Dear Parents, Coaches and Students,
Polk Scholastic Chess (PSC) is a nonprofit organization offering an extracurricular activity open to all students of Polk County, Florida, enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, including home-schooled students (who are residents of Polk County). We exist to encourage academic growth through the game of chess. PSC has been committed since over 30 years to “encouraging academic growth through the game of chess”.
Check out the tournament schedule for the 2024-25 season!
Our tournament setting allows the students to be as competitive as they want to be and challenged, yet not penalized due to their ability level. Polk County students are encouraged to register online at www.polkscholasticchess.com. Additionally, we recognize graduating seniors who have had an extended length of participation with Polk Scholastic Chess and who have made active contributions to their school and community. As part of this encouragement for academic growth we award two scholarships to graduating seniors (more info check the "Scholarship" page).
We encourage parents to use the summer vacation to teach new tricks to their children and make them better players.
NOTE FOR FOOD VENDORS and FOOD TRUCKS: We invite insured food vendors to apply for participation at our tournaments. We ask that you provide us a money order of $100 per tournament day, a proof of your insurance, hold harmless, additional riders, as well as the background checks for all of your staff who will be present on site. We reserve the right to review the menu and approve or deny items, if there is a conflict with a previously approved vendor (we have first come first come policy as well as we try to minimize competition for same food menu.
OUR PASSION
The board members at Polk Scholastic Chess believe that the game of Chess is an exciting way to teach critical thinking skills, sequencing, sportsmanship, self-control, and many other skills important for academic growth and development. We have seen the progress of students who play chess and their improvement academically. Even if your student is not a high achiever, or has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, Chess is for everyone!
The board members are volunteers drawn from a diverse constituency of technocrats, professionals, medical practitioners, school board specialists, parents and entrepreneurs committed to student academics. The board members have contributed their time, energy and funds for maintaining Florida's largest scholastic chess tournament framework for over 30 years with their experience, commitment, diverse opinions and connections, while keeping one common mission.
Polk Scholastic Chess is a nonprofit organization established in the State of Florida, offering an extracurricular activity open to all students of Polk County, Florida, enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, including home-schooled students. PSC has been committed since over 25 years to “encouraging academic growth through the game of chess”.