Empowering Chicago students through the transformative power of chess
PROGRAMS
Academic
Chess
Academic Chess brings the power of chess to CPS elementary, middle, and high school students across Chicago. Students learn, play, and compete in after‑school clubs and tournaments that build both academic and life skills.
The program supports individual school chess clubs by assisting them in participating in CPS Academic Chess tournaments and events, and by providing the guidance, preparation, instruction, and resources needed for teams to compete successfully. We also provide support for select tournaments throughout the season.
Each year, CPS Academic Chess students participate in a full calendar of events, including the CPS City Playoffs, City Championship, State, and National tournaments.
Since its beginnings, Academic Chess has grown from fewer than 20 schools serving under 300 students into a citywide program reaching 125+ elementary, middle, and high schools. Today, more than 2,500 students annually learn, play, and compete in chess at no cost to families.
Many of the Academic Chess Programs at schools offer tiered coaching, in which instruction is offered at multiple levels of difficulty. The expansion of the Academic Chess Program along with expanded coaching has contributed to the competitive excellence seen CPS schools at local, state and national competitions.
📬 Want to learn more about the Academic Chess program? Reach out to David Heiser at daheiser@cps.edu
Student
Successes
Academic Chess students don’t just play the game—they excel on the local, state, and national stage. Their hard work, teamwork, and dedication have led to remarkable achievements that make Chicago Public Schools proud.
Highlights of Success
🏆 Earle STEM Academy – National Champions
🥇 Whitney Young High School – Top 3 in national high school chess competitions year after year
🎓 Dozens of CPS Academic Chess students have gone on to earn college scholarships, many citing chess as a catalyst for their academic success
🌍 Students represent Chicago at major events including the Greater Chicago K‑12 Championship, All‑Girls National Championship, and the Grade Level Nationals
Why It Matters
Behind every trophy is a story of growth:
Students developing strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills
Teams building community and leadership
Young people discovering new opportunities in education and beyond