What Programs Does Progress With Chess Offer for Students?

Progress With Chess is a Cleveland-based chess teaching non-profit that offers four main program types for students: after-school and Sunday classes, seasonal camps, USCF and scholastic tournaments, and customizable school-based chess programs for grades K-8. It primarily serves Northeast Ohio, with programs delivered online and in person.

Classes: After-School and Sunday Chess

The organization describes its classes as among the best after-school and Sunday chess options in Northeast Ohio, designed to build strategic thinking that carries over to schoolwork and other areas. Classes are the entry point for most families: a recurring, structured setting where students learn beyond the basic rules.

The site notes that 60 chess classes will run in Fall 2026 across Cleveland and surrounding locations, so the practical step for a family is to check the current class list for a site and time that fits their schedule.

Camps and Seasonal Programs

Camps run seasonally, and the site's news section recaps summer programming while announcing fall enrollment. Camps suit families looking for a concentrated block of chess during school breaks rather than a weekly commitment. Because camp schedules change each season, confirm dates and locations on the site before planning around them.

Tournaments: USCF and Scholastic

Progress With Chess runs what it calls premiere USCF (United States Chess Federation) and scholastic tournaments. These give players a chance to compete, meet other students, and experience tournament play. The site maintains an "Upcoming Tournaments" listing, which is the place to check for dates and entry details.

Choosing between classes and tournaments

School-Based Programs for Grades K-8

Schools can bring chess into the classroom through customizable programs for grades K-8. The organization states that its instructors are experienced and background-checked, and that it has run programs in more than 60 schools and centers in Northeast Ohio over 20-plus years. The pitch to schools is straightforward: affordable, adaptable chess instruction that supports critical thinking and social learning.

The program has credibility within the local education system. Eric S. Gordon, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, is quoted praising the organization's chess programming in CMSD schools.

Community and Access Programs

Chess is positioned as available to everyone, and the non-profit runs donation-based free programs intended to build and support the Cleveland chess community. The site reports that more than 10,000 underserved students have participated over its 26-year history. Families who need financial help, or who want to support access for others, can use the Community section to get involved.

Background and Credibility

Progress With Chess was founded more than 20 years ago by National Master Michael Joelson and employs experienced players, teachers, and tournament directors. It operates as a local Cleveland non-profit. For a parent or school administrator deciding whether to enroll, that combination—a named founder with a master's title, long-standing school partnerships, and a district-level endorsement—is the most concrete evidence the site offers.

How to Get Started

1. Decide which format fits: weekly classes, a camp, a tournament, or a school program.
2. Visit the relevant section of progresswithchess.org (Classes, Tournaments, or Community) to see current offerings.
3. For school programs, use the site's contact path to discuss a customized plan for your school.
4. For classes and camps, sign up through the enrollment links on the site; fall enrollment is currently open.

One caveat: the site does not publish prices or payment details in the material reviewed here, so confirm cost and any login requirements directly with the organization before committing.