Baltimore Kid's Chess League

Description

Baltimore City Chess Project is an after-school chess program formed in 2003 we formed in partnership with the Abell Foundation and Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS). The core of the Project is the development of after-school chess clubs throughout Baltimore City Public Schools. In three years, the Project has grown rapidly to now include 1034 students from 60 Baltimore City public schools. In 2007-08, the Project expanded to include chess club development in 10 Middle Schools.

BKCL Chess Tournaments are held periodically throughout the academic year to give kids the experience of playing in a competitive, yet friendly environment and test out their newly developed chess skills. To encourage broad based participation, most tournaments are held on Saturday mornings and admission is typically free for BCPSS students. In 2006-07, 450 students participated in our tournaments, making it necessary for us to find a larger space to accommodate chess players and their supporters. Although our tournaments have been aimed at novice chess players, the demand for tournaments for advanced players has steadily grown. This next academic year we will host a few smaller tournaments for the advanced player.

Summer Chess Camp - In the summer of 2007, we partnered with USA Chess to host a week long Chess Camp for BCPSS students at Cross Country Elementary School. 27 children from 12 different elementary schools attend every year.