Chess Cardinals, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting chess and making it accessible to everyone in our community. Since November 2021, we have been organizing weekly tournaments for chess players of all levels, from novice to master. Our entry fees have been as low as $5 per tournament, making us one of the most affordable chess clubs in the state of Missouri.
Our mission is to enrich lives and build a strong, vibrant community through the promotion of chess. We believe that chess provides invaluable cognitive benefits, improves memory and focus, and enhances creativity. Moreover, chess brings diverse groups of people together and unites a community. However, there are hurdles that stand in the way, such as the cost of chess equipment, expensive training programs, limited availability of long-time control tournaments on a frequent interval, and gender imbalances.
Our goal is to address these issues and make chess accessible to everyone. We have never turned away anyone who can’t afford the entry fees to our Thursday tournaments. Our tournaments have successfully brought numerous first-time scholastic and adult players into chess, and we are constantly aiming to improve the participation of female players in our tournaments through role models and building camaraderie among them.
We are excited to announce that we have now leased approx 900 sq ft space at Four Seasons Shopping Center, Chesterfield. This new location will enable us to organize more tournaments, offer training programs, and promote scholastic chess through affordable after-school and summer programs. We are seeking your support to help us continue our mission of making chess more accessible to our community. Your donation will help us:
- Organize more low-cost tournaments and training programs for the general public.
- Develop affordable afterschool and summer chess programs to promote scholastic chess.
- Create a chess excellence program to increase female players’ participation.
Your donation, no matter how small, will make a significant impact in helping us achieve our goals. Together, we can build a strong chess community that promotes accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity. Your donations are tax-deductible & 100% of all proceeds will be used for attaining Chess Cardinals overall mission in promoting chess. Chess Cardinals is run 100% by volunteers. No salaried personnel employed. You can choose the level of sponsorship.
Brilliancy Club:
Donations of $2000 or more qualify for the Brilliancy Club tier OR, has sponsored 20 or more tournaments ($100 ea.) —Donate NOW
The intricate moves and strategies that chess players use can be both thrilling and awe-inspiring. One particular type of move is the “Brilliancy” which is characterized by its unexpectedness, beauty, and complexity. It’s a move that leaves onlookers spellbound and in awe of the player’s skill. Similarly, a top-tier donation for a non-profit chess club can also be described as a “brilliancy move.” Donors who make a significant contribution of $2000 or more to the chess club OR, has sponsored 20 or more tournaments ($100 ea.) become members of the Brilliancy Club, as this tier of donation is characterized by its profound impact, just like the move itself.
As a Brilliancy Club member, donors will receive the following:
- Donor acknowledgement at the beginning of sponsored tournament.
- Donation will receive acknowledgement on the club’s website, printed literature, and social media posts,
- Donor’s business/corporate logo or name will be featured on a 6×3 ft banner at the sponsored events.
Intermezzo club:
Donations of $1000-$1999 qualify for the Intermezzo Club tier OR, has sponsored 10 or more tournaments ($100 ea.) —Donate NOW
Intermezzo (the Italian word for ‘in-between’, or sometimes also called as Zwischenzug) involves making an unexpected, in between chess move that opens up new possibilities. In the same vein, the Intermezzo Club donation tier for a non-profit chess club is a strategic move that can have a significant impact on the club and its members. Donors who make a contribution between $1000-$1999 OR, has sponsored 10 or more tournaments ($100 ea.) become members of the Intermezzo Club and are recognized for their generosity and support of the club’s mission.
- Sponsorship acknowledgement at the beginning of sponsored tournament.
- Donation will receive acknowledgement on the club’s website and social media posts,
- Donor’s business/corporate logo or name will be featured on a 3×2 ft banner at the sponsored events.
Like the Intermezzo move in chess, the Intermezzo Club donation tier is a calculated move that disrupts the status quo, provides an extra tempo and creates new opportunities. It’s a strategic move that helps the club move forward and reach new heights.
LUFT club:
Donations of $100-999 qualify for the Luft Club tier. —Donate NOW
One chess move that exemplifies this strategic thinking is the Luft move. Luft (the German word for ‘air’, or sometimes also refers to ‘breathing space’) involves creating an escape route for the king by moving a pawn to create a “luft hole.” It’s a move that is often underestimated but can be crucial to avoid a back rank checkmate. In the same way, the Luft Club donation tier is a move that may be underestimated but can have a significant impact on the club by giving some Luft to stay functional! Donors who make a contribution between $100-$999 become members of the Luft Club and are recognized for their support of the club’s mission.
- Donation will receive acknowledgement on the club’s website and social media posts,
Though it may seem like a small gesture, this level of sponsorship can be crucial in helping the club continue to provide valuable resources and support to its members. Like the Luft move in chess; the Luft Club donation tier is a strategic move that creates an escape route for the club to continue its mission and serve its members. It’s a move that may not be flashy or showy but is crucial to the success of the club and its members. Their contribution may be small, but it can have a significant impact on the club and its members. It’s a move that showcases the power of generosity and strategic thinking, just like the Luft move in chess.
Chess Cardinals 