[Editor's Note: The ICA has been notified that sufficient applications for Pawns to Queens have been received for the current acadmic year with only five scholarships available. Check back with the CCF at www.Chicagolandchess.org for 2017-2018 school year opportunities.]

Do you participate in or operate a Chicago school-based chess club? *

Have your students learned the rules of chess and the basics, but are they seeking to achieve that next level of chess prowess?

The Chicago Chess Foundation (CCF) may have the solution for your school program in what they are calling "Pawns to Queens" (P2Q).

According to a CCF announcement, "Tiered coaching, in which instruction is offered at multiple levels of difficulty, is essential to building competitive excellence in Chicago’s schools. "

The announcement continues: "The best way to do so is to add coaches to existing clubs in the best position to benefit."

"In most cases, this means clubs with significant numbers of players who know ... the rules and general principles of strategy and positional chess... and are ready to advance to the next level."

The program announcement promises $1000 of coaching benefits to ":schools not presently able to afford it."

The initial announcement suggests applications will be reviewed with four criteria in mind:

1) Is there a group of ten or more students in the club ready for advanced instruction?  

By this, we mean students who know the rules, point values of the pieces, some tactics and mating combinations, and general principles of strategy and positional chess.    

2) How is your club supported at present, and how are coaches and club expenses paid?  

Do you have parents involved (and how many)?  (Preference will be given to schools most in need.)

3) Does the school have a record of participation in competitions such as CCF/YCFC tournaments, CPS championship, other local tournaments, State K-8 or All-Grade Championships, and Nationals?  

Preference will be given to schools with demonstrated interest in competition.

4) Does the club appear to have the capacity to manage two or more levels of instruction, including separate spaces for teaching?  

(For example, is there a committed coach with parental or other assistance.)

The P2Q application is available at http://bit.ly/2iqkvH5.  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions generally rendered within two weeks.  

CCF will select coaches in consultation with each designated program. Schools presently participating in CCF’s Rook, Rattle and Roll program are not eligible for P2Q.  

Questions should be addressed to Jerry Neugarten, jerry.neugarten@chicagolandchess.org.

According to Mr. Neugarten, interest is high with six (now thirteen) applications for five slots received shortly after an initial email blast last week.

* [Editor's note: an earlier publication of this article erroneously stated the P2Q program was specifically for Chicago Public Schools. We have been informed that it is indeed open to any Chicago-based school including private schools.]