cpschess.orgChicago's Premier Chess Program – providing CPS students the opportunity to learn, play, & compete

Chicago’s Premier Chess Program – providing CPS students the opportunity to learn, play, & compete in chess Chicago’s Premier Chess Program providing CPS students the opportunity to learn, play, & compete in chess Menu Home About Impact Our Curriculum Why Chess Our Team Programs Academic Chess Cops & Kids Chess Initiative Summer Chess Experience Chess Queens First Move Contact Events Events Calendar Past Events USCF Rating Reports ChessKid Resources Donate Today Scroll down to content Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess Welcome to the Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess website. This website provides information on the Chicago chess program to players, coaches, parents and schools. JUNE 10 – 14 SUMMER CHESS CAMPS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADE 7-12 Come join the fun in our free and exciting 1-week chess camps. Students need to have previous chess experience and must hav... Read More 2024 – 2025 Academic Chess Key Dates The CPS Department of Academic Competition is pleased to announce its chess program offerings for SY 2024-2025. We are delighted to afford these dynam... Read More May 21 – Tuesday Knights Rapid Our weekly online chess tournament takes place weekly on Tuesdays at 6PM and held online through ChessKid. The tournament is open to all all CPS stude... Read More About Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess provides students from diverse communities across the city with the opportunity to learn, play, and compete in chess at no cost. Our programs focus on the integration of social, emotional, and academic development to give students a better chance of thriving in school, career, and life. Our students participate in after school chess clubs and compete in tournaments throughout the year including at the CPS Academic Chess play-offs and Championships, City of Chicago Championship, State and National tournaments. The CPS Chess programing is separated into five categories: Academic Chess Cops & Kids Chess Initiative Summer Programming Chess Queens First Moves The CPS Academic Chess Program is a partnership between CPS Academic Competition Department and the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation. We need your assistance as we continue to build and expand our thriving chess programs. Donations helps advance the work of the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation with CPS, while your support as a volunteer, coach or mentor helps our chess club and chess team. GET INVOLVED TODAY! Programs UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS & EVENTS ACADEMIC CHESS After-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 CAMP Through summer programing we are able to extend the work we do during the summer CHESS QUEENS Bridging the gender divide in chess and empowering female high school chess leaders FIRST MOVES In the classroom chess program for 2nd and 3rd grade students during the school day Impact 50,000+ Students Taught 150+ Schools in Chicago 14+ Tournaments Annually School Year 21-22 Academic Chess Program 88 Schools and 1200 students total 47 elementary schools = 950 students 21 high schools = 250 students Participation in weekly classes between October – March & in 3 or more chess competitions 670 players from 59 schools participated in the CPS Championships 490 students from 54 schools attended the City Championship 244 Students from 24 schools attended the US Chess Federation’s High School National Championship Cops & Kids Chess Initiative 18 Schools 270 5- 12 th grade students 25 weekly classes between October – March & in 2 chess competitions & year end event 100 students from 25 schools, and 30 police officers participated in the annual tournament at CPD headquarters 140 students from 16 schools, and 32 police officers participated in the year end event 3-week summer camp for 20 High School students 2-week summer camp for 35 5-8th graders Tournaments All Stars K-12 Junior Prep Bowl K-8 Cops & Kids 5-12 High School Championship 9-12 Kings & Queens K-8 K-8 Playoffs K-8 Championship Cops & Kids Culmination Greater Chicago Championship IHSA State Championship High School Nationals All-Girls Nationals North American Youth Championship African-American standouts reap benefits of chess Our Curriculum Teaching Chess, Step by Step – Teacher’s Manual and Student Exercise Book Few materials exist to help the classroom teacher who has never played chess or knows only some chess. This manual was designed to address this deficiency. It is written in a manner that allows the teacher to see how to present the material in his or her classroom. This manual will lead a group of beginning students from the rudiments of chess rules to the ability of playing a full game in a competent manner. These books are the fruit of the combined experience of writers and an editor from the fields of education and chess. Authors Igor Khmelnitsky is an International Master and author of the best-selling books Chess Exam and Training Guide and Chess Exam and Training Guide: Tactics. Michael Khodarkovsky is an experienced chess instructor and executive director of the Kasparov Chess Foundation. Michael Zadorozny is an experienced chess instructor and author of the best-selling book Learning to Checkmate. The Chess GPS Series The Chess GPS” is a series of books designed for more effective focusing the player’s energy and creative skills in the right direction. Volume 1 – Improvement This book helps players find their chess individuality, as well as present them with other tools to help improve their game. One of the main tasks of this book is to increase efficiency with which players can utilize their knowledge, experience, imagination, and creativity. The associative array of well-chosen examples, allows the player to better understand numerous chess strategic problems, and comprehend the responsibility that comes with choosing a chess move. Authors Sam Palatnik is a Ukrainian-American chess Grandmaster and author of numerous best-selling chess books including the Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player series. Michael Khodarkovsky is an experienced chess instructor and executive director of the Kasparov Chess Foundation. Volume 2 – Your Move – Your Choice This book delves into the set of requirements declared when choosing a chess move. A common coaching mistake is recommending that students concentrate on finding the best,” strongest” move during the game. Instead, this book encourages readers to choose the more important move in their opinion among other useful moves. In the end, the player can try to improve the situation on the board, as he sees it at the moment, based on his experience, knowledge, intuition, and inspiration; this will be the important move that he has the right to make and will be able to justify in the future, while shouldering the responsibility of choosing his own” move. Authors Sam Palatnik is a Ukrainian-American chess Grandmaster and author of numerous best-selling chess books including the Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player series. Michael Khodarkovsky is an experienced chess instructor and executive director of the Kasparov Chess Foundation. Why Chess We believe in the power of chess to change lives. To date, we have taught more than 50,000 of Chicago’s most underserved children, inspiring them to greater achievement. Each day, we are proud to help kids grow, one move at a time. Our impact is demonstrated by classroom teachers and student responses to our annual surveys: 94% Chess had a meaningful positive impact on students. 91% Chess developed students’ analytical and logical skills. 89% Chess improved students’ math skills. 94% Chess helped my students concentrate better. 91% Girls and boys are equally interested in chess in my class. 97% Off students want to participate in chess next year. 93% Chess enhanced my students’ cooperation skills. Our Team Arlecia Taylor Director Academic Competition Office of Student Support & Engagement ajtaylor@cps.edu...