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Bloomington-Normal chess club serves chess players in the Twin Cities region and beyond. A few of us meet occasionally on Tuesday nights at The Proving Ground in Normal, 1503 E. College Ave. Contact Joseph Alford at josephoalford@gmail.com for more information.
Garrett Scott, well known member of the Illinois chess community, passed away this week. Garrett was a founding member of the Twin Cities Chess Club (also known as the Bloomington-Normal Chess Club) in 1967. Mr. Scott was a key member not only of the adult chess community but also coached many students over the years. He was an active part of Bloomington-Normal Area Scholastic Chess, the Illinois High School Association and Illinois Elementary School Association. He was a passionate civil rights advocate, having marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was a founder of the annual MLK Day Scholastic Chess Tournament in Bloomington where he reminded all participants of the need to continue the struggle for civil rights. He also served in the Illinois Chess Association board including a period as President, previously served as an Executive Board member of the United States Chess Federation, and also served a term on the Normal City Council. He will be missed not only by family and friends but by multiple generations of chess players across the United States. Details of services will be published as they become available.
We continue to meet virtually as a club via Discord and Lichess. See the “Online Play” page for details.
Congratulations to Cole Frank, the 2022 Club Champion!
Please contact us at bloomingtonnormalchess@gmail.com.
If you are looking for other over-the-board chess opportunities, the following sites may be useful.
Illinois Chess Association
Springfield Chess Club
Greater Peoria Chess Foundation