Renaissance Knights

TRANSFORMING LIVES, ON AND OFF THE BOARD

sWishmas Toy & Coat CommUnity Give-Back

Project sWish Chicago will host our annual sWishmas Toy & Coat CommUnity Give-Back on Saturday, December 21, 2024 sponsored by BCBSIL. The holiday...

Our Annual Report

The Renaissance Knights’ annual report highlights our commitment to empowering Chicago’s youth through chess-centered programs that foster aca...

April 4-6, KCF All-Girls National Championships

Are you ready to challenge yourself and make your mark? Join us at the 20th Annual KCF All-Girls National Chess Championship, where young female chess...

February 8, Greater Chicago K-12 Championship

Join the Midwest’s Top Young Chess Players at the 15th Annual Greater Chicago K-12 Championships! The Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, Kasp...

Mission & Vision

Renaissance Knights is a nonprofit organization bridging the educational opportunity gap for Chicago students by providing them with chess centered programs that supports their academic, social, career, and leadership success.

Our mission is to build community, foster intellectual and social development, and advance educational achievement of Chicago’s youth through the transformative power of chess education.

We envision a world where Chicago youth are critical thinkers empowered to make their own moves, succeed in college and career, and become leaders in their community.

Why We Do It

Chess is a transformational activity that helps young people make the right moves on and off the board, while preparing them for college and career success.

At Renaissance Knights, we believe in the power of chess to change lives. Chess helps students improve academically and socially, enhance STEM skills, develop critical thinking, improve concentration, and build self-confidence. In a safe environment, students learn to win and lose gracefully, building their resilience and confidence.

To date, we have taught more than 60,000 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 the positive feedback from classroom teachers and students in our annual surveys.

Program Survey

94% Chess had a meaningful positive impact on students.

91% Chess developed students’ analytical and logical skills.

89% Chess improved students’ math skills.

94% Chess helped my students concentrate better.

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

97% Off students want to participate in chess next year.

93% Chess enhanced my students’ cooperation skills.

Studies

Summary of CPS SES provider impacts

Literature Review of Chess Studies

Chess and Standardized Test Scores

A Chess Program for African-American Male Adolescents

Impact

60,000+ Students Taught

500+ Schools Engaged

400+ Tournaments Held

School Year 2023 – 2024

International Youth Sponsorship

We successfully sponsored 115 students from 17 countries across the Americas to participate in the 2023 Pan-American Youth Chess Festival, covering their lodging and meals.

Chess Instruction in Chicago Public Schools

Academic Chess

111 Schools
2360 K-12th grade students
83 elementary schools
28 high schools
6 in-person tournaments
Weekly online Blitz Oct – May
Monthly online rapid Oct – April

Cops & Kids Chess

25 Schools
310 5- 12^th grade students
25 weekly classes between October – March
December event with 92 and 9 police officers
Year-End event with 140 students and 14 police officers

Summer Knights

3-week High School camp for 25 students
2-week Middle School camp for 30 students
1-week Alll-Girls camp for 16 5-12th graders
Two 1-week Middle School intercession camps for 34 students

Communites Served

Albany Park
Archer Heights
Armour Square
Ashburn
Austin
Avalon Park
Avondale
Back of the Yards
Belmont Cragin
Brighton Park
Chatham
Chicago Lawn
East Side
Edgewater
Edison Park
Englewood
Fuller Park
Gage Park
Humboldt Park

Hyde Park
Irving Park
Kenwood
Lake View
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Square
Logan Square
Loop
Lower West Side
Marshall Square
Montclare
Morgan Park
Mount Greenwood
Near North Side
Near South Side
Near West Side
North Center
North Lawndale

North Park
Norwood Park
Oakland
Portage Park
Rogers Park
Roseland
South Chicago
South Shore
Washington Park
West Elsdon
West Englewood
West Garfield Park
West Lawn
West Pullman
West Ridge
West Roseland
West Town

Tournaments Organized

Pan American Youth Chess Championship – 645 players from 21 countries
KCF All-Girls National Chess Championship – 512 players from 34 states
Greater Chicago K-12 Chess Championship – 731 players from 4 states

CPS All-Stars – 344 players from 46 schools
CPS Jr Prep Bowl – 258 players from 36 schools
Cops & Kids Holiday Tournament – 92 students from 11 schools
CPS Kings & Queens – 294 players from 56 schools
CPS High School Championship – 190 players from 16 schools

CPS K-8 Playoffs – 535 students from 62 schools
CPS K-8 Championship – 108 players from 23 school
Cops & Kids Year End Event – 140 players from 16 schools
Weekly online Blitz Oct – May
Monthly online rapid Oct – April

What We Do

Renaissance Knights’ programs leverage the power of chess to foster the positive development of young people. Our approach is both intentional and comprehensive, focusing on engaging youth in meaningful activities that enhance their strengths and support their overall growth. We are committed to nurturing the intellectual, emotional, and social development of our participants, ultimately preparing them for success in various aspects of life. We achieve this through the following key components in all our programs: