School-Based Competitive Chess Club

Chess Club Commitment

Scholars on their school’s chess team must participate in two hours of practice every Wednesday after school, as well as a minimum of 12 weekend tournaments consisting of a mixture of Success Academy-hosted and local external tournaments.

Attendance at Success Academy–hosted tournaments is critical to the success of the program, as each club is competing for a spot in state and national chess tournaments. Chess teams will compete in a series of Success Academy–hosted tournaments, and will also have the opportunity to play in high-stakes tournaments. Top-ranking teams will earn the opportunity to compete in state and national tournaments. Scholars who compete in these events will be selected by their coaches in advance. Families will receive notification that their scholar has been selected. See Chess Club Eligibility Requirements for Participation in High-Stakes Events for state and national tournament selection criteria. 

Finally, to ensure that our club participants gain the skill sets needed to compete, homework is provided to supplement after-school practices. Parents must be aware of all the required homework for our club scholars and ensure that scholars have completed it. Scholars are expected to complete “tactics” homework. Tactics are a series of moves in chess that “win material” from the opponent. Solving chess tactics puzzles is essential to scholar improvement in chess.

Chess Club Events

Club Eligibility Requirements for Selection for Local, Travel, and High-Stakes Events
Scholars who are selected to participate in these events are chosen not only on their ability to demonstrate adherence to Success Academy academic and behavioral performance expectations, but also on their exceptional talent within their school community and Network community.

Elementary School Chess Events