Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc./

Baltimore City School Chess Education Project

In 2003, the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) launched a chess project that now engages more than 800 children in 55 elementary, middle, and high schools.  The project has received support and five grants from The Abell Foundation totaling $175,000.  The Baltimore City Public School Chess Education Project partners with the Center for Talented Youth at the Johns Hopkins University and the local Baltimore Kids Chess League. 

The BCPSS Chess Education Project enables Baltimore City students in K-12 to learn chess and practice once or twice a week, after school or during lunch, under the guidance of individual coaches – typically teachers, staff, or community members. Participants have the opportunity to compete in local novice chess tournaments throughout the city with a culminating citywide chess tournament in May at the Center for Talented Youth. Each year, a number of Chess Education Project students are awarded scholarships to attend USA Chess Camp during the summer.

With the rapid growth of the chess project, students in Baltimore City public schools have taken their place in the rigorous competition of statewide chess tournaments and in spring 2008 in national tournaments.  Teams from Baltimore City swept the 2008 Maryland Girls Chess Tournament, and for the first time ever, three city teams represented Baltimore at the 2008 National Chess Tournament.  The Foundation expects the number of schools and students participating in the BCPSS Chess Education Project to expand to include more middle and high school students.

Access the website for Baltimore Kids Chess League.