2024-2025 'BACK to School!'

Bay Area Chess, the largest non-profit chess provider, hosts over 120 weekly after school programs, drop-in Clubs, weekend Tournaments, Online courses, special Events, State/National Championships, seasonal Camps and much more.  
You're in the Right Place.
 

What's New?
 

After-School Programs are starting up with over 20 New Schools this semester.  Are we in yours?  If not, feel free to connect us with your school administrator (between Los Gatos and Burlingame)! 
 

BAC Lunchtime Chess Programs - Equal Opportunity Gaming

Introducing weekly Chess to Bay Area Schools during Student Lunch-hours for free supervised open play and casual instruction is one of our favorite ways to bring the game to a whole new generation of players, from all socio-economic backgrounds, who voluntarily sample the game during their lunch break.  BAC Free Chess programs help spread awareness, in bulk, allowing kids from every walk of life try a game they otherwise may never have the privilege to explore.  

If you feel that your school should have one, or if you or your business would like to sponsor the costs of starting a lunchtime Chess program at a Bay Area School, please reach out to us. 
It's what we do.

Ralston Middle-School, one of our largest Lunchtime programs, free to students.

Weekend Club News
Our Regular year-round drop-in chess classes are as popular as ever, always looking for fresh new players to join us weekly!
San Jose  /  Palo Alto  /  Cupertino  /  Santa Clara

Our Fremont Chess Club was closed for the Summer-  The Grand reopening is Friday, 9/6 (and at 4:30 every Friday thereafter). 

Our friends in Mountain House CA (by Tracy) have a new drop-in Chess Club starting on Monday, 10/7!
 

Learn, Compete, Earn, Repeat!
While After School Programs have their own point system and achievement prizes awarded every semester (at school), our scholastic players that compete in our USCF Rated Tournaments have been collecting BAC-€oins as a prize currency to exchange for various treasures!  We have added new features to the €oin-Sheet Menu!

Weekend Chess Clubs may now be purchased with BAC coins, allowing players to turn their winnings into Learning!  
Synergy achieved!
 How to Spend BAC-€oins: Coin Redemption Form

Warning: Taking full advantage of this offer may result in an overwhelming and unwanted number of future college acceptance letters.

 September Rising Star, 9/28!
The Next Rising Star Practice (Unrated) Tournament and Parent Seminar is in Palo Alto, Saturday 9/28 at 9:35am!  
More info in the boxes below.

Online Chess!

Lastly, ONLINE CLASSES begin their Fall Track NEXT week, it's not too late to join us!  Classes are hosted at 5:15pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, weekly.  (by day/Level)
Have Friends/Family local or even out of state, Spread the word!

“Life is a kind of Chess, with struggle, competition, good and ill events”
– Benjamin Franklin, undisputed genius.

“Thanks, Ben. I agree”
– James Bethany, BAC Director

CLUBS!

Accelerate kids' learning with our weekend drop-in group lessons. Come any weekend, any location, and pay-at-the-door for single or bundled (discounted) weekly sessions!

CAMPS!

Browse our Fall/Winter Camp Schedule for all levels, 
ages 5-16. 

-Veterans Day 11/11!
-Thanksgiving Week!
- Three Winter Camps!

ONLINE CLASSES

BAC has partnered with Chesskid.com and offers online classes, by level, for 1-hour sessions of online learning every week for 7-weeks! Free Gold membership to Chesskid.com.

[Term: 9/11 to 10/26]

RISING STAR TOURNAMENT

Our monthly practice Tournament for unrated players and new parents. Learn all about rated play with a mock-tournament (with prizes!) and a simultaneous parent seminar.

[Next: Sept 28th, Palo Alto]