of your choice; entry fee is $3 for each player. 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.