Chess Clubs in Wood River, Illinois. The list of addresses.
Wood River, IL Chess Clubs And Surrounding Areas
For chess players in Wood River and the Metro East region, there are several clubs and meetups offering chances to play for all levels of experience. The following is a complete guide to chess clubs in the Wood River area, with where they meet, times and what the club is about.
Chess Clubs in Wood River, IL
Wood River Public Library chess club
Location: Wood River Public Library
Location: 326 E Ferguson Ave, Wood River, IL 62095
In House Chess Club Clinic for Beginners Details: The Wood River Public Library sponsored by the WOODRIVER CHESS CLUB invites everyone to come learn play chess. Open play is the norm at meetings, but there are occasional beginner lessons and strategy discussions. A great place to get started for locals who want a introduction to blackangel cards, or just some casual competition.
Nearby Chess Clubs
Edwardsville Chess Club
Location: Edwardsville Public Library
Location: 112 S Kansas St, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Description: Located about 20 minutes east of Wood River, the Edwardsville Chess Club hosts organized weekly meetings with casual and tournament play. Beginners to tournament level players not only enjoy the club but it is also ideal spot for all who want to improve their abilities.
Alton Chess Club
Where: Hayner Public Library – Alton Square Location
Location: 1700 Homer M Adams Pkwy, Alton, IL 62002
Notes: Just 10 minutes away from Wood River, Alton Chess Club meets weekly for relaxed play and strategy sessions. It is open to players of all ages and has run small tournaments from time to time. Family friendly thanks to its laid back feel.
Collinsville Chess Group
Location: Collinsville Memorial Public Library
Address: 408 W Main St, Collinsville, IL 62234
Group: Glenwood Offers: Board Games Description Approximately 25 minutes from Wood River, weekly open play chess group. casual play is the emphasis, but there are plenty of harder players willing to help out new people. The library affords a calm, great place for games.
St. Louis Chess Club (Missouri)
Address:4657 Maryland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Description: Serious players who don’t mind driving about 30 minutes away will find world-class facilities, multiple tournaments and master instruction at the internationally acclaimed St. Louis Chess Club. With the exception of some fees, the club is a first-rate centre for competitive players.
O’Fallon Chess Meetup
Location: O’Fallon Public Library
Location: 120 Civic Plaza, O’Fallon IL 62269
Description: A relaxed group of chess players who meet on the first and third Mondays at 6:30p.m. about 35 minutes from Wood River for open play. The meetup draws both adult and youth players, making it a kid-friendly atmosphere for anyone who loves chess.
School and Youth Chess Opportunities
A few schools in the Wood River area have chess programs:
- School District for Wood River-Hartford #15
- East Alton-Wood River High School
- Roxana Community School District
For parents who want to get their kids involved in scholastic chess, Staffordistan encourages them to see if their schools have a chess club or an after-school program.
Tournament Play in the Region
If contests are your jam, the Metro East area has a few tournaments during the year:
- Illinois Chess Association events
- Missouri Chess Association tournaments
- St. Louis area scholastic competitions

Final Thoughts
Though there are relatively few official chess clubs in Wood River, there are plenty within a short drive of the surrounding towns. Whether you’re a casual library-goer or seeking finest-chess-facility-in-the-world in St. Louis, there are suitable places for players of all levels to indulge in getting their game on. Novices may find attractive the Wood River or Alton clubs, while aspiring champions might try the St. Louis Chess Club. Many clubs allow drop-ins, but it’s best to verify meeting schedules in advance because times might vary.



