October 1 - 8 annually
Chess week pittsburgh
Since 2017, the first week of October has been officially recognized as Chess Week in Pittsburgh - a tradition established by a Pittsburgh City Council proclamation (District 8) to honor the work of the Queens Gambit Chess Institute and celebrate the transformative power of chess. Each year, Queens Gambit leads the city in a weeklong celebration of strategy, learning, and community connection - uniting players, families, and partners from across the region. In 2025, Mayor Gainey declared October 1 - 7 Queens Gambit Chess Institute Week in the City of Pittsburgh!
Your Move, Pittsburgh!
Thank you for an incredible celebration! We will see you again in 2026!
From October 1–8, Pittsburgh truly became the City of Chess - and it’s all thanks to our incredible community of supporters, partners, and players who made Queens Gambit Chess Institute Week such a success.
This year’s celebration was our most exciting yet. Mayor Ed Gainey officially proclaimed it Queens Gambit Chess Institute Week in the City of Pittsburgh - making us one of the few cities in the nation to dedicate an entire week to the power of chess.
Across the week, we saw tremendous community engagement - from neighborhood pop-ups to our downtown celebration that welcomed over 100 participants throughout the day. Families, students, and chess lovers of all ages came together to play, learn, and connect over the game that continues to unite us.
To our board members, sponsors, and community partners - thank you for believing in our mission and helping us showcase how chess builds leadership, confidence, and community.
You can explore photos, testimonials, and event highlights on our social media channels (@queensgambitpgh) - and we’d love for you to share your favorite moments, too!
Pittsburgh has proven once again that when strategy meets community, the results are extraordinary. Thank you for helping us make Pittsburgh Chess Week unforgettable.
We’re already looking ahead to 2026! Interested in joining the planning committee? Send us a note at info@qgchess.org to learn how to get involved.
Keep playing chess, Pittsburgh!