Chess for Youth Sets & Boards Program

(Free Sets and Boards to Qualifying US Schools)

Please send any questions by email to al@uschesstrust.org.

Chess-For-Youth Program

How to Apply

  1. Chess-for-Youth applications are processed online only. Chess-for-Youth Online Form
  2. After you have submitted your online application, email a brief letter (on official letterhead) stating the request to Email: info@uschesstrust.org

Playing chess has proven to help students enhance their creativity, improve their power of concentration, develop and expand critical thinking skills, boost memory and retention, and achieve superior academic performance.

Additionally, chess has been shown to augment problem-solving capabilities, provide cultural enrichment, advance intellectual maturity, and enhance self-esteem.

We know that these are qualities that school administrators, parents, and teachers desire for their students.

The U.S. Chess Trusts Chess-For-Youth program operates under a very simple premise chess makes kids smarter and should be an opportunity available to all students across the country.

We can help you establish or continue your chess program!

The Chess Trust provides free U.S. Chess Federation memberships and chess playing equipment to support chess education programs across the nation. Programs are carried out in the field by dedicated volunteers and teachers who give their time and expertise and run chess programs in schools, community groups, and organizations.

There are two components to the Chess-For-Youth program:

  • Provision of free chess equipment (limit of up to five free boards and sets) to help start your chess program.
  • Provisions of free USCF memberships (limit of ten memberships per school) for students in need who are attending a Title I school and have never been a USCF member before (see definition of Title I under Free Membership Program Criteria).

Its simple to get involved with the Chess-For-Youth program.

Simply have a school administrator or principal complete the required online application and submit your request online, then email a brief letter (on official letterhead) stating the request, and send to al@uschesstrust.org

The U.S. Chess Trust will review your request and if approved, will send up to five free chess sets and boards to support your program.

If you are requesting the 10 free memberships, then please include the name, gender, complete address, and complete birth date of each of the students.

Please allow 8-10 weeks for processing.