Chicago - Chess Clubs, Tournaments & Learning
Discover Chicago's vibrant chess scene. Find clubs across the city, major Midwest tournaments, and improve your game with Professor Archer.
Published 2026-02-08 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Chess in Chicago
Chicago has been a powerhouse of American chess for over a century. The city's central location has made it a natural host for major national events, and the Chicago chess community itself is deep, competitive, and welcoming. The Chicago Chess Center serves as the city's primary hub, offering regular tournaments, lessons, and open play sessions in a dedicated chess space.
The Illinois Chess Association supports a robust tournament calendar, and Chicago's scholastic chess programmes are among the strongest in the country. Whitney Young Magnet School and other Chicago public schools have produced nationally competitive chess teams, and the city's after-school chess programmes reach thousands of young players each year.
Chicago's chess culture reflects the city's broader character - unpretentious, hard-working, and fiercely competitive. The North Shore Chess Center in Northbrook provides additional organized play in the suburbs, and clubs in Evanston, Oak Park, and Hyde Park ensure that chess is accessible across the metropolitan area. The annual Chicago Open is one of the largest open tournaments in the Midwest, regularly drawing over 500 participants.
Professor Archer's online training helps Chicago players maintain their improvement trajectory throughout the harsh winters when getting to club venues may be less appealing. A consistent study routine, paired with regular competitive play, is the fastest path to chess growth.
Chess Clubs in Chicago
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Chicago Chess Center
Address: Downtown Chicago - check their website for current venue details
Meeting Times: Open multiple days per week with regular tournaments - check their website for current schedule -
North Shore Chess Center
Address: 820 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Meeting Times: Monday and Thursday evenings, 7:00 PM -
Hyde Park Chess Club
Address: Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S Cornell Avenue, Chicago
Meeting Times: Sunday afternoons, 2:00 PM
Chess Tournaments in Chicago
- Chicago Open - Annual (Memorial Day weekend)
- Illinois State Championship - Annual (February)
Professor Archer says: Chicago is where Midwest chess ambition meets big-city competition. The players here are practical and well-prepared. My advice? Work on your calculation depth - it is the single skill that lifts Chicago club players to the next level most reliably.
Start Learning Chess with Professor Archer
Whether you're in Chicago or anywhere in the world, Professor Archer is ready to be your personal chess coach. No experience needed.