Chess Clubs in Forest Park, Illinois. The list of addresses.
Chess Clubs in Forest Park, IL and Surrounding Communities
Chess players in Forest Park and nearby western Chicago suburbs will find several organized playing opportunities. This guide covers local chess clubs within a 15-minute drive of Forest Park, offering options for both casual and competitive players.
1. Forest Park Chess Club
Location: Forest Park Public Library – 7555 Jackson Blvd, Forest Park, IL 60130
Description: The Forest Park Chess Club meets every Thursday evening from 6:00-8:30 PM in the library’s community room. This welcoming group accommodates players of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced competitors. The library provides tournament-style chess sets and digital clocks. Monthly activities include casual tournaments, puzzle-solving sessions, and strategy discussions led by experienced players.
2. Oak Park Chess Society
Location: Oak Park Public Library – 834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301
Description: Just 5 minutes from Forest Park, this well-established club meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30-9:00 PM. The Society offers structured programming with beginner lessons at 6:30 PM and competitive play at 7:30 PM. The group hosts monthly rated tournaments and maintains an active email list for announcements.
3. Berwyn Chess Collective
Location: Berwyn Public Library – 2701 S Harlem Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402
Description: A 10-minute drive from Forest Park, this family-friendly chess group gathers Saturday afternoons from 1:00-4:00 PM. The Collective emphasizes chess education with teaching boards available for group lessons. Special events include youth tournaments and summer chess camps for school-age players.
4. River Forest Chess Club
Location: River Forest Public Library – 735 Lathrop Ave, River Forest, IL 60305
Description: This instructional-focused club meets Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:30 PM. The group hosts quarterly rated tournaments and maintains a collection of chess literature available for checkout. Several local high school chess team members regularly participate.
5. Cicero Chess Circle
Location: Cicero Public Library – 5225 W Cermak Rd, Cicero, IL 60804
Description: 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. The library provides both standard and oversized chess sets.
6. Chicago Chess Center
Location: 47 W Polk St, Chicago, IL 60605
Description: While a 15-minute drive from Forest Park, this premier chess facility offers excellent opportunities for serious players. The Center hosts daily rated tournaments, lectures, and open play sessions. Multiple master-level players frequent the club.
Regional Tournament Opportunities
Annual chess events in the western suburbs include:
Forest Park Spring Open (April)
Oak Park Summer Classic (July)
West Suburban Championship (October)
For competitive players, the North Shore Chess Center in Skokie hosts regular rated tournaments within reasonable driving distance. Most local clubs recommend checking their websites for current schedules before visiting, as meeting times may occasionally change. Whether you’re a beginner learning the game or an experienced player seeking competition, the Forest Park area offers quality chess opportunities for all interests and skill levels. Many clubs participate in inter-library chess challenges and collaborative events throughout the year.
