This past weekend, many of our Chess A2Z families traveled to Seaside for the Oregon State Championship, organized by the Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation.
On the drive there, I found ourselves thinking back to our very first trip to Seaside in 2017: my sister Zoey was playing Elementary Platinum. I was playing Primary Platinum. There were just 109 players in total.
This year, the event welcomed 392 players. The rooms are fuller and the energy is bigger. The level of play continues to rise every year. But at the same time, I couldn’t help noticing that most of the kids from back then are no longer playing. Chess, like many things in childhood, is often just a chapter. Some stay with it, many move on. And that’s okay. But what stays is the experience: the friendships, the memories, and the quiet confidence built along the way.
For me, this is why what we do at Chess A2Z matters. It’s not just about stronger players or bigger tournaments. It’s about creating a space where kids enjoy the journey while they’re in it, and they feel a sense of belonging, growth, and connection.
As we look ahead, our hope is simple: let’s keep the fun going!
