On March 15, 2025, the CPS Elementary Chess Championship took place at Westinghouse High School, bringing together 126 players from 23 schools for an intense day of strategic battles. The competition was fierce, with the city’s best young chess players displaying skill, resilience, and determination to claim the championship titles.
From tactical sacrifices to brilliant endgame finishes, every round was a test of strategy as players fought for the top spots in their respective divisions. After a day of mind-bending matchups, the final standings emerged, crowning this year’s CPS K-8 Champions.
🏅 K-4 Individual Champions – Daniel Yang – Decatur Classical
🏅 K-8 Individual Champions – Alec Shao – Whitney Young Academic Center
🏆 K-8 Team Champions – Whitney Young Academic Center
A huge congratulations to all the winners and participants for an outstanding display of skill and sportsmanship! Special thanks to all the coaches, parents, and tournament staff who made this event possible.
For detailed standings, please visit the officialresults page.
🏆♟️ Get Ready for the CPS K-8 Championship This Weekend! ♟️🏆
The stage is set for an exciting weekend of chess as students from across Chicago compete in the CPS K-8 Championship! This prestigious tournament brings together the city’s top young players for a day of strategy, competition, and sportsmanship.
To all the participants—stay focused, think ahead, and play with confidence! No matter the outcome, every move you make helps you grow as a player.
🔹 When: March 15 🔹 Where: Westinghouse High School 🔹 Who: CPS K-8 students ready to showcase their skills!
Best of luck to all competitors! 🏅 Make your best moves and enjoy the game.
Chess in Chicago wouldn’t be the same without the dedication and passion of our incredible coaches! At the CPS K-8 North & South Playoffs, we had the honor of recognizing three exceptional individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Chicago Public Schools’ Academic Chess Program.
🏆 Toby Baker (Skinner North School) – Coach of the Year Award Presented in appreciation for dedicated service as a Chess Coach with the Chicago Public Schools’ Academic Chess Program.
🏆 Howard Fishbein (Dirksen School) – Tom Larson Award Presented in recognition and appreciation for contributions towards the success of the Chicago Public Schools’ Academic Chess Program.
🏆 Aaron Gonzalez (Daley School) – Sylvia Nelson Jordan Award for Excellence Presented to a chess student for their excellence both on and off the chessboard.
Congratulations to these well-deserving honorees for their hard work, leadership, and commitment to growing chess in Chicago! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many students. 👏♟️
The 2025 CPS K-8 North & South Playoffs brought together Chicago’s top young chess players for a thrilling competition! Players demonstrated skill, strategy, and determination, battling for a chance to advance to the CPS K-8 Championship on March 15.
🔥 Congratulations to all the teams and individuals who competed! Special recognition goes to those who secured their spots in the Championship—your hard work and dedication are paying off!
A big thank you to coaches, families, and volunteers who made this event possible. Your support continues to grow the game of chess and empower students across the city!
We are thrilled to announce the exceptional achievements of our Chicago Public Schools (CPS) chess teams at the 2025 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Chess Finals, held on February 14-15 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Our CPS teams demonstrated remarkable skill and dedication throughout the tournament. Notably, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School secured the State Championship, showcasing their commitment to excellence in chess. Additionally, Walter Payton College Preparatory High School achieved a commendable tied for second place [fourth-place finish on tie-breaks], further highlighting the strength of our CPS chess programs.
These accomplishments reflect the hard work of our students and the unwavering support from parents and coaches. Your dedication plays a pivotal role in fostering a thriving chess community within our schools.
Other CPS team placements out of 128 teams:
Lane Tech – 12th
Northside Prep – 15th
Jone College Prep – 22nd
Taft HS – 57th
Mather HS – 60th
Lincoln Park HS – 67th
Kelly HS – 70th
Brooks HS – 81st
Hancock HS – 88th
Acero Garcis HS – 118th
For a complete overview of the tournament results, please visit the IHSA’s official page:
This past weekend, 673 players from 142 schools competed in the largest and most prestigious US Chess-rated scholastic tournament in Illinois! Of these players, 527 came from 68 Chicago Public Schools, showcasing the incredible depth of talent in our city.
As Chicago’s official chess championship, we are proud to recognize the top individuals and teams from Chicago in each championship section as our City Champions:
🏅 Team Champions: 🏆 Lane Tech H.S. – K-12 Division 🏆 Whitney Young A.C. – K-8 Division 🏆 Skinner North – K-6 Division 🏆 Skinner North – K-4 Division
A huge thank you to SBB Research Group Foundation for their generous support in making this event possible! Your commitment to education and youth development helps us continue to provide meaningful opportunities for Chicago’s young chess players.
Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and schools for an incredible tournament! 🎉 Your dedication and hard work continue to make Chicago a powerhouse in scholastic chess.
📢 Calling All CPS Academic Elementary Chess Players! ♟️🏆
The CPS North and South K-8 Playoffs are almost here! 🏁 Get ready to compete against the best young chess minds in Chicago and battle for a chance to advance to the CPS Elementary K-12 Championship on March 15!
Who can participate? Each school registered as a CPS Academic Chess school may send up to 15 players to compete. Visit the event page for details on how to register.
📅 Registration Opens: February 10 ⏳ Registration Closes: February 19 at Noon
Be sure to register on time to secure your spot!
This is your chance to test your skills, challenge yourself, and move one step closer to becoming a CPS Chess Champion! Don’t miss it!
♟️ Join Our Presidents Day Online Chess Tournament! ♟️
Are you ready to test your skills and compete with other chess enthusiasts? We are thrilled to host our Presidents Day Online Chess Tournament – a perfect opportunity to sharpen your strategy and enjoy a competitive, friendly chess environment!
Tournament Highlights: ✨ 5-round individual Swiss ✨ 2 sections: Elementary (K-6) & Middle/High School (7-12) sections ✨ Awards for 1st-3rd place in each section
Tournament Details 📅 Dates: Monday, February 17 🕙 Start Time: 10:00 AM 📍 Location: Online – Join from anywhere! 🏆 Who Can Join: Open to all CPS students in grades K-12 who have a ChessKid account associated with the CPS City-Wide Chess Club
The 15th Annual Greater Chicago K-12 Chess Championship is almost here! Join us on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at McCormick Place for the most prestigious chess tournament in Chicago.
📍 Who can participate? Any CPS Students in grades K-12; See the event page on how to register. Registration must be completed by January 29.
🏅 Categories:
Primary (K-4)
Elementary (K-6)
Junior High (K-8)
High School (K-12)
The top Chicago student in each championship section will earn not only a trophy but also the honor of being recognized as a City of Chicago Champion!
👑♟️ Calling All Chess Enthusiasts! Register for the Kings & Queens Tournament! ♟️👑
Registration for the Kings & Queens Tournament opens on Monday, January 6, and closes at noon on Wednesday, January 15. 🗓️ Don’t miss this chance to participate in one of the most exciting chess events of the year!
📍 Location: Simeon High School 🏆 Format: Individual competition with team awards
This tournament is a fantastic opportunity for students to sharpen their skills, challenge their minds, and compete in a fun and dynamic environment!
