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THE QUEEN S GAMBIT CHESS INSTITUTE CELEBRATES CHESS AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL AND SOCIAL MOVEMENT IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS THE TOOLS TO SUCCEED AND USES THOSE TOOLS TO SPARK CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNTIY 2
LIFE IS A CHESS GAME. CHESS IS A NEW WAY OF LIFE. LET S TAKE THE RISK TOGETHER, CHANGING HOW WE LEARN, THINK, AND GROW. OVERVIEW The Queen s Gambit Chess Institute is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching chess to the community, ensuring every child has the necessary opportunities and tools to learn the game through a 21st-century approach to education. We focus on promoting, sharing, and encouraging the educational and social benefits of playing chess. In partnership with the Pittsburgh city government, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and other educational organizations, Queen s Gambit seeks to make city a portable classroom for chess. Queen s Gambit was founded on the belief that chess provides relevant, engaging, and equitable learning experiences that can remodel how youth learn and grow. 1. Chess Programming (classes, clubs, tournaments, etc.) 2. QGCI Youth Chess Organization 3. QGCI Chess Team 4. Chess Curriculum Center 5. Chess Advancement Center 6. Special Events Center 7. Initiatives Center for Changing Pittsburgh 3
PUBLIC CHESS PROGRAMMING We are committed to outreach. We work all educational establishments and institutions to teach chess in the 9 districts of Pittsburgh and fulfill the needs of our students. We provide free chess programming to the community. Many children and teens in the Pittsburgh area wish to learn and play chess with their peers, but their families cannot afford classes or do not have the tools and opportunities to make this happen. We have all chess sets and other important chess supplies to facilitate the experience of learning chess. We offer select classes or an official chess program including several classes, a team, clubs, tournaments, a coach, and private individual lessons for each child. We provide additional needs for each location, ensuring every child has what they need to succeed. 4
I LOVE CHESS. IT TEACHES ME HOW TO THINK, FIGHT FAIR, AND LEAD. 5
PRIVATE CHESS PROGRAMMING Private chess is available to students in the community who do not have the means to study at a specific location or need an individual lesson-based program. We offer signature private chess classes and instruction including one on one lessons with a chess instructor, private classes with a tournament, private tournaments, and hire a chess coach. Private chess programming is a personalized curriculum for students. Unless a situation is need base or the student is a part of a QGCI class, private chess is the only part of this institute that costs money. The rate varies, but it is most commonly, $20 dollars an hour. If your family needs help financially but wishes to have private lessons, please contact us. We want to help you! 6
7 I LOVE THAT CHESS ISN T ABOUT WINNING OR LOSING. IT IS ABOUT WHAT THE JOURNEY WAS LIKE.
QGCI YOUTH CHESS ORGANIZATION Offered to all students a part of our locations, the purpose of Youth Chess is to encourage chess as a part of the educational experience. We work on projects, studies, and findings to difficult chess problems. We host events to engage the community and promote chess activity. We focus on youth leadership and advocacy. 8
QGCI CHESS TEAM We play, learn, study, and go to competitions together. With elected team leaders, we will evaluate sportsmanship, qualities of a chess player, and more. The team will be split up into sections and take part in weekly matches with division finals and a large championship during a chess season, similar to the National Football League and National Baseball League. The team will create the first National Chess League. This official chess team will gather some of the best youth players around to make chess the important, well-known sport it has been over the years. 9
WHEN WE ALL PLAY CHESS, WE ALL SUCCEED. 10
At the Queen s Gambit Chess Institute, we are dedicated to changing how youth learn. Chess is the new way of education. Our curriculum center creates individualized lessons to fit the needs of each student. Chess players at Queen s Gambit begin the curriculum process with basic chess instructions for specific levels. Then, students consider their academic and social goals and help to design their own curriculum. Using 21 st century approaches to learning, Queen s Gambit s curriculum is inclusive, diverse, and life-changing. CHESS CURRICULUM CENTER To quote female chess grandmaster Judit Polgar, chess is a miniature version of life. It is a portable classroom with every subject in school in one platform. At Queen s Gambit, chess is the new way of approaching, engaging and learning about the world. 11
CHESS ADVANCEMENT CENTER Queen s Gambit is staffed with current and rising chess masters. In the advancement center, chess players and leaders in the game are studying, researching and writing about new discoveries in the game. The advancement center coordinates with the curriculum center to keep chess education updated and continuously refined. 12
SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER Queen s Gambit leads. Chess Week in the City of Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Chess Conference Schenley Plaza Tournament Series Pittsburgh Speed Chess Day And more INITIATIVES CENTER FOR CHANGING PITTSBURGH Queen s Gambit hopes to work with the City of Pittsburgh Government and other leading organizations to create change for this changing, innovative city. 1. Chess Early Learning Initiative 2. Chess in Pittsburgh Public Schools 3. 2018-2019 Impact! Pittsburgh Initiative 4. Women of Pittsburgh Initiative 5. Pittsburgh s Scholastic Chess Center 13
14 2018-2019 Strategic Plan
Advancement Center: Studying, researching, and writing about new discoveries in the game. Makerspace for students and professionals. For the 2018-2019 year, we hope to publish a comprehensive guide to the following questions: 1. Why is chess beneficial? 2. What is the impact of chess on childhood development and the adolescent mind? 3. What is the connection between chess and psychology? 4. How does chess connect to social, political, and economic change? Families will complete a family data survey and report on the impact of chess in their child s life through the first Queen s Gambit commercial. Curriculum Center: Chess is the new way of education. For the 2018-2018 year, we hope to continue to expand our chess curriculum and publish a book titled The Queen s Gambit Chess Institute Curriculum. We will expand our educational resources beyond PowerSchool Learning and consider, answer, and re-define the following: 1. How can we make learning chess more student-led, individualized, and interactive? 2. What is a 21 st century approach to learning? 3. How can Queen s Gambit help to revolutionize learning and make greater impact and tangible change in educational systems? 15
4. Enrollment and Expansion: Our network, partners, 9 districts of Pittsburgh, and families. 1. Have a presence in every single establishment and organization to demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of chess. 2. Create a running list of chess opportunities in each district and work with the 9 districts of Pittsburgh as an agent. By building relationships with all children and families, they trust us, and we become liaisons between them and city government and other organizations that they need. Currently, Queen's Gambit is working to make sure these students and their families are making sure these children have a say in the direction of the city and are included in all Pittsburgh data. 3. Work with main partners for chess programming, tournaments, and events. Marketing and Communications: Events and publications 1. Schenley Plaza Scholastic Tournament Series 2. Pittsburgh Chess Conference Pittsburgh Chess Celebration: An International Chess Tournament The Queen s Gambit Chess Institute: An Anniversary Pittsburgh Supports Women in Chess: An All-Female Chess Tournament 3. 2 nd Annual Chess Week in Pittsburgh 16
Kickoff, Chess Leaders Brunch at the University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Schools Chess Conference Day 1 Pittsburgh Schools Chess Conference Day 2 Pittsburgh Community Chess Conference All-Female Chess Tournament International Chess Tournament Walk for Chess and 2nd Annual Community Lawn Chess Event and Tournament Closing, Skyline Chess Celebration at University of Pittsburgh We plan to publish the 1 st Queen s Gambit Chess Institute Playbook. Office of the CEO: We hope to have a ten-person staff before the year ends. With a continuously growing advisory team and chess facilitators staffed with Pittsburgh leaders, and a team staffed with young chess masters and professionals, Queen s Gambit wants to provide opportunities for volunteers, interns, and fellows. We are looking for Center employees, a legal team, and a financial team. We will connect with the following organizations to obtain funding: 1. Allegheny Regional Asset District 2. Carnegie Mellon University 3. Duquesne University 4. The Grable Foundation 5. The Pittsburgh Foundation 6. University of Pittsburgh 17
Impact! PGH Initiative Chess, Community Outreach, and Inclusivity Committee Chess and STEAM Committee Funding Committee Chess and Government Relations Committee Chess in Schools Committee Chess, Leadership, and Changing Pittsburgh Committee 18
THANK YOU, PITTSBURGH Allegheny County Library Association Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Children s Hospital of Pittsburgh Children s Museum of Pittsburgh Community Forge Gwen s Girls Jewish Community Center Pennsylvania Chess Federation Pittsburgh Board of Education Pittsburgh Cares Pittsburgh Chess Club Pittsburgh City Government Pittsburgh Parks Conversancy Pittsburgh Private Schools Pittsburgh Public Schools Pittsburgh Youth Chess Remake Learning The Children s Institute The Children s Museum United States Chess Federation United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania Western Pennsylvania Scholastic Chess League YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh 19
WHY SHOULD YOU LEARN CHESS? There is no better way to rehearse life than to play a game of chess. At The Queen s Gambit Chess Institute, we are innovating chess to fit the needs of 21 st century students and the community. We offer chess programming to organizations and schools, provide curriculum to teachers and families, mentor students who complete projects to impact their community, and use chess to create a sustainable Pittsburgh through EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. Chess is strategy. It s that strategy that teaches life skills and makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. Join the movement #pghchessmovement. ENRICHING LIVES, ONE MOVE AT A TIME. 20