Best Chess Lessons Chicago Near Me

4worldlovers: Chess Wizards was founded in 2002 to change the culture of chess in Chicago. A decade later, we’ve expanded our programs to schools, park districts, and community centers across the globe.

From After-School Scholastic Programs to Chess Tournaments and more, Chess Wizards programs are available year-round and taught by dedicated, knowledgeable instructors.

We know how great Chess Wizards programs are, but we’d rather have you read praise from various parents and students. They all have great things to say about Chess Wizards on our testimonials page.

I have been very pleased with both of the instructors who have been at Jefferson School teaching the Chess Wizards program. The students who participate truly enjoy it and always seem eager to attend the next session.

4worldlovers:
Visit our dedicated website for Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess program www.cpschess.org


More than 670 player competed in the annual Greater Chicago K-12 Chess Championship which took place at West Building of McCormick Place. At the end o...

The Kasparov Chess Foundation, the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, and the United States Chess Federation, are pleased to invite girls from acro...

The Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, the International Chess School, the Confederation of Chess for America (CCA) and the US Chess Federation, ar...

Renaissance Knights is in its 17th year as a partner with the Chicago Public Schools chess program. CPS Academic Chess provides students from diverse ...

Renaissance Knights is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to bringing the many educational benefits of chess to diverse communities across Chicago by providing opportunities for elementary & high school students to participate in vibrant chess programs. Since 2005, we impacted the lives of over 60,000 students.


Through our thriving partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department we annually impact the lives of thousands of students from over one hundred schools through after-school Academic Chess Clubs, the Chicago Cops & Kids Chess Initiative and our local, regional, national, & international tournaments. Visit our dedicated website for Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess program www.cpschess.org.


Renaissance Knights fosters the intellectual and social development of disadvantaged youth in diverse communities throughout the City of Chicago through vibrant chess education programs, tournaments and events.

Participation in weekly classes between October – March & in 3 or more chess competitions

100 Students from 24 schools attended the US Chess Federation’s High School National Championship

25 weekly classes between October – March & in 2 chess competitions & year end event

100 students from 25 schools, and 30 police officers participated in the annual tournament at CPD headquarters

140 students from 16 schools, and 32 police officers participated in the year end event

At Renaissance Knights, we believe in the power of chess to change lives. To date, we have taught more than 50,000 of Chicago’s most underserved children, inspiring them to greater achievement. Each day, we are proud to help kids grow, one move at a time. Our impact is demonstrated by classroom teachers and student responses to our annual surveys:

91% Girls and boys are equally interested in chess in my class.

Chess requires you to think hard, analyze, plan, and execute. Problem-solving and learning become a game! Studies conducted over the last 30 years show an increase in student IQ’s, and test scores improve after less than a year of systematic chess study.

Chess is also valuable due to its intellectual brand attributes: Chess is known to be a smart person’s game, and kids who play chess believe they are smart. Why is this important? Because what kids believe can be self-fulfilling.

Thru summer programing we are able to extend the work we do during the summer

Has nearly 30 years of combined expertise within law enforcement and nonprofit management, developing innovative programs that enrich the lives of Chicago’s youth, while engaging them towards positive community relations.

As President and Founder of the Renaissance Knights, he has successfully brought the multi-faceted benefits of chess to over 30,000 children within the Chicago Public School system.

He also serves as the Chess Advisor to the Chicago Public Schools’ Academic Chess programs.

Has extensive experience working in the non-profit sector and holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from DePaul University. She is retired and was the co-founder of Renaissance Knights along with her husband.