What is Progress With Chess?

Updated

Progress With Chess is a Cleveland-based nonprofit that teaches chess to youth, primarily grades K–8, through school programs, after-school and Sunday classes, camps, and USCF and scholastic tournaments, both online and in person. It is the organization to look at if you are a Northeast Ohio parent, school, or community partner seeking structured chess instruction for children—its own materials describe programs in 60+ schools and centers across the region and 26 years of operation. It was started by National Master Michael Joelson.

What the organization offers

The site organizes its work into three areas:

Area What it covers Who it is for
Classes After-school and Sunday chess classes in Northeast Ohio Youth, especially grades K–8
Tournaments USCF and scholastic tournaments, in person and online Players who want competitive play
Community Donation-based free programs and resources for those who need them most Underserved students and families

Programs are described as customizable and affordable, taught by experienced, background-checked instructors. The stated goal goes beyond rules: critical thinking, teamwork, and social learning.

Who it serves

  • Families in Northeast Ohio looking for after-school or weekend chess instruction for a child in grades K–8.
  • Schools and centers that want an outside provider to run chess programming on site; the organization says it has worked in 60+ schools and centers over more than 20 years.
  • Competitive youth players seeking USCF-rated or scholastic tournament experience.
  • Donors and community partners supporting free, donation-based programming for underserved students.

The site cites 10,000+ underserved students served and includes a testimonial from the CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District praising its programming in CMSD schools.

What to check before signing up

The homepage does not list prices, schedules, or eligibility rules for specific classes and tournaments. Before committing:

  1. Open the Classes section for current after-school and Sunday offerings and enrollment steps.
  2. Check Tournaments for upcoming events, format (USCF vs. scholastic), and entry requirements.
  3. For school partnerships, use the contact or "Get Started" path to ask about customization and cost for your building.
  4. If cost is a barrier, ask about the donation-based free programs mentioned on the site.

Fall enrollment is promoted on the homepage, with 60 classes planned across Cleveland and surrounding areas—so timing matters if you want a fall seat.