More Than a Tournament: Chess Queens Crown Table Proves the Endgame Is Empowerment

More Than a Tournament: Chess Queens Crown Table Proves the Endgame Is Empowerment

From Florida to England, women, girls and families gathered around the chessboard for an inaugural tournament rooted in resilience, connection, community and the belief that chess can bring people together.

Port St. Lucie, Florida 

What began as one woman's vision to create a welcoming space for women and girls in chess became something far greater on Sunday.

The Inaugural Chess Queens Crown Table (CQCT) Women's & Girls Community Open welcomed players and families from across Florida including Jacksonville, Orlando, Boca Raton, and Port St. Lucie as well as a family visiting from England who discovered the event online while vacationing in Florida.

Founded by Ifa Halima Bumi, Chess Queens Crown Table was created around one simple belief:

"Chess is an act of love."

That belief could be felt throughout the day.

Players of every age gathered around the chessboard not only to compete but to encourage one another, share stories, celebrate victories, learn from defeats, and build new friendships.

Although the event crowned champions, the atmosphere felt less like strangers attending a tournament and more like family gathering around a shared table.

More Than Competition

The tournament featured women's and girls' championship sections alongside a Community Invitational Elite section, where talented men and teenage players enthusiastically supported the mission by cheering on the women and girls throughout the day.

Tournament Director Ziggy guided the competition with professionalism while helping create an environment that was organized, welcoming, and enjoyable.

"You did a nice job organizing, advertising and presenting the awards ceremony. I think everyone had a nice time." - Ziggy, Tournament Director

The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing champions, community partners, volunteers, and the collective effort that brought the inaugural event to life.

A Global Chess Family Around the Table

Women's Open Champion Grace Wilde traveled from England with her family and delivered an extraordinary performance, finishing the tournament with a perfect 5/5 score across all five rounds to claim the championship trophy and cash prize.

Grace’s mother, Melinda Wilde, shared:

"From the moment we arrived, Bumi and everyone involved made us feel like part of the local chess family. It was such a great atmosphere and a fantastic way to experience tournament chess in the US."

She added that the event created special memories for their family, who came to support Grace and experience a different kind of competition than they were accustomed to.

"It just goes to show how no matter where in the world you are, chess brings people together."

Creating the Space Women Have Been Asking For

For many participants, the tournament represented something rarely experienced in competitive chess; a space intentionally created with women and girls in mind.

Women's & Girls Under 1600 Champion, Nadia Rubin reflected on the importance of the event.

"We need more safe spaces for women to play chess without being bothered while we're trying to focus on our games."

She continued,

"It was nice to finally win something. I like playing with women because I always feel much more comfortable. I just had fun and that's what counts."

Inspired by her experience, Nadia announced plans to launch a monthly women's chess meetup in Orlando, extending the spirit of Chess Queens Crown Table into another Florida community.

The Heart of the Tournament

Perhaps no participant captured the spirit of the day more than Edna, affectionately known by many as the "Chess Mom."

After spending years traveling to tournaments supporting her sons, Edna taught herself chess during the COVID-19 pandemic and now competes in tournaments herself.

Her warmth, encouragement, and joyful personality touched nearly everyone she met.

Following the tournament, Edna became an official donor to Chess Queens Crown given support to future youth programs, chess equipment, sponsored tournament seats, and community initiatives through the organization's Sponsor a Future Chess Queen Program.

Later she joked with organizer Ifa Halima Bumi that she had proudly texted her sons to tell them she had defeated the tournament organizer in one of the games. And of course, she texted the organizer Ifa Halima Bumi sharing a copy of that games notation sheet.

It became one of many moments of laughter that filled the room throughout the day.

A Community Effort

The inaugural tournament was made possible through the support of numerous community partners who believe in expanding opportunities through chess.

Special recognition was presented to:

• Panera Bread
• The Gift of Chess
• HOODE
• Port St Lucie Knights Chess Club

for their generous support of Chess Queens Crown Table and its growing mission.

The tournament also received encouragement from organizations across the chess community, including support and communication from the Florida Chess Association, Space Coast Chess Foundation, the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess, and the Women's Chess Championship Support Project, demonstrating growing excitement for community-driven initiatives that welcome more women and girls into chess.

Building Before the Tournament Even Began

The weekend's momentum extended beyond tournament day.

Just one day before the event, Ifa Halima Bumi introduced Chess Quest, a new beginner chess program for children during the Oasis Community Gathering in Fort Pierce, FL.

Champions

The tournament celebrated outstanding performances across multiple divisions.

Seven-year-old Emma Golovatch, who recently celebrated her birthday in July, captured the Women's & Girls Under 1000 Championship.

Emma’s mother shared:

"Emma was very happy and proud to win and receive the award. It meant a lot to her and made her even more motivated to continue playing chess and improving."

The joy and confidence displayed by young players like Emma reflected one of Chess Queens Crown Table’s central missions: creating opportunities where girls can discover their voice, build confidence, and see themselves as leaders both on and off the chessboard.

Women's Open Champion
Grace Wilde

Women's & Girls Under 1600 Champion
Nadia Rubin

Women's & Girls Under 1000 Champion
Emma Golovatch

Community Invitational Elite Quad
Bruce Kutikoff

While trophies recognized the winners, every participant, like Chess Mom Edna, received a certificate of recognition for helping launch an event many hope becomes an annual tradition.

Looking Ahead

Chess Queens Crown Table Initiative was founded on the belief that every person deserves a seat at the table; a place where confidence can grow one move at a time.

Plans are already underway for future tournaments, monthly Coffee & Chess Social gatherings, youth chess education, community partnerships, and expanded opportunities for women and girls throughout Florida.

As organizer Ifa Halima Bumi shared during the tournament:

"The endgame isn't checkmate. The endgame is empowerment."
 

The Journey Continues

Following the success of the inaugural tournament, Chess Queens Crown Table is already preparing for its next gathering; 

Chess Queens Crown Table Women's & Girls Winter Bloom Open 2026

Sunday, December 6, 2026
Panera Bread, Port St. Lucie, Florida
US Chess Rated
Women's Open | Women's & Girls Under 1600 | Community Elite Quad 1000+

The boutique-style tournament Chess Queens Crown Table Women's & Girls Winter Bloom Open 2026 also offers players an opportunity to sharpen their game, gain tournament experience, and connect with fellow chess players in the days leading up to the 2026 US Chess Federation national tournament in Orlando beginning December 11th the 2026 National K-12 Grade Championships.

Whether you're preparing for Orlando, returning to tournament chess, or simply looking for a welcoming place to play, there is a seat at the table for you.

Registration is now open:

Register online at CQCT Square Merchant Portal: https://square.link/u/2j3POiRF
 

More Information:

https://new.uschess.org/chess-queens-crown-table-womens-girls-winter-bloom-open-2026

About Chess Queens Crown Table Initiative

Chess Queens Crown Table is a Florida-based community chess initiative dedicated to empowering women, girls, youth, families, and communities through the game of chess.

Through tournaments, educational programs, social chess gatherings, and community partnerships, CQCT creates welcoming spaces where confidence, strategic thinking, leadership, and meaningful connections can flourish.

"Planting Seeds Through Empowered Chess."