Preparing young minds for the future through chess.
Empowering female chess leaders to increase chess accessibility and build community.
Queens United Chess
Queens United is bridging the gender divide in chess and empowering female high school chess leaders.
Through our organization’s introductory chess instruction, club meetings, and leadership councils, we foster an inclusive environment for all students and work to expand the chess community.
Learn about our organization!
Watch this 1-minute video to learn more about our organization, what programs we offer, and how you can get involved.
Check out our feature in
WBEZ News!
Queens United Chess was recently highlighted in a WBEZ article. Read and listen to the mini-podcast episode feature here.
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Please consider donating to help us to support providing free chess programming for Chicago youth.
Only 1 in 7 U.S. competitive chess players are female.
At Queens United Chess, we aim to empower girls to recognize their potential in the competitive chess community through the three F’s.
Fostering female leaders
Forming sisterhood
Facilitating change
Why Learn Chess?
Education
Studies show that chess improves critical thinking skills and memory, aiding one’s education.
Community
The unique community of competitive chess players through tournaments and travel remains for life.
Accomplishment
Competing in chess tournaments and winning games is rewarding, both individually and as a team.
Join the Ambassador Team!
If you are an ambitious female student in 8th grade, high school or college, and knowledgeable about chess or experienced with competitive chess, we encourage you to apply to become a Queens United Ambassador and help spread the mission of bridging the gender divide in chess through a variety of programs!
Within this time-flexible role, you may teach introductory chess lessons to elementary classes and help plan/host chess meetings for younger students. You will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, advance in the organization, and gain access to paid-internships. Applications are open year-round.
Learn more about our partnership with Chicago Public Schools
In Winter/Spring 2021, Queens United Chess joined forces with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation to develop the CPS Chess Queens Initiative.
CPS Chess Queens is a year-round program intended to empower female chess leaders, foster an inclusive and engaging environment for girls, and expand the chess community. This program aims to increase engagement opportunities for Chicago youth from diverse communities by employing female high school students to serve as mentors and role models in chess programs.
