Chess for Everyone

Whether you’re picking up a chess piece for the first time or you’ve been competing for years, you’re invited to a morning of strategy, friendly competition, and community – open to anyone and everyone across Greater Boston who wants to give it a shot.

This first-ever tournament will be unrated, keeping the focus on fun and getting as many people playing as possible. (We may add a rated division down the road, but for now, it’s all about the game – and the community around it.)

Between rounds, gather in The Mill Cafe to grab a bite, review games, and meet fellow chess enthusiasts – and yes, there will be a giant chess set to test out with your family and friends!

Not playing in the tournament, or brand new to the game? Head over to the Skittles Room, where National Masters in Chess Elliott Neff and Scott Low will be offering casual chess lessons and sharing stories, photos, and videos from their trips to Uganda.

National Master Elliott Neff is the author of A Pawn’s Journey, and CEO of Chess4Life, which helps kids build life skills through the game of chess. His coaching is even endorsed by Robert Katende, the real-life coach whose story inspired the film. 

National Master Scott Low is a Landsat Flight Systems Manager at NASA and former NASA/NOAA Satellite Operations Engineer. His father taught him chess at a young age and he fell in love with the game after attending Mr. Richmond’s summer chess camp in 3rd grade. He won several MD state and national scholastic championships, including the Denker Tournament of High School Champions in 2008 where he became a National Master. He was inspired Queen of Katwe, seeing an intertwined story of chess, faith, community, perseverance, and overcoming the odds! He serves on the Chess Advocacy Board at Sports Outreach, the organization Robert Katende collaborates with to invest in young people and communities through chess.

Hosted by Sports Outreach and Chess4Life at Highrock Arlington, this tournament is about more than finding the best move on the board. It’s a chance to connect with players from across Greater Boston while celebrating the way chess builds friendships, mentors young people, and creates opportunities for hope around the world.