Berkeley Chess School
Primary and Secondary EducationCalifornia, United States11-50 Employees
Berkeley Chess School is a nonprofit educational organization based in Berkeley, California, that provides chess instruction and tournament play for young people. Founded in 1982 by Elizabeth Shaughnessy, the school operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has grown from a single after-school class to serving thousands of students across more than 150 schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its work focuses on expanding access to chess education in primary and secondary settings, delivering instruction in schools and supporting competitive play through tournaments. The organization positions itself within the education sector, using chess as a tool to engage students from kindergarten through 12th grade and to promote cognitive development through structured activities. In recent activity, Berkeley Chess School participated in the 12th Annual Williams-Easterling Community Chess Tournament in March 2025, reflecting ongoing involvement in community events and competitive events for its students.