Mechanics' Institute Chess Club

The Mechanics ' Institute Chess Club in San Francisco is the oldest existing chess club in the United States.

The club was founded in 1855 at a time when San Francisco was still considered part of the Wild West. Only seven years earlier the California Gold Rush had initiated the growth of the city.

The Mechanics ' Institute involved since the beginning of a library and the " Chess Room" in the Post Street, No. 57 Worldwide there are a number of other Mechanics Institutes, particularly in Australia. Originally, these devices were designed as libraries and educational establishments for members of the working class. The institution in San Francisco was also involved in the preparatory phase of the establishment of the University Berkeley.

The first world-class player, who visited the chess club was, Johannes Zukertort, who spent nearly a month in July 1884 in the city. Already in the years 1851 and 1852 the famous master Pierre Saint -Amant had stopped as French consul in San Francisco. Apparently he was not more involved in the founding of the club.

To this day, many prominent master games played in the traditional club or gave simultaneous exhibitions. Among them were several chess champion, starting with Emanuel Lasker, José Raúl Capablanca and.

Head of the Chess Room is currently the International Master John W. Donaldson. In the club rooms also meet the players of the San Francisco Mechanics to their internet team struggles in the U.S. Chess League ( founded in 2005 ) to play. This only existing national chess league in the United States was won in 2006 by the Mechanics.