Chicago Academic Chess https://cpschess.org Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:32:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://cpschess.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AC-Logo.png Chicago Academic Chess https://cpschess.org 32 32 2026-2027 CHESS PROGRAM LOI https://cpschess.org/2026-2027-chess-program-loi/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:22:51 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7319 The CPS Department of Academic Competition is pleased to announce the 2026–2027 CPS Academic Chess Program. We are excited to continue providing students from schools across Chicago with opportunities to develop their chess skills, represent their schools in competitive play, and participate in a program that promotes critical thinking, sportsmanship, teamwork, and academic achievement.

Schools wishing to participate in the 2026–2027 Academic Chess Program must complete the Academic Chess Letter of Intent using the link below. Schools that submit a Letter of Intent will be added to the official Academic Chess program roster and will receive important program communications, tournament schedules, registration information, coach training opportunities, and other updates throughout the school year.

The Academic Chess Program supports individual school chess clubs by providing opportunities to compete in CPS Academic Chess tournaments and events, along with guidance, resources, and training for coaches. Participating schools are responsible for establishing and maintaining their own school chess club and identifying a coach or sponsor to oversee the program.

Note: All in-person CPS Academic Chess tournaments for the 2026–2027 school year will be held at Manley High School.

Click here to complete the 2026–2027 Academic Chess Letter of Intent (LOI)

List of Schools that have completed the LOI as of July 12

]]> 2026 Coaching Workshops https://cpschess.org/2026-coaching-workshops/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:09:43 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7313 We are excited to announce that all 2026 Coaching Workshops have been posted at CPS Chess and will be accessible online via Zoom. We encourage all new and existing Coaches to attend.

Registration for our workshops & seminars will open in mid-August.

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]]> 2026-2027 In-Person Tournaments https://cpschess.org/2026-2027-in-person-tournaments/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:44:58 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7307 We are thrilled to announce that all 2026–27 Academic Chess in-person tournaments will be hosted at Manley Career Academy High School, providing a consistent, centrally located venue throughout the season.

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]]> Spring K-12 Online Tournament (Mar 17) https://cpschess.org/spring-k-12-online-tournament-mar-17/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:39:37 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7107 Step into spring with the CPS Spring Online Chess Tournament!
As the season changes, it’s time to renew your focus and test your growth. This ChessKid-rated online event brings together students from across the CPS Academic Chess Program for one final virtual showdown before the school year ends.

Bloom, battle, and make your move this spring.

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
🕘Round 1 Start Time: 10:00 AM (CT)
📍 Platform: ChessKid.com

👉Click here for full details

▶View video on how to join a ChessKid tournament

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action this Presidents Day!

]]> Champions Crowned at the 2026 CPS K-8 Chess Championship https://cpschess.org/champions-crowned-at-the-2026-cps-k-8-chess-championship/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:15:50 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7103 The 2026 CPS K-8 Chess Championship brought together 117 students from 23 Chicago Public Schools for an exciting day of competition. Players from across the city competed in the K-4, K-6, and K-8 championship sections, battling through five rounds to determine this year’s individual and team champions.

The event showcased the continued growth and strength of the CPS Academic Chess program, with students demonstrating strong preparation, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit throughout the tournament.

👉 Full tournament results & photos:
https://results.cpschess.org/index.php/2025-2026/2026-cps-k-8-championship/

Below are the 2026 CPS K-8 Individual and Team Champions.

🏆 Individual Champions

K-4 Champion
Daniel Yang – Decatur Classical Elementary (5.0 points)

K-6 Champion
Miesen Yang – Skinner North Elementary (5.0 points)

K-8 Champion
Maxwell Kozlowski – Mount Greenwood (5.0 points)

♟ Team Champions

K-4 Team Champion
Edison Regional Gifted Center – 15.5 points

K-6 Team Champion
Skinner North Elementary – 15.5 points

K-8 Team Champion
Skinner North Elementary – 13.5 points

👏 Congratulations to all of the players, coaches, and schools who participated!

Your dedication continues to make CPS Academic Chess one of the strongest scholastic chess programs in the country.

]]> K-8 Playoffs Recap & Championship Qualifiers! https://cpschess.org/k-8-playoffs-recap-championship-qualifiers/ Sun, 01 Mar 2026 14:34:18 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7062 Congratulations to all of the students and schools who competed in the CPS K-8 Playoffs! We had an outstanding day of competitive chess, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Our players represented their schools with focus, determination, and respect both at the board and throughout the playing halls.

We are especially proud to recognize the teams and individual players who have qualified to advance to the CPS K-8 Championship!

📅 Saturday, March 14
📍 Westinghouse College Prep High School

Advancing to the Championship is a major accomplishment. Earning a place in this event means your performance placed you among the top scholastic players in Chicago Public Schools this season.

To those moving on — prepare, study, and come ready. The city championship title will be decided across the board!

To all players who competed: your effort, improvement, and sportsmanship matter just as much as trophies. We are proud of every student who represented their school and participated in the CPS Academic Chess community.

♜ Make your moves count — we’ll see you at Westinghouse! ♜

👉 CLICK HERE FOR STANDINGS & PHOTOS

ADVANCEMENT TO ELEMENTARY CHAMPIONSHIP

  • Teams: The top three (3) teams from each playoff section qualify
  • Individuals: The top four (4) individual players from each playoff section whose teams did not qualify also advance
ADVANCING TEAMS
SECTIONNORTHSOUTH
Junior High K-8Skinner NorthWhitney Young AC
 BatemanGallistel
 BrentanoKinzie
   
Intermediate K-6HawthorneCarson
 Skinner NorthKeller
 Edison RGCKinzie
   
Primary K-4Edison RGCSTEM Magnet
 DecaturCarson
 Skinner NorthKeller
   
ADVANCING INDIVIDUALS
SECTIONNORTHSOUTH
Junior High K-8Munkhtur, Esen – LincolnKozlowski, Maxwell – Mt Greenwood
 Apostolopoulos, Georgios – AlcottYau, Justin – STEM
 Milewski, Alex – Taft ACChan, Jacob – Keller
 Lal, Aariyana – Edison RGCTam, Elan – STEM
   
Intermediate K-6Anand, Sai – BeaubienCampuzano, Mia – Sadlowski
 Syed, Mohammed – ArmstrongLiang, Elvis – STEM
 Varde, Schueler – BellCampa, Eribento – Nightingale
 Apostolopoulos, Christos – AlcottKong, Liam – STEM
   
Primary K-4Michura, Adam – LincolnSantibanez, David – Kinzie
 Menendez, Leo – BlaineAlmaraz, Gabriel – Hammond
 Villadiego, Avery – McPhersonEstrada, Emmanuel – Nightingale
 Ramacciotti, Greta – McPhersonRamirez, Abraham – Nightingale

]]> Greater Chicago Recap https://cpschess.org/greater-chicago-recap/ Sun, 22 Feb 2026 22:51:04 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7051 More than 575 students from 122 schools competed in the 2026 Greater Chicago K-12 Chess Championship, hosted by the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, brought together hundreds of students from schools across the Chicago area for a full day of scholastic competition. Players in elementary, junior high, and high school sections competed in multiple rated rounds, demonstrating sportsmanship, strategic thinking, and academic focus. The event served not only as a major competitive tournament but also as a special experience for many school chess teams, allowing students to represent their schools in a positive academic activity while interacting with peers from across the city and region. Awards were presented to top individuals and teams, recognizing both competitive achievement and participation in one of the largest scholastic chess events held annually in Illinois.

👉 CLICK HERE FOR STANDINGS & PHOTOS

]]> CPS K–8 North and South Playoffs (Feb 28) https://cpschess.org/cps-k-8-north-and-south-playoffs-feb-28/ Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:22:00 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7039 Join us for the CPS K–8 North and South Playoffs — where rising stars from across the city battle for a spot in the Championship!

This US Chess-rated tournament brings together top players from each region of the CPS Academic Chess Program for a full day of strategic play, school pride, and playoff excitement

🎓 This tournament is exclusively for students from schools participating in the Academic Chess Program♟

📅 Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
📍 Location: Senn High School
📝 Registration: By Academic Chess coaches only from February 9 – Noon on February 18.

👉 CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

]]> Greater Chicago K-12 Championship (Feb 21) https://cpschess.org/greater-chicago-k-12-championship-feb-21/ Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:20:43 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7041 Join us for the Greater Chicago K–12 Championship — the Midwest’s premier scholastic chess event!

This US Chess-rated tournament brings together students from across the region for a full day of intense competition, school pride, and a chance to be crowned a City of Chicago Champion.

🎓 This tournament is open to all CPS students, including those from schools participating in the Academic Chess Program as well as those from non-participating schools. See below for complete details and restrictions. ♟

📅 Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
📍 Location: McCormick Place
📝 Registration: See event page for details on registration options

👉 CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

]]> Presidents Day K-12 Online Tournament (Feb 16) https://cpschess.org/presidents-day-k-12-online-tournament-feb-16/ Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:05:56 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7037 Celebrate Presidents Day with sharp moves and strategic thinking at the CPS Presidents Day Online Chess Tournament!
This ChessKid-rated event brings together students from the CPS Academic Chess Program for a day of online competition and critical thinking — the perfect way to spend the holiday honing your skills and representing your school.

Think boldly. Play smart. Make your move this Presidents Day.

📅 Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
🕘Round 1 Start Time: 10:00 AM (CT)
📍 Platform: ChessKid.com

👉Click here for full details

▶View video on how to join a ChessKid tournament

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action this Presidents Day!

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