Welcome to the Hoosier Chess Academy!

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering chess programs to PK-12 children and adults in Southern Indiana

Complete Calendar

Event descriptions
How to Register for all events

We use onlineregistration.cc for registration for all our events!

IT’S SAFE, SECURE, QUICK, AND EASY!

  1. Use the QR code or type in onlineregistration.cc: We recommend bookmarking the URL on your device, but if you forget, you can always visit our website to access it, too.

  2. Scroll down to where you see the heading “Hoosier Chess Academy”: Many other organizers use the same site for registration, so you’ll need to find us specifically.

  3. Click the desired event you wish to register for: Remember, we now use this site for everything, you get familiar!

  4. Click “Buy One”: EVEN IF AN EVENT IS FREE, THE BUTTON WILL STILL SAY “BUY ONE.”

  5. Type in your child’s first and last name at the top, not the adult’s: This way the advance entry list will display the child’s name instead of the parent’s/adult’s.

  6. Fill in all the required information boxes, including purchasing or renewing a USCF membership if necessary: Some of our events will require you or your child to have a valid U.S. Chess Federation membership and ID number. Visit new.uschess.org to get one or check your expiration.

  7. Submit your registration and payment: Shortly afterward, you will receive a confirmation email. Add your registration to your calendar so you don’t forget!

How to register for our events

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All our programs in a nutshell

Unless otherwise noted, all our public programs are at Faith Lutheran Church, 2200 S High St, Bloomington, IN 47401.

Prodigy-in-Training (PIT) Meets
1:30–3:30pm first Sundays

October 5   March 1
November 2  April 5
December 7  May 3
January 4   June 7
February 1  July 5

Hoosier Chess Circuit Matches
1:15–5pm third Sundays

October 19  March 15
November 16  April 19
December 21  May 17
January 18   June 21
February 15  July 19

Annual Tournaments and Events

October 18
February 21–22
May 16

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Our Community Impact:

Here’s how Hoosier Chess Academy helps kids grow, learn, and connect.

40 students participated at club meetings during the 2024-25 season, building confidence and friendships through chess.

150+ students are projected to enroll in after-school chess enrichment at 5 school sites in 2025-26, helping more kids think critically and logically over the board and in life.

45 campers participated in camp sessions in Summers 2024 and 2025, developing essential skills and creating lifelong memories.

READ OUR ANNUAL REPORTS

CHESS IS…

Logic…Problem-solving…Critical thinking…Patience…Flexibility…A safe space…Teamwork…Sportsmanship…Resilience…Emotional regulation…Socialization…Competition…A game for EVERYBODY!


  • “Chess is like a puzzle I get to solve every game. It’s fun and challenging!”

    Ritika, University Elementary chess student

  • “Playing chess helps develop thinking skills—and especially when you’re living in a foreign country, it’s a great way to make new friends.”

    Jason, University Elementary chess student

  • "My older brother plays chess. I realized there's no game quite like it, and it challenges my brain to think in unique ways."

    Kai, HCA chess camper

  • "Students who play chess are better equipped for life. The game offers a safe space for children who may not otherwise have safety at home. I love watching our chess kids enjoy the game and succeed in a whole range of academic and social areas because of it."

    Ben Foley, President & Director

Get to know us:

  • Ben Foley, LSI

    President & Director

    Ben Foley, LSI
  • Rebecca Harris

    Secretary

  • Jimmy Brown

    Program Instructor

  • Vedanta Das

    Program Instructor

  • Jake Elwell

    Program Instructor

  • Adrian Polit

    Sunday Club Meetings Instructor

  • Shashank Badrinarayanan

    Program Instructional Aide

  • Mahir Shah

    Program Instructional Aide

  • James Fitzpatrick

    Program Instructional Aide

Our partners: