New York has a long and colorful history with chess, and today, one of the most active chess organizations in the world, the New York Chess Center, is hosting the New York 'Under 1800' Chess Tournament. The four-round, Swiss-system tournament is open to players rated under 1800, or unrated (must be a U.S. Chess Federation member). You can drop by the World-Famous Marshall Chess Club to watch or play for cash prizes. Registration deadline is August 13, online, where you can also join the USCF. It's not essential to have read Vladimir Nabokov's The Defense, but it may help.