Young Leaders Chess Club

The program serves youth from grades 3 through 10 and is held weekly throughout the school year. Sessions are currently offered in-person at our designated community site, with plans to expand to mobile and embedded formats within partner schools and community centers.

Key activities include:

• Group instruction and individual coaching sessions with experienced chess mentors
• Peer-led tournaments to foster leadership and teamwork
• Lessons that connect chess strategy to life skills such as patience, foresight, and emotional regulation
• Parent engagement workshops to reinforce learning at home

Each session runs for 90 minutes, incorporating warm-ups, instruction, gameplay, and reflection.

Short-term goals include:

• Increased student confidence and decision-making skills
• Improved concentration, memory, and academic performance
• Strengthened social bonds and reduced social anxiety through peer collaboration

Long-term goals include:

• Breaking cycles of disengagement by connecting students with mentors and positive outlets
• Developing future leaders who think critically and act with integrity
• Supporting whole-family engagement by involving caregivers in the learning process

Since its pilot, the Young Leaders Chess Club has welcomed dozens of students, many of whom had never played chess before. One parent shared, "My son never thought of himself as a leader—now he’s teaching his younger cousins how to play. It’s changed how he sees himself."

Preliminary outcomes show a 20% increase in participants’ school attendance and reported self-esteem after just one semester. This program has proven to be especially impactful for youth navigating high-stress environments or who are struggling academically. By anchoring learning in a respectful, intellectually stimulating space, we are reinforcing a message that every child deserves the chance to thrive.