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.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Please help the Wilmington Chess Club spread news about upcoming chess tournaments and chess activities by providing the club with your email address.
You can do this by sending an email to Jimmy Sneeden, the club president.
(jimmysneeden@gmail.com)(910-791-6973)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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 recentevents:
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thursday, June 4th – USCF Rated Swiss Tournament
4 Rounds G/15
6:30pm to 9:30pm
Entry Fee: $20
USCF membership required.
Hampton Inn Wilmington-University Area / Smith Creek Station
124 Old Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403
Preregister: https://chessnut.club/e/ilm-rapid-swiss-june-4th-rated
Contact: Derek Schaberg, Derek@ilmchess.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Saturday, June 13th - USCF Rated tournament
Wilmington
4 Rounds G/30 d/5 Swiss Format
Winter Park Presbyterian Church
4501 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403
Entry Fee: $15.00
10am - 3:45pm
USCF membership required.
Preregister: https://chessnut.club/e/winter-park-chess-clash-i
Contact: Ken Farrar, 910-443-6101, zzzzz9200@yahoo.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thursday, June 18th – ILM Chess Night at The Venue
Casual Chess: 6:30pm to 10:00pm
Blitz Tournament: 8:00pm to 9:30pm (pre-register)
The Venue at Wilmington Brewing Company
800 S Kerr Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403
Ages 21+
Pre-register: https://chessnut.club/e/ilm-blitz-night-june-18th-unrated
Contact: Derek Schaberg, Derek@ilmchess.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
ILMChess.com
This organization hosts blitz tournaments, USCF rated tournaments, and casual events. It is suitable for players of all skill levels.
Contact: Derek Schaberg, Derek@ilmchess.com
Website: ilmchess.com
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;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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 29, 2026.