The Woodbury Chess Club has been part of the community for generations. Club records document meetings at the Presbyterian Church on Broad and Center Streets dating back to 1942, and our roots extend even further. Today, we are proud to be recognized as the oldest continually operating chess club in New Jersey. Located in South Jersey, the club welcomes players from across the region, regularly attracting chess enthusiasts from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Our early history is further supported by a preserved newspaper clipping, validated by the Woodbury Historical Society as having been published on October 18, 1933. The article documents members of the Woodbury and Westville Chess Clubs forming the Gloucester County Chess Association, which met at the Woodbury YMCA and organized competitive team play. This remarkable find provides some of the earliest known evidence of organized chess activity involving the Woodbury Chess Club and underscores the club's long-standing presence in the community. Those interested in learning more can explore our Vintage Archives, which contain additional newspaper articles, photographs, letters, and other documents that help tell the story of the club's past.
Today, we continue to build on that legacy by bringing together players of all skill levels who share a passion for chess. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or just learning the game, we welcome you to join us for one of our many tournaments or for a relaxed evening of casual play, often referred to as "skittles."
