The Charlottesville Chess Club is dedicated to promoting the royal game of chess in the central Virginia area by hosting casual and tournament chess events that are open to the entire community regardless of skill level or experience.
Charlottesville Chess Club has been around since the mid 1980's. The club first met at the Thomas Jefferson Universalist Church, then at Airport Tire, and has now met at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church for over thirty years now. Our members have included State Champions, University professors and every day people. In 2024 the Charlottesville Chess Club became a 501(c)(3) organization.
President: Remus Whitt
Remus learned how to play chess at the age of 10 and has been fascinated with the game ever since. He has been involved with the Charlottesville Chess Club since 2013.
Vice President: Joaquin Litzenberger
Joaquin learned how to play chess when he was a child in school, and at age 9, he began competing in Buenos Aires’s scholastic chess tournaments and met former Chess World Champion Anatoly Karpov. Joaquin is an accomplished tournament player and favors a strategic style of play. His specialty is the final phase of the game -the endgame- and Karpov continues to be one of his favorite players. Joaquin coaches chess at Mountaintop Montessori (K-8) and Renaissance School (grade 9-12) and looks forward to becoming more involved in playing, organizing, and coaching.
Board Member: Tripp Southerland
Tripp is the Charlottesville Chess Club's chief of atmosphere. He learned how to play the game at age 35, started playing in regional tournaments regularly a year later and has achieved a peak USCF rating of 1661. His best accomplishment to date is tying for first place (third on tie breaks) at the 2024 Virginia State Championships in the amateur section (U1800).
Board Member: Brian Jenkins
Brian has played chess since elementary school and is currently rated around 1500 USCF.
He loves attacking and favors a tactical style of play.
Board Member: Luke Campopiano
Luke has played chess since second grade and is rated around 1900 USCF. His favorite chess opening is the Philidor Defence and his favorite chess player is José Raúl Capablanca. He lives in Charlottesville with his wife and cat.
Board Member: Daniel Wurtzer