Library Chess Initiative

Library Chess is a program that brings the intellectually stimulating and socially engaging game of chess directly to local communities through their libraries. As a pioneering initiative, this program has been at the heart of our mission to make chess accessible to all.

Connecting Minds, Enriching Lives: These inviting, chess-themed areas provide a welcoming environment for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and immerse themselves in the fascinating world of chess.
Empowering All Skill Levels: One of the key strengths is its inclusivity. We cater to players of all skill levels, from absolute beginners who are just learning the rules of the game to seasoned players looking to improve their strategies. Our skilled and passionate chess instructors are always present to offer guidance and support, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and encouraged to participate.
Community Building and Social Interaction: Beyond the intellectual benefits of playing chess, library chess fosters a strong sense of community and camaraderie. Participants forge meaningful connections with one another, transcending age and cultural differences through their shared passion for chess. We've witnessed lasting friendships form as players come together regularly to engage in friendly matches and chess-related activities.
A Safe Haven and Positive Outlet: For many members of the community, library chess serves as a safe haven and a positive outlet for personal growth. It offers an alternative to negative influences and unproductive activities, providing a space where individuals can channel their energy into a mentally stimulating and constructive pursuit.
Measuring Success, Celebrating Impact: Over the years, library chess has left an indelible mark on countless lives. These events often have the most success and recognition in the foundation.

Whether you're a seasoned chess player or someone curious to learn about the game, we invite you to join us. Come and experience the joy of chess, the thrill of competition, and the warmth of a vibrant and supportive chess community in your very own neighborhood library.

This initiative is possible with the generous support of our community donors:

Unfortunately, there are no sponsors for this program right now. We independently run many programs.

Crowfoot Library Monthly Workshops & Tournaments

We held these every month. These workshops began after the pandemic in early 2022. The workshops are usually held at the end of each month on Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. These workshops usually host 150+ individuals and the tournament has over 100 people attending. Our volunteers work with beginners, teach chess to those who want to learn and play games against those that want to test their skills.

Central Library Monthly Workshop & Tournament

(This program is independent from the CPL) While these programs are not as frequent as our other location in Crowfoot, the Central Library workshop offers a place for many to play and learn chess. In early 2022, we hosted monthly chess workshops to teach 20-30 individuals the game. In the months, the program likely reached 150+ people. Later on, in August 2023 we began this program again and started a 3-week chess bootcamp in partnership with Diversecities.

Learn More

Judith Umbach Library Workshops

These our newest library events. These workshops are irregular and occur based on interest from community members. Usually these workshops reach 10-20 individuals. This is a fun place to meet new people, play chess and have some fun!

Country Hills Library Program

This is one of our most popular successes. This program reached over 35+ individuals for 8-weeks in the summer from July-August. With the indirect support (not in partnership with CPL) we ran a program every week on Sundays at the Country Hills Library. This was one of our first independent programs and led to many families being extremely happy that their children could learn an amazing intellectual game.