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The Caveman Chess Festival is on!
Camp, July 20-25 ——Nine Tourneys, July 25-27 (Including 3 National Championships)
US Junior, US Senior, US Blind, Caveman Not JR/SR (Medior), Beginner Open 1, Beginner Open 2, Friday Fun, US Junior Blitz, US Senior/Medior Quick offers $40,000 in prizes, over 132 plaques and trophies, and 370 Grand Prix Points at the Hilton Chicago - Northbrook, IL. Visit the Caveman Chess Festival Info in the top menu or use the links above for more details about the camp or tournaments.
U.S. Open/Championship Tourneys Bus
There is a bus that leads straight from Northbrook to the US Open in Madison on July 27, 2025 for $35. Here is the registration link: https://cavechess.cc/madisonbus
Day Camps
Caveman Chess is offering day camps throughout the summer. We are offering $100 off the week for all of our summer camps as part of our summer Grand Opening, meaning that you can pay only $350 for an all-day camp. Remaining camp weeks in our 222 S. Prospect, Park Ridge, IL facility are:
Unscheduled Event “Ticket” Sales
Tournaments, Camps & Instruction
The chess industry has seen relatively few “flash” sales for chess services such as tournaments, camps, or instruction. This is understandable because organizers want to be fair and want to be perceived as fair by their clientele.
But chess is also like many other “ticketing” industries, where empty seats represent lost revenue and, over time, increased costs for everyone. Airlines, hotels, ticketing agencies, and businesses with fixed fees and empty seats are inefficient. So many other companies acceptably run flash sales at various times to encourage clients to use the available services, maximizing clients and revenue at any time. Businesses like Trivago make a living repurposing empty seats.
Caveman Chess wants to be financially efficient and continue to bring you the best experiences possible. Generally, the more players, campers, or students, the better the experience.
Consequently, Caveman Chess will sometimes have flash sales. A flash sale does not represent a refund opportunity to an already registered player. By registering early, you guarantee your price and your place in the event. We don’t know up front if we will have flash sales or not. But refunding existing “seats” undermines the purpose of a flash sale. Feel free to sit out until the last moment to see if we have a sale - but if we don’t, understand that you may end up paying a higher - rather than a lower - price.
Festival Updates from 2024:
Tournaments
2025 Hotel prices match those in 2024.
New systems connect tourney results to accounting to speed prize payments.
Tournament prizes will be paid within 10 business days - additional staff &system improvements ensure this.
Camp Updates from 2024:
Camp
Hotel prices are the same in 2025 for the camp as in 2024.
You may register for the hotel directly with the hotel, or through the camp to be assigned with campers of the same sex and similar age.
Other Important News:
General
Players in the festival tournaments can easily make it to the US Open via our $35 transport bus to the site hotel.
Please note the NOT JR/SR (“Medior”) tournament. We’ve had this tournament annually, and would like it to crack 100 entrants this year.
Caveman Chess Instruction, Events, Tournaments
Instruction & Competition
Caveman Chess provides instruction and competition. Unlike many providers, we provide education, not enrichment, using classical instruction, training methods, and modern computer techniques. Students will have assignments.
We teach players to do it right and do it well. They will know how to use a clock and keep notation so that they can share their tournament games and improve afterwards.
We offer classes, seminars, workshops, day and overnight camps and individual lessons. Each type of instruction meets different needs at different price points. Please see “Our Philosophy”, Camps & Workshops and Instructions and Credentials for more information.
Classes are weekly. Eventually, multiple sections of each course will be available weekly when students have conflicts. Our memberships program, provides discounted classes and tournaments for cost-effectiveness. Refer to the memberships page for pricing.
Camps, Tournaments & Events
June 2-6
June 9-13
June 16-20
June 23-27
Hotel Shuttle Bus from Chicago Class to Caveman Chess Camp
Caveman Chess Overnight Camp: July 20-25
US Junior, US Senior, and other events: July 25-27
Bus to US Open: July 27, 7:00 p.m.
Our Playing Sites
Tournaments under 100 players
Caveman Chess Center, Signature Building, 222 S. Prospect Avenue, Floor R, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tournaments of more than 100 players
Hilton-Chicago-Northbrook, 2855 Milwaukee Avenue, Northbrook, Illinois, 60062. Near Willow & I-294. Corner of Milwaukee & Winkleman.