Florida Junior Chess

Spreading love of chess among kids and teens in Orlando and Central Florida

News/announcements

Florida Junior Chess is now part of the Orlando Regional Chess Alliance (ORCA), a nonprofit organization. Our mission is to bring chess to more people in the Central Florida community, including promoting scholastic involvement in chess. Please check out our latest events!

FL Junior Chess/ORCA activities:

Sept 2025: Promoting chess in the community!

First Annual Orlando Chess Open (Aug 2024): The inaugural Orlando Chess Open with almost 100 participants

”Great job today! Your role in putting this together is truly remarkable.” -President, Orlando Chess Association

The Orlando Chess Open raised over $2500 for charity, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida. See the Chess.com blog post.

Summer Chess Camp (July 2024): Ran a camp to teach chess basics and strategies through fun mini-games, chess puzzles, and a friendly tournament.

“It was fun! I felt like I got better at planning ahead.” - Camp participant
“I got better at strategizing, and I also learned methods for opening moves, checkmating, etc.” -Camp participant

Teaching new players at the Maitland Public Library with the Orlando Chess Club at a free Introduction to Chess program.

Trinity Prep Chess Club events/activities:

Grandmaster simul (Nov 2024): Invited a grandmaster to campus and hosted a simul exhibition where students had the chance to test their chess skills against the former coach of the Cuban national team

Chess Friendlies (2024-2025): Organized and hosted several friendly matches with a local community college, a University Club, and a local high school. The most recent one was held in January 2025.

Schoolwide charity chess tournament (Dec 2023): Held an in-school tournament to raise money to purchase chess sets for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida

2024 U.S. Amateur Team Championship-South (Feb 2024): 3rd place Scholastic K-12 team

Space Coast Foundation Chess Tournament (October 2023): 1st Place: Scholastic K-12 Top Team

Interested in chess lessons?

I provide in-person chess lessons for scholastic players of all levels. My goal is to help improve your chess skills while keeping it fun. Please email me if you are interested!

Need help getting your school chess club started?

We have lots of experience launching new chess clubs! Florida Junior Chess and ORCA can help with the initial coordination and communication with the school and explain the benefits of school chess clubs, such as promoting analytical thinking and good sportsmanship. We can also show you how to conduct chess club meetings and can do an introductory lesson to help beginners get started in chess. For schools that may need chess sets, please contact us to see if we can provide assistance. For schools that are interested in developing a more serious, high-level chess program, we can connect you with experienced chess coaches who can offer after-school programs at the school. We'd love to help launch more chess clubs! If you are interested in getting a chess club going at your school, please email me.

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