Chess Moves Into the Community: Chess Queens Crown Table Expands to Two Starbucks Locations in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce

PORT ST. LUCIE & FORT PIERCE, FL — August 2026

Chess Queens Crown Table (CQCT), a community-driven chess initiative dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and elevating women and girls through chess while creating welcoming opportunities for players of all ages and experience levels, is expanding its community chess programming to two Starbucks locations in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, Florida.

The new gatherings reflect CQCT's growing vision of bringing chess beyond traditional tournament halls and club settings and into everyday community spaces where people can gather, learn, play, and connect.

CQCT Coffee & Chess Social takes place Wednesdays from 1:00–3:30 PM at:

Starbucks
920 SW St. Lucie West Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Near SW Cashmere Blvd.

The second weekly gathering takes place Mondays from 1:00–3:30 PM at:

Starbucks
2039 S US Hwy 1
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
At the intersection of US-1 and Virginia Avenue.

The gatherings welcome experienced players, beginners, families, and people who simply want to discover chess. Participants can enjoy casual games, learn the fundamentals, meet other chess players, and experience chess in a relaxed community environment.

The response has already demonstrated the power of bringing chess into accessible everyday spaces. Community members have stopped to ask questions, families have introduced their children to the game, beginners have brought their own chessboards to learn, and players who had never previously connected with CQCT have found their way to the chess table.

For CQCT founder Ifa Halima Bumi, these moments represent something larger than simply playing a game.

“Chess doesn't have to live in one building, one club, or one type of community. It can live wherever people are willing to sit down, share a board, and make room for one another.”

The Starbucks gatherings are part of CQCT's broader community ecosystem, which includes youth programming, private instruction, community gatherings, tournaments, mentorship, and partnerships designed to make chess more accessible and connected to everyday community life.

Looking Ahead: Winter Bloom Open 2026

CQCT's community programming will continue with the upcoming Chess Queens Crown Table Women's & Girls Winter Bloom Open 2026, a boutique-style US Chess-rated tournament taking place:

Sunday, December 6, 2026
Panera Bread
1707 St. Lucie West Blvd. #174
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Designed as an intimate competitive experience for women and girls of all ages, the Winter Bloom Open continues CQCT's commitment to creating welcoming opportunities to compete, connect, build confidence, and experience a place at the table.

The tournament also provides an opportunity for players preparing for the 2026 US Chess Federation National K-12 Grade Championships in Orlando, beginning December 11.

Full tournament information and registration:
https://new.uschess.org/chess-queens-crown-table-womens-girls-winter-bloom-open-2026

About Chess Queens Crown Table

Chess Queens Crown Table Initiative (CQCT) is a community-driven chess initiative dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and elevating women and girls through chess while creating opportunities for competition, education, mentorship, leadership, youth development, and community engagement.

CQCT's growing community ecosystem brings chess into tournaments, coffee shops, family gatherings, youth programs, businesses, and other community spaces throughout Florida.

Planting Seeds Through Empowered Chess.