Yearly Impact
Latest News
& Updates
Congratulations to all of the students and schools who competed in the CPS K-8 Playoffs! We had an outstanding day…
More than 575 students from 122 schools competed in the 2026 Greater Chicago K-12 Chess Championship, hosted by the Renaissance…
Join us for the CPS K–8 North and South Playoffs — where rising stars from across the city battle for…
Join us for the Greater Chicago K–12 Championship — the Midwest’s premier scholastic chess event! This US Chess-rated tournament brings…
Celebrate Presidents Day with sharp moves and strategic thinking at the CPS Presidents Day Online Chess Tournament!This ChessKid-rated event brings…
The 2026 CPS Academic Chess High School Championship brought together the top scholastic chess players from across Chicago Public Schools…
Due to the current uncertainty surrounding the budget for the upcoming year, we are not in a position to make…
Due to the expected weather this weekend, we are rescheduling the CPS High School Chess Championship originally planned for this…
Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with strategy and sportsmanship at the CPS MLK Day Online Chess…
Thank you to all the students, coaches, and schools who participated in the Winter Online Chess Tournament. We had strong…
On Saturday, December 6, the Academic Chess community gathered for the 2025 CPS Kings & Queens Tournament — a celebration…
We’re excited to share a new series of short videos featuring our incredible CPS Academic Chess coaches! Hear their insights,…
Join us for the CPS Kings & Queens Tournament — a royal celebration of strategy, sportsmanship, and student excellence! This…
On Saturday November 15, the Academic Chess community came together once again for the 2025 CPS Knights Quest Tournament —…
Thank you to all the schools and students who participated in Tuesday CPS Fall Online Tournament! We had a total…
Join us for the CPS Knights Quest Tournament — an epic journey of strategy, growth, and determination!This US Chess-rated event…
On Saturday, October 25, our city’s brightest young chess talents gathered for the 2025 CPS All-Stars Tournament at Lincoln Park…
Join us for an exciting day of online competition as CPS Academic Chess hosts the Fall K-12 Online Chess Tournament…
Looking for more competitive action? Don’t miss the Chicago Prep Bowl Chess Tournament — a battle of strategy, teamwork, and…
Thank you to all the schools and students who participated in Monday’s CPS Season Opener Online Tournament! We had a…
Programs
What we Do
ACADEMIC CHESS
School chess clubs and competitive chess tournaments for K-12 students.
COPS & KIDS
Promoting non-violence and increase positive relationships with youth and police.
SUMMER KNIGHTS
Summer programming to continue building on the progress students make during the year.
CPS QUEENS
Bridging the gender divide in chess and empowering female high school chess leaders.
MISSION
To build community, foster social‑emotional development, and advance the educational achievement of Chicago’s youth through the transformative power of chess education.
VISION
A world where Chicago students are critical thinkers, empowered to make their own moves, succeed in college and career, and become leaders in their community.
Testimonials
What Our Students, Coaches, & Parents Say
It’s better to win as a team then win by yourself.
So grateful to be a part of the amazing community of chess in Chicago you and your team have built!
Chess at Bell is experiencing an incredible surge of interest this year. Our program has grown to 4 full classrooms (60+ students) every Monday — and still, demand far exceeds capacity. Registration closed within hours, leaving dozens of eager Bell students unable to join.
You might not get it on the first try but in chess you still can soar high.
I am seeing an entire cultural shift around chess at my school, with kids playing at indoor recess, and kids playing with grandparents and aunts and uncles. You are creating so many opportunities for so many students, and I just really appreciate it as a teacher, a mother of a chess kid, and as a Chicagoan.