Bloomington-Normal Chess

08/31/2026

Come join us tonight, casual chess starting around 5:30pm!
Bring clocks and sets.

Adult-oriented rated club chess:
Who: Players in high school and older* (*younger players who have achieved an over-the-board US Chess rating of at least 1200 can also participate; players younger than high school must be accompanied by an adult at all times)
When: Mondays at 6:15pm, Round 1 at 6:30pm. Round 1 pairings will be made at approximately 6:20pm, any players arriving after pairings are made will receive a half-point bye for Round 1.
Where: Portillo's in Normal (202 Landmark Dr. Normal, IL 61761)
Format: USCF-Rated (must have active US Chess membership). 4 Rounds G15+2.
Sections and formats may be changed at TD discretion.
Entry Fee: $1; no prizes.

Rated Play Expectations:
- Players bring clocks and sets to use for their games
- Players promptly report their results
- Players should have a reasonable understanding of US Chess rules (i.e. resolving touch move, illegal moves, etc.)
- Players show respect to each other and other players' equipment
- Players and Spectators refrain from interfering in, commenting on, and otherwise distracting players/disrupting games in progress
- Players (after their games) and/or spectators who wish to talk to each other should do so away from active games

Notes:
- Children must be supervised at all times; failure to supervise your children will result in your (and/or your player's) removal from the tournament without warning
- The restaurant may get noisy, and we do not have any control over the noise level.
- Under this time control, games will only affect your USCF Quick rating.
- Taking notation is not required for quick-rated play.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all players. Harassment of any kind, such as (but not limited to) on the basis of age, s*x, race, color, ethnicity, culture, religion, s*xual orientation, gender expression, or disability, is not tolerated and will result in removal from the tournament.

08/24/2026

Join us tonight!

08/14/2026

Join us on Saturday October 24th for two tournaments! As our playing site supports only 32 players at a time, we felt offering both a morning and an afternoon tournament can help accommodate more overall players! And if you just LOVE chess, why not play in both!
Red Raccoon Morning Quads: https://www.easyaccesschess.com/upcoming/RRGOct/Quads
Red Raccoon Afternoon 3x3: https://www.easyaccesschess.com/upcoming/RRGOct/3x3

08/07/2026

Congratulations to our very own David Sye for being awarded Senior Tournament Director of the Year by the United States Chess Federation at this year's U.S. Open!

08/06/2026

Reminder, Tournament this Saturday!
https://new.uschess.org/august-bloomington-normal-second-saturday-dennys
Sat. August 8 @ Denny's (1615 N. Main St. Normal , IL 61761)
4 Rounds G60 d2
US Chess Membership Required
Reg. 9:00am-9:45am
Talk to Joe and Fred for more info!

4SS, G/60 2 second delayEF $25, cash only on-siteRegistration 9-9:45, 1st rnd 10 AM, after 1st rnd a 30 minute break for lunch, other rounds ASAP$100 1st based on 20 entriesX, A, B, C, D, E, Unr each $40 based on 4 per classBring a friend!Denny’s asks that anyone sitting in the restaurant purchase...

08/03/2026

Come join us tonight, casual chess starting around 5:30pm!
Bring clocks and sets.

Adult-oriented rated club chess:
Who: Players in high school and older* (*younger players who have achieved an over-the-board US Chess rating of at least 1200 can also participate; players younger than high school must be accompanied by an adult at all times)
When: Mondays at 6:15pm, Round 1 at 6:30pm. Round 1 pairings will be made at approximately 6:20pm, any players arriving after pairings are made will receive a half-point bye for Round 1.
Where: Portillo's in Normal (202 Landmark Dr. Normal, IL 61761)
Format: USCF-Rated (must have active US Chess membership). 4 Rounds G15+2.
Sections and formats may be changed at TD discretion.
Entry Fee: $1; no prizes.

Rated Play Expectations:
- Players bring clocks and sets to use for their games
- Players promptly report their results
- Players should have a reasonable understanding of US Chess rules (i.e. resolving touch move, illegal moves, etc.)
- Players show respect to each other and other players' equipment
- Players and Spectators refrain from interfering in, commenting on, and otherwise distracting players/disrupting games in progress
- Players (after their games) and/or spectators who wish to talk to each other should do so away from active games

Notes:
- Children must be supervised at all times; failure to supervise your children will result in your (and/or your player's) removal from the tournament without warning
- The restaurant may get noisy, and we do not have any control over the noise level.
- Under this time control, games will only affect your USCF Quick rating.
- Taking notation is not required for quick-rated play.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all players. Harassment of any kind, such as (but not limited to) on the basis of age, s*x, race, color, ethnicity, culture, religion, s*xual orientation, gender expression, or disability, is not tolerated and will result in removal from the tournament.