Customized Community Programs

Chess - A Game for the Ages
Chess-Now offers a unique look into chess for those non-players who want to better understand this fascinating game. " Chess - A Game for the Ages " is an interactive discussion of a game played all over the world by 550 million people. If you want to know about the history of the game, art and chess, stories about the players, the evolution of the pieces then this lively online slide presentation is for you.

Shown below is "Lady Howe checkmating Ben Franklin” which depicts the great man at play during his sojourn as envoy to London. They were discussing how to avoid having the colonies go to war against England. Credit to Manson Collection, Yale University Art Gallery.

Are you ready for the challenge, visualize the future with chess training.

Oak Brook Public Library
Drop-In Chess Club with Lessons in 2012

Chess-Now will conduct chess lessons this summer on Wednesday nights at the Oak Brook Library.  These sessions are open to the public of all communities and help aspiring players get better at chess. The lessons will start June 13 for 6 weeks (no class on July 4) ending July 25  at 7PM. Shown below are players of all ages enjoying the great game of chess at the library.

In 2007, Chess-Now in cooperation with the Oak Brook Public Library hosted International Master Andrew Martin from England for a 21-board simultaneous exhibition.  IM Andrew

Martin lives in Sandhurst, England and is a professional chess teacher and writer. The Doings Newspaper also published "Checkmate" regarding the exhibition. (read article 4.8M pdf).

The US Open Chess Tournament was held in Oak Brook in 2006. This premiere chess tournament was held at the Doubletree Hotel.  534 Players participated in the event with over 200 players from Illinois. The Doings Newspaper in collaboration with Chess-Now, published a 2 page story called"Chess: Marathon of the Mind" regarding the US Open. (read article)

The US Open is also when the annual delegates meeting is held so the board can present new business items that come before the Federation.   Shown below are State delegates working throught the agenda at the annual meeting.

Roselle Public Library

Chess-Now has conducted Chess Workshops at the Roselle Public Library at 40 S. Park Street.

Glen Ellyn

Chess – The Intelligent Side of Your Game

HTSW and Chess-Now Ltd. designed a new course that helped improve the thinking side of your game. Participants learned about the synergies of using chess with tennis, golf, running and wellness. This six week program for beginning/intermediate chess players covered basic strategy and tactics. The center, initiative, visualization, shot (move) selection, analyzing your opponent, attacking vs. defending work whether playing for mate or game, set and match.

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Glen Ellyn Library All Ages Chess Club

Chess-Now is conducting drop-in chess lessons in the library at 400 Duane Street every Thursday night this summer starting June 14 for 6 weeks (no class July 5) at 7:00 PM.

Parents and children are welcome.  Sessions are 1 hour and will consist of a topic or game with supervised play between participants. The library will provide boards and sets. Contact the library at 630-469-0879 to register or www.gepl.org for information.

2nd Glen Ellyn Bughouse and Grade School Challenge

The library using the services of Chess-Now will hosted the 2nd Grade School challenge. Each District 41 grade school sent a team to represent their school. Shown below are all the players waiting for their instructions to begin the round.

Lombard Public Library
Young People's Services

"Drop-In Chess Club with Instruction"

Chess-Now has conducted chess lessons in the library at 110 West Maple.

Naperville Park District

CHENNIS ™

Hits Naperville This Summer

Chess-Now is conducting tournaments combining Chess and Tennis for the residents of Naperville this summer. These CHE ss & te NNIS tournaments will consist of players in a grade level section playing a 10-point-tiebreaker in tennis against all their opponents and a 5-minute blitz chess game as well. The winner of the tournament will have the most match points.

Singles Tennis Tournaments will be grouped by age and use the USTA 10-and-Under Quickstart rules and equipment. All tournaments start at 9AM at the Nike Sports Complex Tennis Courts.

Grades 1-2 will play with Red Balls and modified nets on Tuesday, July 10.

Grades 3-4 will play with Orange Balls on 60'courts on Wednesday, July 11.

Grades 5-6 will play with Green Balls on 78' courts on Thursday, July 12.

Grades 7-10 will play with Yellow Balls on 78' courts on Friday, July 13.

Doubles Tennis Tournament and Bughouse (team chess) matches will be played the following week from July 17 through July 20 with same days and times for each grade. Players must register as teams and should know how to play bughouse before entering. The winners will have the most points from all their matches. Prizes and trophies will be awarded to the winners. See the Park District Summer Catalog for registration information.

From the Chessboard to the Tennis Court

Chess-Now will again conduct a course this summer that combines the games of chess and tennis in a class called "From the Chessboard to the Tennis Court" . Look for registration information on the NPD websitee. Classes will be held on June 12 thru June 21 from 9 until noon at the Nike Sports Complex Tennis courts. Shown below are students having fun on the tennis court attacking the chess pieces that get in their way

Summer - Introductory Youth Chess Lessons

On Wednesday afternoons this summer from June 6 through Aug 1, Chess-Now is conducting chess instruction for junior players ages 6-13. The Introductory sessions are for beginning players and will cover fundamentals including basic strategy and tactics. Introductory lessons are held at 4:00 PM.

Chess for The Improving Player 

On Wednesday afternoons Chess-Now is conducting advanced lessons. Sessions will be at 5:00 PM at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center at 320 W. Jackson in Naperville IL. Equipment and materials are provided. Contact Betty Roth 630-848-3619 or broth@napervilleparks.org for information. Registration is available for both classes online through the Park District website.

Downers Grove Public Library

2012 Chess Classes

Chess-Now will conduct 2 chess lessons this summer for patrons of the Downers Grove Library. Time is scheduled for casual play along with a discussion of strategy and tactics aimed at the beginning/intermediate player. Lessons are on July 11 and July 25 at 1:30. The library is located at 1050 Curtiss Street in downtown Downers Grove.

Downers Grove CC is champion again (4-peat) of the Chicago Industrial Chess League.

Downers Grove Chess Club (your reporter is a playing member of the 6-man team that competes against other Chicago area companies and clubs) is the 2012 Chicago Industrial Chess League champion. Continuing their string, they have done something even the 3-peat Chicago Bulls could not do. They were the 2009 champion, 2010 and 2011 co-champions of the CICL and now took clear first against all the other teams in the league in a playoff held in Elmhurst on Saturday, May 12 atop the Concord Hotel. See CICL Website for more information.

Downers Grove Chess Club Meets on Wednesday Nights

The Downers Grove Chess Club meets every Wednesday night from 6:30 to 10:30 PM at 200 Village Drive in Downers Grove.  Village Drive is off of Fairview Avenue in Downers Grove, a bit south of 63rd Street (aka Hobson), and a mile north of 75th St.The club meeting room is called the Sabel Studio and is on the ground floor. The members participate in informal club play as well as Blitz and 10 minute tournaments. All level of players are welcome, equipment is provided by the club.

NEW - Villa Park Public Library

Chess-Now is helping to bring chess to the Villa Park Public Library at 305 S. Ardmore Ave. this summer. We will be conducting two workshops to help patrons get better at their game. The sessions are on Tuesday June 19th and July 10th at 7PM. The sessions will consist of a review of chess strategies and tactics followed by supervised play. Equipment will be provided. On other Tuesday nights during the summer patrons can participate in the library chess club. Open to residents from nearby communities and for youth players grade 2-8. Players need to regsiter by calling the library.

West Chicago - Winfield Park Districts

Chess-Now will be conducting "Chess for the Improving Player" classes at the Park Districts. Contact West Chicago Park District at 630-231-9474 for more information or to register.

NEW - Wheaton

Chess-Now is helping to bring chess to the Wheaton Public Library this summer. We will be conducting a workshop to help patrons get better at their game. The workshop is on Wednesday July 18th at 1PM. The chess club playing days are Saturday July 21 at 1PM and one week later on Saturday July 28th at 11AM.  The workshop will consist of a review of chess strategies and tactics followed by supervised play. Equipment will be provided. Open to residents from nearby communities and for youth players grade 2-8. Players need to regsiter by calling the library and it is limited to the first 50 participants. Registration is done online, by phone or walk-in and starts early June. Sign up in Youth Services early to reserve your place.

"It's Just Chess for Lunch" at Lincoln School

During their lunch hour over 65 students from Lincoln School learned to play chess better. Parent volunteers and Chess-Now conducted the introductory chess lessons that covered fundamental strategy and tactics. Shown below are some of the volunteers and students playing at the school.

Contact Chess-Now if you would like to have this innovative new program brought to your school over the lunch hour.

Chess-Now is helping Longfellow School build a strong chess club at their school. Shown below is the final session of the year where all the players are celebrating their success.

Winfield Public Library

Drop-in Lessons at the All Ages Chess Club

Look for future classes to be announced at the library .

Winfield Park District

From the Chessboard to the Tennis Court

Chess-Now Ltd. conducted chess lessons at the library and tennis lessons at the local tennis court. Shown below are participants having fun on the court and receiving their poster for attending the class.

Elmhurst Park District

Chess-Now conducted a class that combines the knowledge of chess with the skill of tennis called "Playing Chess with Your Tennis Racquet". Sessions were at the Joanne B. Wagner Community Center in Elmhurst IL. Bring your racquet and sneakers to practice on the "Quick Start" tennis court. Contact Marilyn Connelly at 630-993-8921 for information or to register. . See EPD website for more details.

All Elmhurst Chess Tournament

Chess-Now participated in the 16th annual all-Elmhurst Chess tournament at York High School where over 200 students played. Several Chess-Now students participated in the after-school event. Shown below are all the participants playing their Game-in 7 minute matches using clocks on every board! For a link to the story click Elmhurst Tournament.

Elmhurst-based “It's Good to Be King Chess Shop” in cooperation with “Chess-Now”, offered Beginning/Intermediate chess lessons for the adult patrons of the chess shop.

It's Good To Be King Chess Shop is located at 160 N. York Road in Elmhurst IL  and has been in business since 1996 selling chess equipment including boards and sets. ( www.goodtobeking.com ). Here are two patrons finishing up with a friendly game in the store.

Addison Public Library

Drop-in Lessons at the All Ages Chess Club

Addison Library started a drop-in chess club using Chess-Now instruction. The lessons were in the library at 4 Friendship Plaza on Saturday mornings. Sessions lasted for 1 hour and consisted of a topic or game with supervised play between participants afterwards.

Town and Country Public Library (Elburn, IL)

"Chess for the Improving Player Program"

Chess-Now is conducting Chess for the Improving Player lessons in the library at 320 North East Street this summer on Monday nights starting June 11th through July 23 (no class July 2) at 6:30 PM. Contact the library at 630-365-2244 for information. New and returning players are welcome. Shown below are Elburn patrons getting their lessons and then putting the information to work over the board.

North Riverside Public Library

Beginning/Intermediate Chess Lessons Summer 2012

Chess-Now is conducting Beginning/Intermediate chess lessons in the library at 2400 DesPlaines Ave. North Riverside 60546. Classes are June 14 & 21 and July 19 & 26. Registration is required. Shown below are students gathered around the big chess set making their moves as a team game.

Brookfield Public Library

Beginning/Intermediate Chess Lessons

Chess-Now has conducted Beginning/Intermediate chess lessons in the library at 3609 Grand Boulevard, Brookfield 60513.

Schaumburg/Hanover Park/Hoffman Estates

Schaumburg Township District Library

Fall 2012 Chess Lessons

Introductory & Chess for the Improving Player Lessons

Chess-Now Ltd. will be conducting 6 weeks of chess lessons at the main library located at 130 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg this fall on Tuesdays after school.  Beginning lessons start at 4 PM and 5 PM for Improving Players. for 1 hour.  Important - patrons must have a valid Schaumburg library card to register in the Youth Services area of the library.  Beginning sessions will cover fundamental strategy and tactics and students will have time for supervised play as part of the lessons. Contact Youth Services area for more information.

Itasca Community Library

Chess-Now conducted an Intermediate/Advanced Chess Workshop at the Itasca Community Library at 500 W. Irving Park Road. The workshop explained strategy and tactics and time was allowed for participants to play against each other. Contact Beth in Youth Services to inquire about future programs.

Indian Prairie Public Library - Darien
How to Get Better at Chess

Chess-Now was at the library at 401 Plainfield Road in Darien, IL 60561 for a session that reviewed some of the games that were played at the US Open. The Indian Prairie Library Chess Club meets on the 1st three Mondays of the month at 6PM in the Library and conducts a friendly tournament for the members.  New players are always welcome. Shown below is Chess-Now conducting a session at the library on "How to Get Better at Chess".   A balance of studying, playing and taking lessons were discussed to help improve your ability at the game.

Willowbrook Community Chess Club

Every Friday evening the Willowbrook Community Chess Club meets to have friendly competition for adult chess players.  The club starts at 6:30 PM and meets at the Village Hall in Willowbrook just off of Rte 83. Shown below are club members enjoying the excellent facilities

during their games.

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Lisle/Woodridge

Lisle Chamber of Commerce Presentation

Chess-Now Founder and President, Jim Egerton, presented to the Lisle Chamber of Commerce meeting his topic was the importance of "Strategic Thinking in Business".

Woodridge Library Adult Programing Presented

Chess - A Game for the Ages Tthe Woodridge Library has hosted the Chess-Now presentation of "Chess - A Game for the Ages". This unique look into chess for non-players helped the patrons better understand this fascinating game.

Lisle Park District Classes - Summer 2012

Chess for The Improving Player

Chess-Now will be conducting chess classes this summer at the new Park District facility.   These sessions will start June 13th through July 25th (no class on July 4) at 11AM and will cover common tactics and checkmates you need to know. Equipment and materials are provided. For more information see the Lisle Park District Website.

Shown at left is Chess-Now participating in the Lisle Park Districts's 40th Anniversary celebration with a chess pavilion at Community Park.

Lisle and Woodridge Library Chess Sessions

Chess-Now Ltd. has conducted chess lessons at the library on 777 Front Street.

Chess-Now Ltd. has conducted chess lessons at the library located at 3 Plaza Drive in Woodridge.

Geneva

Geneva Public Library Chess Sessions

Chess-Now Ltd. conducted chess lessons at the library at 127 James Street.

Geneva Park District

Chess for The Improving Player

Chess-Now has conducted chess classes at the Park District.   For more information see the Geneva Park District Website.

St. Charles Public Library Chess Sessions

Chess-Now Ltd. has conducted beginning/intermediate chess lessons at the library.

Updated May 15, 2012

The reviews are in on Chess - A Game for the Ages

As a non-chess player, I thought your program informative and entertaining. I was especially fascinated with the details of the history of chess.

Joan H., Town & Country Library Elburn, IL

The feedback of those who attended was great.  They loved it and were so pleasantly surprised that they were going to let the others know they missed a geat program. Sometimes this group does not trust me to select programs that I think they would like. They all thought it was great.

Cathy K. Town & Country Library, Elburn, IL