LA Chess Social: 10 Year Anniversary Party

The Los Angeles Chess Social TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY September 26th, 2026 None of us can believe that we made it this far! Stronger than ever, we simply must celebrate a decade of lively chess community! Hundreds of events, dozens of venues, scores of live music acts, thousands of friends (leading to four marriages + three kids), and an uncountable amount of chess games later, we have no intention of stopping! Whether you are a loyal regular, a new face, or an occasional attendee--- you simply MUST join us for this massive & creative chess event! We rented out a huge space, which will house endless chess matches, as well as everything fun we could think of! Many of the activities and experiences will be a surprise, (of course optional), so you are going to have to attend if you'd like to see! That said, we will guarantee a few things. There will be a huge area for social chess, separate rooms for our best live music, the visual and performing arts, and chess challenges! There will be a dedicated area for chess teaching, if you want to bring a friend that wants to learn! While it may seem like an odd venue choice, you will not be unimpressed! We needed lots of space and multiple rooms/three floors for our possible (optional) blitz tournament and simultaneous exhibitions! The space is entirely ours, and we will fill it with chess, art, and fun! And it is open to everyone! We are proud to be working with the many social chess clubs of Los Angeles! We do believe, with eighteen social chess clubs working together, that our city is the 1 social chess destination in the world! We will be collaborating on this event with all of the social chess clubs, with many bringing their own fun surprises! Chess Activities: -Casual&Competitive social chess in all six rooms -Thirty person simul with Grandmaster Arman Mikaelyan (optional/registration required) -Chess Theory Lecture by International Master Levon Altounian (in separate room) -Puzzle Table, hosted by the DTLA Chess Club -King of the Hill Challenge hosted by the Chess Maidens -Chess Education Table hosted by Long Beach Chess Club Larcy Other Fun Things! Live Music Performances 8:00-8:30 Jay the Owl 8:30-9:00 Disco Poindexter 9:00-10:45 Daydream Time Machine 10:45-11:30 2Smooth 11:30-12:30 Flannery Clark and Company Art Installations by: Alz Video Liquid Fidelity Harry Foster Chess Flower Kit Barnes Fuzzy Changa Best Beard/Mustache Competition This is a secret-judge competition, hosted by The LA Beards (everyone is automatically enrolled and the judge will remain unknown until the winner is announced at 10:30pm) Chess Tattoo Booth Internationally recognized artist Cha Cha will be offering small chess tattoos, if anyone is interested XD Food & Beverages -Pizza Provided by The South Pasadena D.U.D.E.S. (Dads Uniting Dads in Education and Service) & Tomato Pie -Beer Provided by our sponsor The Brews Brothers (who also host the NoHo Chess Social) -More Beer Provided by our sponsor SHAMS -Chess Themed Cocktails Provided by That BoozDude -Popcorn Provided by The Highland Park Chess Club -Cotton Candy Provided by The LA Beards Event Details LA Chess Social 10-Year Anniversary Saturday, September 26, 2026 South Pasadena Freemason Lodge 1126 Fair Oaks Ave. South Pasadena, CA 91030 Main Event: 8:00 p.m. – Midnight Chess Lecture with International Master Levon Altounian: 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Grandmaster Arman Mikaelyan Simultaneous Exhibition: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Free parking 21+ $20 suggested donation All profits will be donated to the LA Food Bank There will be more information to come, as well as a poll to determine which exhibitions have the most interest! Thank you all for making this such a fun community! Stay Tuned, & Hope to see you there!!