Photo: johhnyscars via flickr

Angelo Young has been one of Illinois's most prominent chess personalities for many years.  The Philippine native, who makes his home in Chicago, is the current and six-time state chess champion. 

But more than that, since 2006 he has been the owner and proprietor of the Touch Move Chess Center (TMCC) on Chicago's North Ashland Ave.  The club's mission, says Angelo, is to "revitalize the chess club scene in Chicago [and to provide] a quality environment for chess socialization through friendly play."

It seems to be working. In the time it's been open, TMCC has given the Chicago chess community its first major center in many years.  In addition to instruction, lectures, and casual play, it's been the venue for a series of FIDE-sanctioned tournaments by the North American Chess Association in which top players from around the United States and the world have earned IM and GM norms. 

It's also given the Blaze a place to play.