Bloomington-Normal Chess

10/12/2026

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

Reminder, two upcoming rated tournaments on Saturday, October 24th! Make sure to sign up now to reserve your spot (32 players max for each event).
Morning Quads: https://www.easyaccesschess.com/upcoming/RRGOct/Quads
Afternoon 3x3: https://www.easyaccesschess.com/upcoming/RRGOct/3x3

Adult-oriented rated club chess @ 6:15pm:
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.

10/09/2026

We’ll be back at The Coffee Hound in Uptown Normal on October 11th from 11am to 1pm! Boards are provided, but bring your own sets and clocks if you wish! Below is the address we will be playing at.

205 W North St
Normal, IL 61761
United States

Notes:
- Children must be supervised at all times
- The café may get noisy, and we do not have any control over the noise level

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.

10/05/2026

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

Adult-oriented rated club chess @ 6:15pm:
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.

10/03/2026

Don’t forget to visit The Coffee Hound tomorrow for casual, non-rated chess! Games run from 11am to 1pm. Boards and pieces are provided, but feel free to bring your own sets and clocks.

Notes:
- Children must be supervised at all times
- The restaurant may get noisy, and we do not have any control over the noise level

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.

10/02/2026

A local chess opportunity organized by the Bloomington Park District!

Join us this fall for some chess! Game boards and snacks will be provided! Players are welcome to bring their own boards, too. We hope you can join us for this fun opportunity to play against other chess enthusiasts! Come to one or all sessions!

👤 All ages are welcome (Players under 16 must bring an adult)
📆 Tuesdays (10/13, 11/17, 12/15)
⏰ 5:30-7:30 PM
📍 Miller Park Adult Center (1122 S. Morris Ave.)
🔎 Learn more/register here: https://shorturl.at/9jsPC

09/28/2026

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

Fred will be running rated chess tonight!

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.

09/25/2026

We have a new chess meetup in the area! Come meet us at The Coffee Hound in Uptown Normal for casual games and instruction. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. Come visit us to learn, play, and teach chess all over delicious coffee!


Notes:
- Children must be supervised at all times
- The restaurant may get noisy, and we do not have any control over the noise level

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.

09/25/2026

We are less than 1 month away from the TWO tournaments at Red Raccoon Games on Saturday October 24th.
We have 13 players signed up for the Morning Quads and 16 for the Afternoon 3x3. Remember, we can only fit 32 players for each tournament so make sure to the sign up now to reserve your spot (entry fees are paid onsite the day of the tournament)!
Morning Quads Registration + Entry List: https://www.kingregistration.com/entrylist/RRGOctQuads
Afternoon 3x3 Registration + Entry List: https://www.kingregistration.com/entrylist/RRGOct3x3

09/21/2026

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

Fred will be running rated tonight!

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.

09/14/2026

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.