Mission and Vision

US Chess Mission

Empower people, enrich lives, and enhance communities through chess.

US Chess Mission

US Chess Vision

Chess is recognized as an essential tool that promotes inclusiveness and benefits education, rehabilitation, recreation, and friendly competition.

US Chess Goals
  • Expand the educational, social, recreational and rehabilitative applications of chess.
  • Increase the visibility of chess on mainstream communications channels.
  • Develop the depth and breadth of our partnerships.
  • Use chess to increase opportunities for under-represented segments of society.
  • Continuously improve internal operations and member services.
US Chess Core Values
  • Education. We promote the transformative power of chess for lifelong personal growth.
  • Customer Service. We endeavor to be responsive, adaptive and proactive in providing services to our customers.
  • Excellence. We strive to be the best we can be as an organization and in service to the game.
  • Integrity. We honor, preserve and promote fair play.
  • Inclusion. We believe everyone has a seat at the chess table.
  • Love of the Game. We embrace chess as a historic and iconic game, and we celebrate its history, growth and evolution in our activities and services.

Are you ready to take the next step? Join or Renew now, or Donate to our cause. 

Facts at a Glance

Total Members as of April 1: 111,000+
Total Affiliates: 1,200+
 
Rodrigo Leal
"Learning chess throughout my elementary school years formed the base for my future successes. Fast forward twelve (years) after my very first chess game, and I am now a freshman on a full scholarship at Harvard University."
— Rodrigo Leal, National Chess Champion
Jeffrey Ashton
"I support SafeSport training and the goals US Chess is trying to achieve. Even though I’ve taken similar classes, like VIRTUS to teach in Catholic schools and safety classes to teach in private schools, I didn’t expect to learn as much as I did. I think it’s great to have tournament directors get this training. It also occurred to me that when I was growing up, I don’t think my coaches in chess or other sports had the opportunity to take a similar course. So I think SafeSport training for chess coaches would be helpful as well. I was in an excellent mood after finishing the SafeSport training. I thought it was pretty cool to be taking the same training that Olympic coaches are doing. I felt a bit like a deputy for justice! Panda Chess Academy values are Safety, Sportsmanship, and Focus, so I’m totally on board with SafeSport training. "
— Jeffrey Ashton, National Master; Owner, Panda Chess Academy; 2020 US Chess meritorious service award winner
Photo courtesy of Edna Ashton