Chess Clubs in Columbia, Illinois. The list of addresses.
Chess Clubs in Columbia, IL and Surrounding Communities
Local Chess Opportunities in Columbia
Columbia Community Chess Club
Location: Columbia Public Library
Address: 815 S Main St, Columbia, IL 62236
Description: The Columbia Community Chess Club meets every Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM in the library’s meeting room. This welcoming group accommodates players of all skill levels, from absolute beginners to experienced tournament players. The club provides chess sets and clocks, though members are welcome to bring their own equipment. Monthly casual tournaments are held on the last Thursday of each month.
Columbia High School Chess Team
Location: Columbia High School
Address: 201 Veterans Parkway, Columbia, IL 62236
Description: The high school’s competitive chess team participates in regional interscholastic tournaments throughout the academic year. While primarily for enrolled students, the team occasionally hosts community exhibition matches and simultaneous exhibitions with local masters.
Nearby Chess Clubs
Waterloo Chess Society (15 minutes from Columbia)
Location: Waterloo Public Library
Address: 509 N Market St, Waterloo, IL 62298
Description: This friendly group meets every Tuesday evening from 5:30-7:30 PM. The atmosphere is relaxed and social, with an emphasis on helping newer players improve. The society hosts quarterly rated tournaments that attract players from across Monroe County.
Red Bud Chess Collective (25 minutes from Columbia)
Location: Red Bud Area Community Center
Address: 1200 E Market St, Red Bud, IL 62278
Description: Meeting on Wednesday nights from 6:00-9:00 PM, this club features both casual play and serious competition. The collective maintains a lending library of chess books and DVDs available to members. Monthly thematic tournaments focus on specific openings or endgame scenarios.
Belleville Chess Academy (30 minutes from Columbia)
Location: Belleville Public Library
Address: 121 E Washington St, Belleville, IL 62220
Description: One of the most active chess organizations in the Metro East area, the Academy offers structured programming including beginner classes on Mondays, advanced strategy sessions on Wednesdays, and competitive play on Fridays. USCF-rated tournaments are held monthly.
St. Louis Chess Club (40 minutes from Columbia)
Location: 4657 Maryland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Description: This world-class facility offers extensive programming including master lectures, simultaneous exhibitions, and regular tournaments. While requiring membership for most activities, the club welcomes visitors for certain events and maintains an excellent chess bookstore open to the public.
Youth Chess Programs
Several area schools and organizations offer chess instruction for younger players:
Columbia Middle School Chess Club (meets Tuesdays after school)
Waterloo Elementary Chess Initiative (Saturday morning sessions)
Monroe County Youth Chess League (monthly meets at rotating locations)
The Columbia Park District offers summer chess camps for ages 8-16 during June and July.
Tournament Opportunities
Local players have access to several competitive events:
Monroe County Championship (annual event rotating between Columbia and Waterloo)
Metro East Scholastic Chess League tournaments
St. Louis Area Chess Calendar events (multiple weekly options)
Illinois Chess Association sanctioned tournaments
Getting Involved
Most area clubs welcome new players without advance notice, though contacting organizers beforehand is recommended for first-time visitors. The Columbia Community Chess Club offers free introductory lessons on the first Thursday of each month. Players interested in competitive chess can find information about joining the United States Chess Federation through any of the listed clubs.
For those traveling from Columbia, the closest regular tournament venue is the Belleville Chess Academy, which hosts rated events on the second Saturday of each month. Casual players will find welcoming communities at both the Columbia and Waterloo locations, while serious competitors may want to explore the greater St. Louis chess scene.
