Chess Clubs in Palos Heights, Illinois. The list of addresses.

Palos Heights, IL and Southwest Suburbs Chess Clubs

Palos Heights Chess Club

Where: Palos Heights Public Library – 12501 S 71st Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463

Summary: The Palos Heights Chess Club meets from 6-8:30 p.m. Each Thursday evening in the library’s meeting room. This friendly community welcomes player of all ability levels — from absolute newbie to competitive tournamenter. The club has tournament–style sets and clocks, and more experienced members give informal beginner lessons at no cost for the first hour. Rapid Tournaments take place on the last Thursday of every month.

Orland Park Chess Society

Where: Orland Park Public Library – 14921 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462

Description: A 15 minute drive from Palos Heights, the Orland Park Chess Society presents one of the hottest chess programs in the southwest suburbs. The club meets Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons, with dedicated times to play socially or competitively only. USCF-rated tourneys four times a year, also special events such as simuls with master level players.

Tinley Park Chess Collective

Where: Tinley Park Public Library – 7851 Timber Dr, Tinley Park, IL 60477

Description: Our expanding chess club meets from 7-9:30 PM a every Friday night in the library board room. It is a group that focuses on chess education having weekly strategy discussions and lessons after each match. The club also supplies digital chess clocks for timed games and operates a lending library of chess books. A beginner workshop is held on the first Friday of the month.

Palos Hills Chess Academy

Where: Palos Hills Community Center – 8455 W 103rd St, Palos Hills, IL 60465

Details: At the Palos Hills Chess Academy — Chess Saturday Afternoon Program. Lessons are given in openings, tactics and endgame then students play practice games with the instructor giving feedback. That mentoring program, which the academy touts as unique, pairs older players with newcomers who then receive instruction customized to their needs. Tournament-quality equipment is provided.

Oak Lawn Chess Forum

Place: Oak Lawn Public Library – 9427 S Raymond Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453

Description: About 20 minutes from Palos Heights. This club is strong in youth chess development, with compitent Adult membership. Their new “Chess Lab” program enables players to go through curated positions under the guiding hand of an instructor. Rated events occur monthly.

Worth Community Chess Group

Where: Worth Public Library – 6917 W 111th St, Worth, IL 60482

Details: The Worth Community Chess Group provides a laid back Sunday afternoon for the casual player. Playing 1-4 PM weekly, this group concentrates on competition in a friendly atmosphere and honing skills for players of all ages. There are quite a few chess sets in the library, and seating is available.

Online and Scholastic Opportunities

Several schools in the suburbs of Palos Heights, among them the Palos South Middle School and Stagg High School compete in scholastic chess tournaments. Online play Local clubs recommend virtual tournaments hosted by the Illinois Chess Association, as well as large platforms. During the school year, there is also an interscholastic team competition which features inter-club team matches that is hosted by the Southwest Suburban Chess League.

Conclusion

Palos Heights is a chess hotbed in the southwest suburbs, and there are several quality tournaments within just 20 minutes. The Central Florida area supports a variety of clubs that offer programs to accommodate all players, casual and tournament-level. All equipment is available for rental, and most venues accept drop-ins. Thanks to club meetings, classes and special events throughout the year, if you’re a chess player in / around Palos Heights, you have great opportunities to play and improve.