rknights.orgRenaissance Knights - Chicago's premier chess

organizationRenaissance Knights Chess Foundation The right move for Chess in Chicago Menu HomeImpact Why Chess? Leadership Contact Us Press & Publications Programs Academic Chess Program Cops & Kids Initiative Summer Program Tournaments Events Event Calendar Past Events Donate Today Our Sponsors Scroll down to content WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE OF THE PREMIER CHESS ORGANIZATION IN CHICAGO Visit our dedicated website for Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess program www.cpschess.org April 20, Chicago Wolves Scholastic & Open Tournament The Chicago Wolves & the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation are pleased to invite players from the Chicagoland area to play in a rated or unrate... Read More April 12-14, KCF All-Girls National Championship The Kasparov Chess Foundation, the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, and the United States Chess Federation, are pleased to invite girls from acro... Read More Feb 24 – 25, 27 Hours of Peace We are teaming up with Project sWish to bring 10-15 male high school chess students from Chicago Public Schools to participate in the 27 Hours of Peac... Read More February 3, Greater Chicago K-12 Championship The Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, the Kasparov Chess Foundation, the Chicago Public Schools’ Academic Chess program, and SBB Research Gr... Read MoreRenaissance Knights is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to bringing the many educational benefits of chess to diverse communities across Chicago by providing opportunities for elementary & high school students to participate in vibrant chess programs. Since 2005, we impacted the lives of over 60,000 students. Through our thriving partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department we annually impact the lives of thousands of students from over one hundred schools through after-school Academic Chess Clubs, the Chicago Cops & Kids Chess Initiative and our local, regional, national, & international tournaments. Visit our dedicated website for Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess program www.cpschess.org . Mission Statement Renaissance Knights fosters the intellectual and social development of disadvantaged youth in diverse communities throughout the City of Chicago through vibrant chess education programs, tournaments and events. Impact 60,000+ Students Taught 150+ Schools in Chicago 15+ Tournaments Annually School Year 23 CPS Academic Chess Programs 101 Schools and 1800 students total 76 elementary schools = 1500 students 25 high schools = 300 students Participation in weekly classes between October – March & in 3 or more chess competitions 670 players from 59 schools participated in the CPS Championships 490 students from 54 schools attended the City Championship 100 Students from 24 schools attended the US Chess Federation’s High School National Championship Cops & Kids Chess Initiative 19 Schools 270 5- 12 th grade students 25 weekly classes between October – March & in 2 chess competitions & year end event 100 students from 25 schools, and 30 police officers participated in the annual tournament at CPD headquarters 140 students from 16 schools, and 32 police officers participated in the year end event 3-week summer camp for 25 High School students 2-week summer camp for 35 5-8th graders Tournaments All-Girls National Championship Greater Chicago K-12 Championship CPS All-Stars CPS Jr Prep Bowl Cops & Kids Holiday Tournament CPS Kings & Queens CPS High School Championship CPS K-8 Playoffs CPS K-8 Championship Cops & Kids Year End Event Selected to organize the 2023 Pan American Youth Championship Why Chess? At Renaissance Knights, we believe in the power of chess to change lives. To date, we have taught more than 50,000 of Chicago’s most underserved children, inspiring them to greater achievement. Each day, we are proud to help kids grow, one move at a time. Our impact is demonstrated by classroom teachers and student responses to our annual surveys: 94% Chess had a meaningful positive impact on students. 91% Chess developed students’ analytical and logical skills. 89% Chess improved students’ math skills. 94% Chess helped my students concentrate better. 91% Girls and boys are equally interested in chess in my class. 97% Off students want to participate in chess next year. 93% Chess enhanced my students’ cooperation skills. Chess requires you to think hard, analyze, plan, and execute. Problem-solving and learning become a game! Studies conducted over the last 30 years show an increase in student IQ’s, and test scores improve after less than a year of systematic chess study. Chess is also valuable due to its intellectual brand attributes: Chess is known to be a smart person’s game, and kids who play chess believe they are smart. Why is this important? Because what kids believe can be self-fulfilling. Studies Literature Review of Chess Studies Chess and Standardized Test Scores Summary of CPS SES provider impacts A Chess Program for African-American Male Adolescents Programs ACADEMIC CHESS After-School chess clubs and competitive chess tournaments for K-12 students COPS & KIDS Promoting non-violence and increase positive relationships with youth and police SUMMER Thru summer programing we are able to extend the work we do during the summer TOURNAMENTS We organize local, regional, national & international tournamets in Chicago Upcoming Events No Events Leadership David Heiser has nearly 30 years of combined expertise within law enforcement and nonprofit management, developing innovative programs that enrich the lives of Chicago’s youth, while engaging them towards positive community relations. As President and Founder of the Renaissance Knights, he has successfully brought the multi-faceted benefits of chess to over 60,000 children within the Chicago Public School system. He also serves as the Chess Advisor to the Chicago Public Schools’ Academic Chess programs. Sheila Heiser has extensive experience working in the non-profit sector and holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from DePaul University. She is retired and was the co-founder of Renaissance Knights along with her husband. Contact Us Call : 773.844.0701 Email : INFO@renaissanceknights.org Write : 599 LINDEN LN, Wauconda, Illinois 60084 EIN # 20-2728157 CPS Vendor # 97927 Sales Tax Exemption #E99373858 Certificate © 2010 – 2023 Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation Proudly powered...