When I moved to Toronto I found a local roleplaying group and if possible that crowd has an even bigger set of people lacking certain social skills. Despite that, I met most of my friendship group in Toronto through the people I met at that group.

You don't go to the boardgame group because everyone there will be your ideal friendship candidate. You go to find a few people who you get on well with, then invite them over to your place or to some common ground for boardgames (or other mutually enjoyable activity) outside of the group and without the socially inept.