Kasparov Chess Foundation

♟️ About Kasparov Chess Foundation

Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF) is a nonprofit educational chess organization founded by 13th World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov in the United States. Established in 2002, the Foundation promotes chess as an educational and cognitive-development tool for children and young adults. Its work has expanded from American scholastic chess into an international network of educational programs, elite youth training, tournaments, conferences, and partnerships across several regions of the world. KCF develops chess curricula for schools, supports scholastic competitions, and provides opportunities for promising young players to work with leading trainers and grandmasters. Its long-running activities include the KCF All-Girls National Chess Championships, regional scholastic championships, the Young Stars talent-development program, the KCF University Cup, and the online Kasparov Chess Foundation Academy. The Foundation's curriculum materials have been used by more than 3,500 schools across all 50 U.S. states, as well as by schools outside the United States. Michael Khodarkovsky serves as President of the Kasparov Chess Foundation and is a FIDE Senior Trainer who has played a central role in KCF's educational and elite-development programs. The Foundation had an exceptionally active 2026, including a record 601 players from 39 states at the 21st KCF All-Girls National Chess Championships, international Young Stars training sessions, and the inaugural KCF Friendship Festival in Slovenia, which welcomed more than 650 participants. KCF has also opened registration for its 2027 Academy season, with the preseason program beginning in October 2026.

🎓 Chess Education and School Programs

Education has been at the heart of Kasparov Chess Foundation since its creation. KCF promotes chess in curricular classes and after-school programs for elementary, middle, and high-school students. Its instructional program was developed with input from chess masters and professional educators. The Foundation's curriculum includes a structured series of instructional materials designed to introduce chess progressively and help students develop analytical thinking, concentration, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. KCF works with public, private, and home-school communities and has extended its educational reach beyond the United States. The Foundation also supports educators and chess instructors through conferences and professional-development initiatives. In December 2025, KCF and the National Scholastic Chess Foundation jointly presented the MINDSETS Chess in Education Conference in New York City, bringing together educators, researchers, coaches, and representatives of the collegiate chess community.

🌟 Young Stars and Elite Player Development

The Young Stars program is one of KCF's best-known talent-development initiatives. It identifies highly promising junior players and gives selected participants access to intensive training with internationally respected coaches and, at advanced stages, with Garry Kasparov himself. The program has worked with players who later reached the highest levels of competitive chess. Its alumni and participants have included leading American and international junior talents, while the program has progressively expanded from its U.S. base into an international initiative. In July 2026, five selected Young Stars from Ukraine, Belgium, Austria, and England trained in Zagreb during the Grand Chess Tour. Garry Kasparov led the sessions with additional instruction from Michael Khodarkovsky and GM Alexander Motylev. Earlier in 2026, KCF also held a European qualifying training session at the FC Bayern Academy in Munich.

🏆 Scholastic and International Tournaments

Kasparov Chess Foundation organizes and supports competitions ranging from large scholastic championships to international events. Its traditional U.S. tournament portfolio includes the Greater New York Scholastic Chess Championships, Greater Chicago Scholastic Chess Championships, Greater Mid-Atlantic events, Greater California competitions, and the All-Girls Nationals. The 21st Annual KCF All-Girls National Chess Championships, held in Chicago from April 10–12, 2026, set a new participation record with 601 girls representing 39 states. The six-round championship was presented by KCF in association with Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation and US Chess. At collegiate level, KCF created the international online KCF University Cup. The fifth edition in February 2025 attracted more than 100 university teams from 26 countries, with the University of Texas at Dallas winning the overall championship after a tie-break.

🌍 KCF Friendship Festival 2026

One of the Foundation's most significant international developments was the inaugural Kasparov Chess Foundation Friendship Festival, held in Radenci, Slovenia, from June 25 to July 5, 2026. The eleven-day program combined an International Open, the Albin Planinc Memorial Blitz Tournament, youth competitions, Kasparov Chess Day, an international training camp, and a European Trainers Conference. The complete festival welcomed more than 650 participants and brought together players, trainers, families, and chess professionals from around the world. The nine-round International Open attracted a strong field of grandmasters and titled players. GM Xu Xiangyu of China won the tournament after defeating top seed GM Vladimir Fedoseev in a key seventh-round encounter and retaining the lead through the final rounds.

🏅 Recognition and Development

In 2025, the United States Chess Federation presented Kasparov Chess Foundation with a Meritorious Service Award. The award recognized the Foundation's long-term contribution to chess development and education in the United States. KCF continues to broaden its activities internationally through regional foundations, educational partnerships, online instruction, and major in-person events. Its combination of mass-participation scholastic chess and specialized elite training enables the Foundation to work with players across a particularly wide range of ages and competitive levels. The KCF Academy has become an important part of this international expansion. Its 2026 season offered structured online training from beginner through advanced levels, weekly workshops, four progressive training groups, and masterclasses with leading grandmasters. Registration is already open for the 2027 KCF Academy, with its preseason scheduled to begin on October 17, 2026.