About

Chess for Success (CFS) is a 501(c)(3) youth development organization using the game of chess to help youth succeed in school and in life. Our mission is to develop community, connection, and confidence by learning and playing chess, helping students build the academic, social, and emotional skills necessary for future success. CFS is dedicated to helping k-12 students in Oregon, Southwest Washington, and Hawaii reach their full potential by mitigating the educational gaps in historically underserved communities including Title 1 and CEP Eligible Schools, low income, rural, and BIPOC communities.

    For 30 years CFS has used chess instruction and play to positively impact academic, social, and emotional learning in k-12 youth. Our programs provide youth of all backgrounds and abilities a safe place to learn and grow for the vital hours after school, offering a dynamic framework for success with a focus on equity and access for underserved populations. We currently work in 11 counties and operate 100 chess clubs  serving approximately 2700 students. The programs engage students in two to three hours of instruction and practice per week from October to March from chess coaches trained with our specialized curriculum and supported by regional coordinators. Chess instruction is the foundation of the programs and then we incorporate skills practiced in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - {mindfulness, acceptance of situations, emotional regulation, distress tolerance.}

By combining these skills with those traditionally taught in chess we aim to set the students up for success in school and in life by building resilience, critical thinking and self control.