Welcome to the Wilmington Chess Club!
The Wilmington Chess Club meets regularly at the Northeast Branch of the New Hanover County Public Library in Wilmington, NC on Sundays from 1:20 to 5:00.
Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome, including beginners.
Play is casual. Socializing is encouraged.
Free chess lessons are available at club meetings.
Boards and chess sets are provided.
Just show up and have some fun while improving your chess.
If you have any questions, please contact Jimmy Sneeden (club president).
Phone: 910-791-6973
Or, send him an email to make sure you get added to our email list.
Email: jimmysneeden@gmail.com
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A chess club is periodically offered by the New Hanover County Public Library.
Check the library's Public Calendar for days and times.
Here is one of the library's events:
CHESS CLUB @ Pine Valley Branch of New Hanover County Public Library
Learn chess basics and practice your skills. Chess encourages cooperation, problem solving and strategic thinking skills. Open to all skill levels. Ages 6-11. Registration is required.
Date: Thursday, May 7th 2026
Time: 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Location: Pelican Room, Pine Valley 3802 College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28412
Registration is required.
Space is limited!
Web link:
https://libcal.nhcgov.com/calendar/nhcpl?cid=2522&t=d&d=2026-05-07&cal=2522&inc=0
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ILM Rapid Swiss
Thursday, May 7, 2026 – Chess Tournament (5 rounds, G/10)
Location: Hampton Inn Wilmington - University Area / Smith Creek Station
124 Old Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403
6:30pm–9:30pm
Entry Fee: $15
$250 Prize Pool based on 40 entries.
Boards and clocks provided.
Pre-register:
https://chessnut.club/e/ilm-rapid-swiss-may-7th
Contact: Derek Schaberg, Derek@ilmchess.com
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ILM Chess Night at The Venue
Thursday, May 14, 2026, 6:30–9:00 PM. Casual Chess Meetup.
Free. Ages 21+.
Location: The Venue at Wilmington Brewing Company
800 South Kerr Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403
RSVP:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ilm-chess-night-at-the-venue-tickets-1988435049761?aff=oddtdtcreator
Contact: Derek Schaberg, Derek@ilmchess.com
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Winter Park Chess Clash I
USCF Rated Chess Tournament
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Location: Winter Park Presbyterian Church
4501 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403
Entry Fee: $15.00
10am - 3:45pm
4 Rounds; Swiss Format; G/30, d/5.
Every player must be a member of the USCF.
Open section cash prizes: $30 for 1st Place, $20 for 2nd Place, $10 for 3rd Place.
Cash prizes are based on 8 entries per section.
Players need to bring their own chess boards, pieces, and digital clocks.
Pre-register online by 6pm on Friday, June 12, 2026.
Web link: https://chessnut.club/e/winter-park-chess-clash-i
Contact: Ken Farrar, zzzzz95000@yahoo.com, 910-443-6101.
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Other Chess Club Options in the Wilmington Area
Wilmington Go and Chess Club
You can play either chess or the strategic game of Go. This club meets on Tuesday nights from 6:00 to 9:00 at Cape Fear Games (Sideboard) on Oleander Drive. Contact Geoff Cleary for more information (910-746-9850)(geoff.cleary@gmail.com)(Wilmington Go and Chess Club). Beginners are welcome and free lessons are available. Geoff has enough boards for at least eight players.
Chess Club of Wilmington
The club currently meets at the same time and place as the Wilmington Go and Chess Club (See details above). Contact Adam Shackelford (ashack@gmail.com) for further information.
Website: sites.google.com/view/chess-club-of-wilmington/
Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/chesswm
LA Times Bar
2851 Maco Rd NE, Leland, NC
Chess night every Monday night from 6-9 pm. All ages welcome, but minors
must be accompanied by an adult and cannot stay later than 9 pm.
Chess boards are provided. Games are casual. Check out their Facebook
and Instagram pages. Contact Matthew Goleniak for more information
(910-427-3121, elliotness7400@gmail.com).
UNC Wilmington Chess Club (for UNCW students)
Contact: Drew Woodall, alw7431@uncw.edu;
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For other chess clubs in NC and the US, check out the following websites:
NC Chess Association - Club Directory
US Chess Federation - Club Directory
Please contact Jimmy Sneeden for any updates to the website.
The website was last updated on May 1, 2026.