Chess-Ed Camps and After-School Programs

Chess-Ed Camps and After-School Programs offers chess instruction through chess camps, after-school programs, workshops, tournaments, KUMBAYA scholastic tournaments, and a schools-out workshop. The program includes professional chess instruction and high quality enrichment programs and chess events that focus on chess. It also offers a KUMBAYA MLK Day Schools-Out Workshop as part of its workshop options.

• Ages: 5–17 years old
• Schedule: Example session runs 12/22/25–12/26/25, Tuesday–Friday, 9:00–11:00 a.m. (4 days)

CHESS-ED was founded in 2003. The leadership team includes Shiva Maharaj and Nick Polson. Shiva Maharaj is an International FIDE Trainer and an International Certified Trainer, and Nick Polson is a highly recognized professor in the Booth Ph.D. Program at the University of Chicago. The program states as its mission that it teaches skills that last a lifetime: focus, patience, and problem solving. It describes itself as a premier provider of chess enrichment classes in schools and offers turnkey chess solutions at schools, including after-school programs, camps, workshops, and tournaments that focus on inspiring critical thinking and confidence. Chess-Ed is a sponsor of KUMBAYA scholastic tournaments and events, including KUMBAYA tournaments, workshops, and chess camps, and it partners with schools for turnkey chess solutions.

The program notes that it is bridging the gap between artificial intelligence and chess. COVID-19 precautions include vaccination and compliance with school or program COVID policies, with masks optional. All schools and programs require vaccination and compliance with their COVID policies, and attendees must not have COVID or exhibit any COVID-related symptoms.

Last updated January 15, 2026.