Highlights of US Chess 2023-2024 Women’s Programming Grant Cycle

The US Chess 2023-2024 Women’s Programming Grant Cycle has been a resounding success, with organizations across the country utilizing their grants to engage women and girls in the game of chess. From hosting tournaments to running afterschool programs, the impact of these initiatives has been truly inspiring.

One standout highlight comes from the Berkeley Chess School, which used their grant to host the very first US Chess Senior Women’s Chess Championship. The event featured top U.S. senior women players and led to the United States sending its first women’s team to the 2024 World Senior Women’s Team Chess Championship in Poland.

Chess in the Schools (CIS) organized two girls-only tournaments in New York City, as well as running an afterschool chess program with personalized coaching for young female players. The Hampton Roads Chess Association in Virginia Beach hosted a variety of engaging events, including a weekly girls chess club and a mom-only tournament.

The Indermaur Chess Foundation in Raleigh, NC, hosted a Chess Moms tournament, while the Royal Oak Initiative in Columbus, OH, focused on serving Black and Latina middle-school-aged children with a curriculum that combined chess skill acquisition with culturally competent and social emotional learning practices.

Overall, the impact of the US Chess Women’s Programming Grant Cycle has been significant, with organizations successfully engaging women and girls in chess and expanding the reach of the game. As the 2024-2025 grant cycle approaches, chess programs are encouraged to apply and continue the momentum of this amazing initiative.