Chess Clubs in Beach Park, Illinois. The list of addresses.
Chess Clubs in Beach Park, IL and Surrounding Communities
Chess players in Beach Park and nearby northern Illinois communities will find several organized playing opportunities. This guide covers local chess clubs within a 20-minute drive of Beach Park, offering options for both casual and competitive players.
1. Beach Park Chess Club
Location: Beach Park District Library – 12325 W Wadsworth Rd, Beach Park, IL 60099
Description: The Beach Park Chess Club meets every Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:30 PM in the library’s community room. This welcoming group accommodates players of all ages and skill levels. The library provides tournament-style chess sets and digital clocks. Monthly activities include casual play, strategy discussions, and occasional mini-tournaments.
2. Waukegan Chess Society
Location: Waukegan Public Library – 128 N County St, Waukegan, IL 60085
Description: Located 10 minutes from Beach Park, this active chess community gathers every Thursday from 6:30-9:00 PM. The Society offers structured programming with beginner lessons available upon request. The group hosts quarterly rated tournaments and maintains an email list for announcements.
3. Zion Chess Collective
Location: Zion-Benton Public Library – 2400 Gabriel Ave, Zion, IL 60099
Description: A 15-minute drive from Beach Park, this family-friendly chess group meets Saturday afternoons from 1:00-4:00 PM. The Collective emphasizes chess education with teaching boards available for group instruction. Special events include youth tournaments and summer chess workshops.
4. Gurnee Chess Academy
Location: Warren-Newport Public Library – 224 N O’Plaine Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031
Description: This instructional-focused club meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:30 PM. The Academy hosts quarterly rated tournaments and maintains a collection of chess literature available for checkout. Several club members compete in regional championships.
5. Kenosha Chess Circle (Wisconsin)
Location: Northside Library – 1500 27th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
Description: Just across the state line (20 minutes from Beach Park), this casual chess meetup occurs every second and fourth Sunday of the month from 2:00-5:00 PM. The Circle maintains a relaxed atmosphere with optional coaching sessions for beginners.
Regional Tournament Opportunities
Annual chess events in the area include:
Lake County Spring Open (April)
Beach Park Summer Classic (July)
North Shore Championship (October)
For serious competitors, the North Shore Chess Center in Skokie (40 minutes away) hosts regular rated tournaments. Most local clubs recommend contacting them in advance as schedules may adjust for holidays. Whether seeking casual games or serious competition, chess players in the Beach Park area will find welcoming communities and regular playing opportunities. Several clubs participate in inter-community chess challenges and collaborative events throughout the year.
