♟️ About the Organizer

Chess In Schools is an educational chess program and tournament organizer based in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The organization also operates under the name Creating Higher Educational Success in Schools, commonly shortened to C.H.E.S.S. US Chess lists the group as an active affiliate in Port Orange under affiliate number H6018704. Its activities include US Chess-rated tournaments, scholastic competitions, community events, and support for local chess programs.

Stephen F. Lampkin leads the organization as executive director and tournament director. He manages event planning, registrations, pairings, equipment, rating submissions, and communication with players. Moreover, he has worked in chess education and tournament administration for many years. US Chess also lists him as a Safe Play-certified member and tournament director.

Chess In Schools serves children, adults, beginners, and experienced competitors. In addition, it works with schools, chess clubs, hotels, universities, and community partners. The organization has held events in DeLand, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Jacksonville, and other Florida locations. Therefore, its work connects school chess with regular rated competition.

🏆 Tournaments and Chess Events

The Monthly Chess Challenge is the organization’s principal current tournament series. Chess In Schools runs these one-day events in DeLand throughout the year. Earlier editions took place at Stetson University. Meanwhile, the 2026 series uses the Courtyard by Marriott DeLand Historic Downtown as its main venue.

Each Monthly Chess Challenge offers separate adult and scholastic sections. Players complete five Swiss-system rounds at G/25 with a five-second delay. The adult section awards cash prizes, while the scholastic section offers trophies. In addition, rating-category prizes give developing players further competitive goals.

The August Chess Challenge 2026 continues this established format. It takes place on August 22 at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown DeLand. The adult section advertises a $625 prize fund based on 30 paid entries, with $313 guaranteed. Moreover, first-time scholastic participants can receive a free one-year US Chess membership.

Chess In Schools also has experience with larger championship events. In 2017, C.H.E.S.S. organized the Arnold Denker Florida State Championship in Jacksonville. The festival offered six classical sections and an advertised prize fund of $11,000. It also included quick, blitz, and scholastic championships. As a result, players of many ages and ratings could compete during the same weekend.

The organizing team handles regulations, entries, schedules, pairings, awards, and US Chess rating reports. Furthermore, it supplies boards and pieces at its monthly tournaments. Players normally bring their own clocks.

🌱 Scholastic Chess and Community Development

Chess education forms the central purpose of Chess In Schools. The organization promotes chess as a practical tool for concentration, planning, decision-making, and problem-solving. It also works to make tournament chess more accessible to children who may have limited previous experience.

The scholastic section at each Monthly Chess Challenge gives young players a clear entry point. Beginners can learn tournament procedures in a structured environment. Meanwhile, experienced juniors can compete for trophies and improve their US Chess ratings. Separate awards for unrated and lower-rated players also encourage wider participation.

In addition, the organization helps new players obtain US Chess membership. The free membership offer for eligible first-time scholastic participants reduces an important entry barrier. Therefore, children can begin rated competition without paying the normal membership cost.

Stephen Lampkin also supports tournaments organized by other chess groups. For example, he has provided tournament direction, equipment, and technical assistance for events connected with the Volusia County and Jacksonville chess communities. These partnerships strengthen the regional tournament program and help local clubs deliver properly rated events.

Through monthly tournaments, school outreach, and regional cooperation, Chess In Schools creates regular opportunities for both children and adults. Its program connects chess education with practical competition. Consequently, players can move from introductory school activity to established US Chess-rated events.