Chess Club Brings Players Together Across the Board

Nick McCabe (fourth from right) and chess students

"It's really cool to see the growth and it's a very beautiful game and I think that the people need it... Because chess is the vessel of the greatest tool of community building that there ever was," stated Nick McCabe, owner and founder of the Wilmington Chess Collective.

McCabe grew up locally and attended Wilmington City Schools. After attending Miami University, he felt called to return home and fix the "deficit" of chess in Wilmington's community. McCabe rediscovered his love for chess during the COVID pandemic and was inspired to bring it to others in Clinton County.

The Wilmington Chess Club began in 2023 and was officially registered as company in 2025, with the goal of expanding chess in the community. The meetings feature officer reports, chess instruction, and then free play or small tournaments among members. In addition to regular meetings, the club also provides chess lessons and hosts club meetings at local organizations, including Wilmington City Schools, Wilmington Christian Academy, Sugartree Ministries, Clinton County Youth Council, and more.

In the future, McCabe hopes to provide a chess club for Laurel Oaks students, as they have a "deficit of extracurriculars." Last year, the chess club's high school students competed in the Esports (electronic sports) League and nearly went undefeated, winning every match but one where they were disqualified.

Membership to the club is completely free, excluding tournaments held outside of meetings, and individuals can join as young as five years old. According to McCabe, the club is very "youth-facing," made up of many young members. McCabe also offers private lessons in person or virtually to those interested.

The Wilmington Chess Collective hosts tournaments each year, including the Sugartree Spring and Fall Classics. On February 27, 2026, the club hosted a 'Charter Day Tournament' in celebration of their one-year anniversary of becoming a registered business. The Charter Day Tournament was held at the Eagles and featured live music from DJ Marcus Harris.

To learn more, join their group on Facebook: Wilmington Chess Club.