Announcement: The third annual First Responders tournament will be on Saturday, July 19, from 10a to 12p, at Oakton Elementary school (436 Ridge Ave). Join us at the Oakton Chess Garden, on the north side of the school facing Oakton Street.

Evanston Scholastic Chess is a group of parents and volunteers who lead and organize school chess clubs in Evanston. We serve students in grades K-8 who either live in Evanston or attend an Evanston school. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Here's what we do:

• Conduct five K-8 chess tournaments a year between the months of November and April. At our tournaments, children compete in age- and ability-based groups. These events are ideal for young Evanston chess players who want to try out the tournament experience. The tournaments are not USCF rated.

• Host an email list that Evanston Chess leaders, volunteers and parents can use to share resources, plans and best practices.

Scholastic Tournament Schedule

Every year, Evanston Scholastic Chess partners with schools in Evanston and District 65 to put on chess tournaments. These Swiss tournaments are venues for K-8 students to meet chessplayers from other schools, play competitive chess in a fun environment, and practice good sportsmanship.  These tournaments are organized according to skill level.

The last tournament of the year is our city championship team tournament where each school fields a team in grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8.

To recognize individual achievement, over the course of the year, each student's score is tallied up (win=1, draw=1/2). Students with enough wins are awarded an honor roll trophy.

The 2025-2026 schedule is being determined!