Afterschool Chess Tournament & Fundraiser
Afterschool Chess Tournament & Fundraiser
An afterschool chess tournament offering both competitive play with trophies and
medals, and casual play for students who simply want to enjoy the game — all
while supporting school fundraising goals.
The Way of the Board Chess Club is excited to bring elementary, middle, and high schools an afterschool chess tournament that begins once the school day ends and runs for approximately 2.5 hours during weekday afternoons. Chess tournaments are designed to give students a chance to experience competitive play in a supportive environment while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and sportsmanship.
Tournament Highlights
Four Rounds of Play:
Each round is 10 minutes per player, with progressive pairings (winners face winners, others continue with balanced matchups).🏆
Awards & Recognition:
A trophy for the competitive section winner, plus gold and silver medals for students finishing in the top half of the competitive section.🎯
Accessible Entry:
Students only need to know the basics of chess (check, checkmate, castling) to participate in the non-competitive section.🎟️
Limited Capacity:
Maximum of 32 players to ensure quality competition.❄️
How It Works
Launch Event = FREE! The first tournament is complimentary to encourage participation and showcase the program (promotion offered until June 2026, limited to first three schools only).
Future Events = $200 per tournament. This fee covers event expenses for the chess club.
Participation Area: Available only to schools within 15 miles of the 06877 zip code.
Fundraising Impact: An afterschool chess tournament gives PTAs an opportunity to raise funds while supporting student growth. School families can contribute through optional donations, ensuring everyone has a chance to back the program even if they cannot attend. With logistics and awards managed by the chess club, schools benefit from a well‑organized event that strengthens student enrichment and contributes directly to fundraising goals.
Why It Matters
Chess is more than a game — it teaches strategic thinking, patience, and resilience. By participating, students gain valuable skills that support academic success while enjoying a fun, community-centered activity.
Next steps
If your school or PTA is interested in bringing an afterschool chess tournament to your students, or if you have questions about how it works, please email hello[at]wayoftheboard.org.
We’ll be happy to provide details, answer inquiries, and help you explore how this program can benefit your students and the school community.
Kristina Hislop (Principal) - June 2026
Thank you again for bringing tournament chess to King Street Intermediate. Our students were engaged, focused, and showed great sportsmanship throughout the event. It was especially rewarding to see students build confidence and take pride in their accomplishments while connecting with peers through a shared love of chess.
Devin Samaha (Library Media Specialist) - February 2026
Last year, Terry Kim led a chess tournament for our students here at East Ridge Middle School. He made the process very easy: he explained the tournament rules, provided the necessary equipment, and helped students acclimate to the use of chess clocks (which were new to a lot of them). Not only did Terry Kim take care of teaching our students the game; but equally important to me was that he took the time to set expectations, and he was careful to monitor the emotional state of our players–especially after losses. I am very grateful to Terry Kim for his generous efforts, and I am hopeful that I will be able to continue inviting him to our school for more tournaments to come.
Mark Edelson (Chess Club Moderator) - April 2026
(The Hawthorn School)
Mark Edelson (Chess Club Moderator) - April 2026
(The Hawthorn School)
Mr. Terry Kim did a fantastic job helping our school put on its first chess tournament. He was knowledgeable, professional, and very capable of assisting students of various elementary grade levels. Our families were very pleased with how the tournament was run. We would highly recommend Mr. Kim and hope to work with him again in the future!
Brendan Leslie (Teacher) - February 2026
Terry Kim visited Scotts Ridge Middle School this past January and provided a meaningful, competitive, and enjoyable experience for 21 students. The boards, pieces, clocks, medals, and 1st place trophy gave our event a special, professional, and official feeling for the students. The level of attention, focus, and engagement from my students for the duration of the tournament was incredible to see!
Further, this experience felt inclusive to all. None of the players had ever participated in a chess tournament and there were players of all skill levels present. Terry made sure to lay out clear and fair ground rules for the tournament, which allowed it to run smoothly. He put an emphasis on sportsmanship, learning, and fun that led to a positive experience for all.
He used a computer program to quickly pair students and score each match. This helped the tournament move along quickly in an organized fashion and helped us to determine our overall winner (which was decided by a final armageddon match!).
I look forward to having Terry back at SRMS to provide future positive experiences for students. I would highly recommend Terry and his programs at The Way of the Board for his professionalism, enthusiasm for the game of chess, and ability to host a quality event. Thank you, Terry!