Chicago Academic Chess https://cpschess.org Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:32:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://cpschess.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AC-Logo.png Chicago Academic Chess https://cpschess.org 32 32 High School Election Judges Needed in Chicago https://cpschess.org/high-school-election-judges-needed-in-chicago/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:32:36 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7635 The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners is seeking high school juniors and seniors to serve as Election Judges for the November 3, 2026 General Election.

This is a great opportunity for students to participate firsthand in the democratic process, gain valuable civic experience, and earn up to $230 for their service.

Student requirements include:

  • Live in Cook County
  • Be a high school junior or senior
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Complete in-person training
  • Obtain written parent/guardian and principal approval

Application deadline: September 29, 2026

Students can learn more and apply at pollworker.chicagoelections.gov.

Questions may be directed to hsjudge@chicagoelections.gov or 312-269-7985.

]]> CPS CHESS PARENTS — JOIN US! https://cpschess.org/cps-chess-parents-join-us/ Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:30:18 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7557 Whether your child is brand new to scholastic chess or already an active player, our Chess Parent Seminar is a great way to learn more about the CPS Academic Chess Program and how you can support your child’s success!

During this online session, we’ll cover:

♟ CPS Academic Chess Program — how school chess programs work and what students can gain from participating

🏆 Tournaments — how events are structured, what to expect on tournament day, qualification, and how parents can help

💻 ChessKid & Online Tools — how students can practice at home, track their progress, and stay engaged between club meetings

Choose from two online sessions:

📅 Thursday, September 17
🕠 5:30–6:30 PM CT

OR

📅 Wednesday, September 23
🕠 5:30–6:30 PM CT

💻 Online via Zoom

Parents only need to attend one session.

👉 Learn more & register:

Help your young chess player make the most of the season—we hope to see you there! ♟

]]> NEW TO CPS ACADEMIC CHESS? JOIN US! https://cpschess.org/new-to-cps-academic-chess-join-us/ Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:24:59 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7553 Are you a new chess coach or is your school new to CPS Academic Chess? Our upcoming Seminar for New Coaches & Schools is designed to help you get your program off to a successful start!

📅 Monday, September 21
🕠 5:30–7:00 PM CT
💻 Virtual via Zoom

This introductory seminar will take a deeper look at what you need to know to successfully launch and manage your school’s chess program, including:

♟ CPS Academic Chess program structure and goals
♟ Coach and school responsibilities
♟ Program requirements and expectations
♟ Tournament opportunities
♟ Resources available to coaches and students
♟ Tips for successfully running your school chess program

This session is specifically designed for coaches and schools new to the program and is a great opportunity to ask questions and become familiar with CPS Academic Chess before the season gets underway.

👉 Advance registration is required.

Learn more & register:

We look forward to welcoming our new coaches and schools and helping you have a successful chess season! ♟

]]> ACADEMIC CHESS COACHES — ANNUAL MEETING https://cpschess.org/academic-chess-coaches-annual-meeting/ Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:18:33 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7551 Our 2026–2027 Annual Academic Chess Coaches Meeting is coming up!

📅 Wednesday, September 16
🕠 5:30–7:00 PM CT
💻 Virtual via Zoom

We’ll cover important updates for the new chess season, including:

♟ ASPEN requirements
♟ Coach payment procedures
♟ Tournament participation requirements
♟ Important program updates and expectations
♟ And much more!

Attendance at one of the annual coaches meetings is mandatory, and advance registration is required. Each coach attending must register individually.

Can’t make September 16? A second session will be offered Tuesday, September 22, from 5:30–7:00 PM CT.

👉 Meeting details & registration:

We look forward to seeing everyone and kicking off another great year of CPS Academic Chess! ♟

]]> 2026 Coaching Workshops https://cpschess.org/2026-coaching-workshops/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:09:43 +0000 https://cpschess.org/?p=7313 We have updated our 2026 Workshop schedule. See the event calander for complete list of workshops dates and topics.

]]> 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.

View Flyer

]]> 2026-2027 CHESS PROGRAM LOI https://cpschess.org/2026-2027-chess-program-loi/ Sat, 13 Jun 2026 15:22:00 +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

]]> 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

]]>