StormChess Club

I want to start a real chess club where kids can play, learn, and get better together.

Right now it is still growing. I want it to be a real place where kids can come play chess, learn new things, and not feel left out.

Keith at a Chess4Smiles tournament.
Chess4Smiles

I played in this tournament because I liked that it helped more kids get chess sets.

Mission

Why a chess club matters

Chess helped me. I think it can help other kids too.

Chess helps me focus, calm down, and notice patterns. I have seen it help other kids too, and that is one reason I care so much about this club.

I want this club to feel welcoming, especially for kids who sometimes feel out of place in other groups.

It's not just about winning games

Chess teaches you to slow down, think first, and try again when you mess up. I think that helps in regular life too, not just on the board.

I want to build a club where kids learn those skills together.

What we do

Club activities

Weekly lessons

I teach chess concepts step by step - from how the pieces move all the way up to tournament tactics. Every lesson is designed so kids can follow along on their own board.

Puzzles and challenges

We solve puzzles together. I pick ones that match what we're learning, so they feel fun instead of impossible. There's a daily puzzle on this website too.

Practice games

Playing real games is how you actually get better. Club members play each other and talk about what happened after. That's where the real learning is.

Community projects

Like Chess4Smiles - I competed in a tournament that raised money to buy chess sets for kids in hospitals. I want to be part of more projects like that. Chess should be something you share.

Photos

What club days look like

I wanted to show the new rec center photo and the flyer drop-offs too, because this is part of the real beginning of the club.

Keith in front of the rec center for the new chess club.
In front of the rec center where the new club is starting.
Keith smiling in front of Cathedral City Library after dropping off flyers for the new chess club.
Dropping off club flyers at Cathedral City Library so more kids can find StormChess.
Keith out around town helping promote the upcoming first StormChess club meeting.
Helping build excitement for the first meeting by sharing flyers around town.
Keith helping spread the word about the new StormChess club ahead of the first meeting.
More real-world outreach before opening day so local families hear about the club.
Keith playing a focused game at chess club.
Playing at chess club with the clock running.
Keith in deep concentration during a chess game.
The kind of focus chess builds.
Keith at a tournament looking back with a scorebook.
Keeping score at a tournament. Every game is data.
Keith playing chess while fishing at a lake.
Chess doesn't have to be indoors. I play everywhere.
Where this is going

Future goals

Bring chess to schools

I want to make something schools and after-school places can actually use, not just one little club that disappears.

Partner with recreation districts

Rec centers already have a lot of activities, and I think chess should be one of them too.

Run real tournaments

I want tournaments to feel exciting and real, but not scary.

Grow the community

I hope more kids join, more families care about it, and maybe someday there will be more than one StormChess Club.

Get involved

Interested in StormChess Club?

If you want to play, help, or ask about the club, you can send me a message.

Even if you do not live nearby, it still helps me to know people are interested.

Send a note

Tell me who you are and what you're interested in.

Email me about the club Use the contact form
For families Safe, supervised, no-pressure chess for your kid
For schools A structured chess program you can bring to your students
For rec districts A ready-made chess club curriculum