My son will be an incoming freshman. He is an avid chess player. I’m having a hard time finding him any information about chess at UMCP. I see there was some gaming club listed but its Facebook page looks like they are mainly into Magic, not chess. Anyone have any information on chess? Thx.
Don’t know about UMCP but UM Baltimore County has a fantastic chess program. One of the best in country. Cannot be terribly far from each other. Hope this helps.
http://chess.umbc.edu/
UMBC is close to Baltimore and UMDCP is close to Washington. There’s a good bit of distance between them and no good way of getting from one to the other without a car.
Here is an old thread about it
Does your son have a USCF rating? Does he play in tournaments?
I am an incoming freshman and have been playing tournament chess for 9 years now. As far as I am aware, University of Maryland has a chess club, but I am not sure how strong the people there are. I know that a few of my chess friends are attending there and while I am not aware of any titled players who attend the university, I think that there will be some experts and class A players.
Yes, he is rated. Currently in the 1900’s. He has played in MD Chess scholastic tournaments and the UMBC Sweet 16 tournament for the last 2 years and he plays in open tournaments around the DC/Baltimore area and will be at the Potomac Open in 2 weeks. Any chance you will be there? At his freshman orientation he saw the person who won the UMBC Sweet 16 tournament last year - so there is another person who could potentially be playing at UMCP. My son is not a group organizer, so I’m hoping there is something started already or someone else that can pick up the ball and set up the club.
Actually, RybkaShredder…I think YOU might be who he talked to at freshman orientation. 
Am I correct???
Ah yes, that is me. I recognized him, so I stopped to say hello.
Unfortunately, I will not be playing at the Potomac Open since I have to represent Maryland at the Denker Tournament of High School Champions which happens to be at the same time.
I think UMCP already has a chess club, but if not, I don’t think it would be so difficult to set up the club. I know at least a couple more chess players who are either currently attending UMCP or will be freshman for the upcoming school year. While UMCP’s chess may not be as competitive as UMBC’s, I think your son will have enough formidable opposition to keep him challenged.
Small world! Best of luck at the Denker Tournament! If you see my kid on campus and know of any organized chess playing - please fill him in. (I had asked one of the female students who showed us around the dorm if she knew of any chess being played and she said that lots of students had their chess “tablecloths” set out at the Stamp Union and were playing. Had to laugh at her terminology - but it sounds like there might be impromptu chess games. Best of luck this fall at UMCP!