Chess tournaments in Illinois: Where to look for the best ones?

Last updated: August 2026

For chess aficionados seeking to showcase their talents in competitive settings, Illinois offers a plethora of exciting opportunities. This guide covers the state's major tournaments, from scholastic championships to weekly club events, for players of all skill levels — from seasoned strategists to aspiring grandmasters.

We strongly encourage our students to actively participate in these tournaments, extending their learning beyond our free monthly online tournaments. As the adage aptly states, practice paves the path to mastery.

Upcoming Chess Tournaments in Illinois

• Illinois Open — September 3–7, 2026, DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle Naperville. $15,000 in prizes, six sections, out-of-state players welcome.

• Illinois All Grade Championship — usually held in mid-November in Peoria, organized by the Greater Peoria Chess Association; the 2025 edition drew nearly 300 kids.

• Tim Just Winter Open & Winter Scholastic — return every January at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg.

  
  

Are These Chess Tournaments for Kids?

Absolutely! In fact, many of the tournaments listed below are ideal for beginner and intermediate children looking to test their skills and make some new friends along the way. With age-appropriate divisions and supportive environments, these events provide the perfect platform for young players to develop their chess talents and passion.

However, it's important to note that the tournament landscape also caters to adults, offering competitive challenges for players of all skill levels.

Here are some additional resources specifically designed for young chess enthusiasts:

• ChessKid.com: This interactive website offers lessons, puzzles, and online games, making learning chess fun and engaging for children.

• US Chess Federation Youth Programs: The US Chess Federation provides a variety of resources and programs to support young chess players, including national tournaments, scholastic clubs, and educational materials.

• Chess.com: This popular online platform offers a kid-friendly interface, interactive lessons, and a vibrant online community where children can connect with other young chess players.

  
  

Don't Forget Our Free Monthly Online Tournaments!

We offer free monthly tournaments for all students and non-students, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment where children can hone their skills and build confidence. All of our tournaments are guided live by our Head Coach. For non-students, a small fee of $5 allows them to participate in this exciting experience.

Chess Tournaments in Chicago

Illinois Chess Association (ICA)

The ICA is the governing body for chess in Illinois and the state's premier tournament organizer. In 2026 alone, they've run the Illinois K-8 State Championship, the Illinois Open, the Illinois All Grade Championship, and the 42nd Annual Tim Just Winter Open, and partnered with the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation to bring the All-Girls National Championship to Chicago. They host:

• Open Tournaments: Open to all players, regardless of rating.

• Scholastic Tournaments: Designed for players under 19 years of age.

• K-12 Championships: State-level tournaments for elementary and high school students.

• Simuls: Simultaneous exhibitions where a strong player takes on multiple opponents at once.

  
  

Chicago Chess Center & Chicago Chess Foundation

The Chicago Chess Center (CCC) and Chicago Chess Foundation (CCF) are two of the most active chess organizations in the state, running weekly tournaments, casual play, lessons, and free scholastic programs for all ages. The CCC's tournament location is at 166 W Washington Street, Unit #600, in Chicago's Loop. For a full breakdown of these clubs and others across Illinois, see our complete Illinois Chess Clubs Guide.

Hyatt Regency Schaumburg

Although not officially a chess club, the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg hosts several of Illinois's biggest tournaments each year:

• Tim Just Winter Open: A US Chess Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix event with six sections (Major/FIDE-rated down to Under 1300), usually held in January. The 2026 edition (its 42nd) offered $10,000 in prizes.

• Winter Scholastic: A same-weekend scholastic event for players 18 and under, divided into Under 1200, Under 800, and Under 500 sections, with trophies awarded to top finishers in each section.

• US Amateur Team-North: A 5-round Swiss, open to 4-player teams with one optional alternate, usually held in February.

• Northern Blitz Championship: A 5-round double Swiss (10 total games), G/3 with 2-second increment, USCF blitz rated.

• Illinois K-8 State Chess Championship: Organized by Chess Weekend, Inc. (Glenn Panner and Maret Thorpe) and the Illinois Chess Association. The 2026 edition ran March 6–8, divided into four sections: K-1 (G/25 d5), Grades 2–3 (G/40 d5), Grades 4–5 (G/55 d5), and Grades 6–8 (G/55 d5), with bughouse, blitz, and puzzle-solving side events.

  
  

Bartlett Public Library District

Located at 800 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, this library hosts chess events throughout the year, many organized by Arts DuPage. They offer:

• Monthly Open Tournaments

• Quick Chess Events: Short, fast-paced tournaments for experienced players

• Chess Lessons

Contact the library at (630) 837-2855 for more information.

Chess Club of Lake County

Founded in May 2023, this club is a newer addition to Lake County's chess scene, dedicated to promoting chess in the area.

Springfield Chess Club

One of the oldest chess communities in the state — Springfield's chess history traces back to an 1835 reference in the Sangamo Journal, and the current club, formed in 1929, is approaching its centennial. The club runs regular USCF-rated tournaments, including the 2026 "SCC Golden Jubilee Open." Meetings are free and open to the public.

Conclusion

There are many opportunities to test your skills over the board — you just have to look in the right places. And if you're looking for the right place to improve your skills before your next tournament, learn from our Masters online, either in private lessons or group lessons.

We'd love to hear your ideas on how to make this guide better! Share them with us and we'll update this post. And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss one of our free monthly online tournaments.

FAQ

When is the next big chess tournament in Illinois?

The Illinois Open runs September 3–7, 2026 in Lisle. The Illinois All Grade Championship typically follows in mid-November in Peoria.

Is the Illinois Chess Association still active?

Yes — the ICA runs Illinois's major state championships and tournament series year-round, including the K-8, Open, and Winter Open events.

Are Illinois chess tournaments open to beginners?

Yes — most scholastic events and several club-level tournaments welcome beginners, with rating-based sections to keep games fair.

Where can I find weekly chess events near Chicago?

See our full Illinois Chess Clubs Guide for weekly and monthly club schedules across the state.

We'd love to hear your ideas on how to make this better! Share them with us and we'll update this post ASAP! And remember to subscribe to our Newsletter so that you will get all of our awesome online monthly tournaments!