January 23, 2026: Mechanics' Institute featured in independent film co-directed by Steph Curry
Mechanics’ Institute is mentioned and featured as a filming location in a Sundance-premiering documentary co-directed by Stephen Curry and Ben Proudfoot. The film spotlights Clarence Jones, Martin Luther King Jr.’s speechwriter, through an intimate conversation about civil rights, memory, and choosing purpose over comfort.
October 30, 2025: Mechanics' Institute mentioned in SF Chronicle article on the late GM Daniel Naroditsky
This thoughtful SF Chronicle article mentions Mechanics’ Institute as the club where GM Daniel Naroditsky first launched his chess career, honoring his legacy and mourning his tragic passing.
October 22, 2025: Mechanics' Institute Remembers GM Daniel Naroditsky in interview with ABC 7 San Francisco
Chess Director Alex Robins shares memories of Daniel Naroditsky, the beloved Chess Grandmaster and Bay Area native, in this ABC7 story.
October 20, 2025: Upon the Passing of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky
Mechanics’ Institute sends our condolences to the Naroditsky Family upon the passing of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. The Naroditsky Family holds a special place in our chess community. Daniel played in tournaments, lectured, and was the three-time winner of the Falconer Award at Mechanics’ Institute. Vladmir Naroditsky, Daniel’s father, served as a trustee from 2014-2019. Both Daniel and Vladmir are remembered fondly by our community.
The following article about Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky and his achievements at the age of 17 was published in the 2014 edition of Mechanics’ Institute’s newsletter.
October 12, 2025: Works by Design Tests Prototype with Chess Club
Mechanics' Institute welcomed Riley Kolbow, design engineer and content creator of Works By Design, to our Chess Room. Club members had the unique opportunity to try out Riley’s self-promoting chess piece prototypes on special boards during real games. We were honored to receive a custom-made metal self-promoting pawn from Riley.
September 6, 2025: Movies at Mechanic's featured in SF Chronicle
We are honored to have Tony Bravo of the San Francisco Chronicle as our featured co-host for Movies at Mechanics' screening of Funny Face (1957).
July 28, 2025: Press Release Announcing GM Sam Shankland As Grandmaster-In-Residence
Mechanics' Institute is proud to announce the appointment of Grandmaster Sam Shankland in this press release available to view or download.
July 26, 2025: ChessBase India Visits Mechanics' Chess Club
We were honored to have IM Sagar Shah and WIM elect Amruta Mokal visit and post their visit on ChessBase India's YouTube channel. ChessBase India's YouTube channel has amassed more than 2.5 million YouTube subscribers and more than 2.5 billion views as of December 2024.
July 24, 2025: Katherine Bella, CEO, Interview about NEA Funding Cut Impacts (ABC 7 KGO News)
Katherine Bella, CEO, spoke with Reggie Aqui with ABC 7 KGO News about how proposed cuts to the NEA threaten not only San Francisco's cultural programming, but also the economic vitality of the City's Financial District.
July 15, 2025: Mechanics' Institute Chess mentioned in NBC Sports article about Warriors' Quinten Post
Warriors' player Quinten Post mentions playing chess at Mechanics' in this NBC Sports article: Warriors center Quinten Post details journey to becoming NBA chess champion
Event & Meeting Room Rentals
Mechanics' Institute offers meeting spaces for hourly or daily rental on the 3rd and 4th fls. of our historic building. Located one half block from the Montgomery Street Muni and BART stations, it is a convenient commuter location to host meetings, events, classes, and seminars.
Learn More & Reserve Rooms