about US

CHESS IS AN INFLUENTIAL TACTIC IN BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS. 

Chess serves as a portable classroom, providing the foundations for education and the core competencies needed to navigate life. Too many children in Western Pennsylvania do not have the at-home support or the financial means to attend after-school programming where many of these skills are learned and reinforced. As a result, many youth fail and even drop out of school. Free chess programming provides a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to education that can aid students in their academic careers and professional life by teaching valuable life skills via an approachable and adaptable medium.

how it started

SINCE 2014, WE HAVE PROVIDED QUALITY PROGRAMMING TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH INTENTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS. 

Ashley Lynn Priore founded Queens Gambit when she was just a freshman in high school. The need for quality chess education through a 21st-century model inspired her to teach classes at local libraries and schools. Under her leadership, Queens Gambit has grown into a national organization with renowned programming and partnerships. Ashley is a respected chess player in her own right and is known for making the game sustainable for the future. As a woman in chess, Ashley understands how male dominated the game is and works to inspire women and girls to compete and use the game to empower themselves and others.

By the numbers

2,080

hours teaching chess in 2024

2,000

youth reached yearly 

75+

partners & collaborators

DISCOVER THE IMPACT

  • Our "Profile of a Chess Player" highlights the fundamental skills and abilities inherent to chess players as they develop their understanding and proficiency in the game.

  • Chess players imagine a position they hope to achieve and creatively establish a way to get there. They respect the logic and rules of the game while embracing the freedom to innovate and create unique positions.

  • Rather than accepting what they see, chess players ask challenging questions and explore different options to achieve the best outcome. They are able to take what they learn on the chess board and apply it to the real world.

  • Chess players visualize their opponent's moves and understand the challenges they face and opportunities they can chase. They effectively and succinctly describe future situations and possible outcomes.

  • Chess players are able to sit and focus for long periods of time during stressful and challenging times. Their remarkable stamina and heightened focus allows them to navigate the intricate web of moves and countermoves.

  • Chess players, thinking first and acting second, are able to balance multiple considerations, weigh options, and brainstorm specific actions and consequences. They are constantly offering new ideas and methods to pivot in any position.

OUR GOALS

01

Chess is widely recognized for its ability to cultivate decision making skills and adopted in more youth programs.

02

Historically underserved communities are represented by skilled leaders with shared lived experiences and create social capital that can be passed down to future generations.

03

New connections are formed to catalyze community innovations and meaningful relationships.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

#chessmatters, an initiative spotlighting the educational advantages of chess. 

Your support can make a significant impact on spreading awareness about the transformative power of this timeless game in fostering valuable skills and learning experiences.