86-Year-Old Retiree Launches Chicago Backgammon League

Jack Schacht brings back his passion for the classic game to Chicago and suburban venues.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Jack Schacht, an 86-year-old retiree from Warrenville, Illinois, is launching the Chicago Backgammon League, bringing his lifelong love of the classic game to new venues across the Chicago area. Schacht previously founded a network of backgammon clubs in the 1970s that had over 5,000 members, and now sees a resurgence of interest in the game nationwide.

Why it matters

Backgammon has seen a recent resurgence in popularity, with new clubs forming across the country. Schacht's Chicago Backgammon League aims to tap into this trend, providing a social outlet and competitive platform for both new and experienced players in the Chicago region.

The details

Schacht's Chicago Backgammon League will hold events at several venues, including the Parched Pug Gastropub and Gamery in Libertyville, Georgio's Chicago Pizzeria & Pub in South Barrington, and the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in Warrenville. The league will follow guidelines set by the U.S. Backgammon Federation, offering lessons and matched social play for beginners as well as competitive tournaments for more experienced players.

  • The league will debut on Wednesday, February 23, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Parched Pug Gastropub and Gamery in Libertyville.
  • Additional events are scheduled for March 2, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Georgio's Chicago Pizzeria & Pub in South Barrington, and March 25, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in Warrenville.

The players

Jack Schacht

An 86-year-old retiree from Warrenville, Illinois who previously founded a network of backgammon clubs in the 1970s with over 5,000 members. He is now launching the Chicago Backgammon League to tap into the recent resurgence of interest in the game.

Mark Carlson

The owner of the Parched Pug Gastropub and Gamery in Libertyville, where the Chicago Backgammon League will hold its debut event. Carlson sees backgammon as a natural fit for his business, which focuses on elevated bar food and providing a fun gaming experience.

Ben Friesen

The president of the U.S. Backgammon Federation, who has observed a real resurgence of backgammon clubs and interest in the game across the United States.

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What they’re saying

“What we're seeing with the Chicago Backgammon League is part of a real resurgence of backgammon in the United States: Clubs forming, weekly meetups filling up and new players discovering the joy of live play.”

— Ben Friesen, President, U.S. Backgammon Federation (dailyherald.com)

“Two areas we focus on are elevated bar food and having fun.”

— Mark Carlson, Owner, Parched Pug Gastropub and Gamery (dailyherald.com)

What’s next

The Chicago Backgammon League plans to continue hosting events at various venues across the Chicago area, providing opportunities for both new and experienced players to enjoy the classic game.

The takeaway

At 86 years old, Jack Schacht's passion for backgammon has been reignited, leading him to launch the Chicago Backgammon League and tap into the nationwide resurgence of interest in the game. His efforts aim to bring together a community of players, both new and seasoned, to enjoy the social and competitive aspects of this timeless strategy game.