Breaking Barriers: The Only Girl at the Chess Tournament
NORCAL HIGH SCHOOL CHESS ASSOCIATION BAY AREA TOURNAMENT
Last Saturday (10/26/2024), I participated in the NORCAL High School Chess Association Bay Area Tournament, and once again, I stood as the only girl in the room. While it can feel daunting, I choose to see this as an opportunity to inspire change.
Where are all the girls? Chess is a game for everyone, and we need more female voices at the board! My presence matters because representation is powerful. When girls see other girls competing, it sends a message: we belong here!
Yes, there are challenges—cultural stereotypes, a lack of role models, and the intimidation of competing in a male-dominated space. But we can overcome these barriers together!
To all the girls out there: Don’t let anything hold you back! Your passion for chess can pave the way for others. Join girls4chess.org , share your love for the game, and seek out mentors who inspire you.
Every tournament entered and every game played is a step toward a more inclusive future in chess. Let’s break down barriers and show the world that girls can excel at chess! Together, we can create a vibrant community where everyone feels empowered to compete!
Where are all the girls? Chess is a game for everyone, and we need more female voices at the board! My presence matters because representation is powerful. When girls see other girls competing, it sends a message: we belong here!
Yes, there are challenges—cultural stereotypes, a lack of role models, and the intimidation of competing in a male-dominated space. But we can overcome these barriers together!
To all the girls out there: Don’t let anything hold you back! Your passion for chess can pave the way for others. Join girls4chess.org , share your love for the game, and seek out mentors who inspire you.
Every tournament entered and every game played is a step toward a more inclusive future in chess. Let’s break down barriers and show the world that girls can excel at chess! Together, we can create a vibrant community where everyone feels empowered to compete!
Positioned Saratoga High School in the Third Place at the Spring DTech Tournament,
April 28, 2024
I'm excited to be the Saratoga officer at Norcal HS Chess Association
-An organization run by HS students who conduct chess tournaments for highschool students in norcal!!
-I won second place!
-Overall, my high school team won third place!
www.instagram.com/p/C6flY0CLYYs/?img_index=1
-An organization run by HS students who conduct chess tournaments for highschool students in norcal!!
-I won second place!
-Overall, my high school team won third place!
www.instagram.com/p/C6flY0CLYYs/?img_index=1
Girls4Chess is officially a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization!
We are thrilled to announce that **Girls4Chess** is officially a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization! This milestone marks a significant step forward in our mission to empower young girls through the game of chess.
This year has been incredible as we continue to grow and make a positive impact. We’ve expanded our team by welcoming 7 new members who are just as passionate about our cause. We are also collaborating with schools to organize our next tournament, bringing more opportunities for girls to showcase their talent and learn valuable skills.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting events!
This year has been incredible as we continue to grow and make a positive impact. We’ve expanded our team by welcoming 7 new members who are just as passionate about our cause. We are also collaborating with schools to organize our next tournament, bringing more opportunities for girls to showcase their talent and learn valuable skills.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting events!
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FREE Girls Chess Summer Camp, July 2024
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I'm thrilled to share the incredible success of the Girls4Chess Summer Camp, which wrapped up its July sessions with a bang!
Over the past month, every Sunday has been a chess-tastic adventure filled with learning, strategy, and fun. We had a total of 18 students register, where 17 of them were female chess players!! Love to see girls playing chess! We had age ranges all the way from 6-year-olds to 17-year-olds. |
Successful Completion of the Second Saratoga High School Scholastic Chess Tournament in Collaboration with girls4chess.org!
www.linkedin.com/pulse/successful-completion-second-saratoga-high-school-chess-neha-sharan-zf4le/?trackingId=6km0U0sYASMlU83xoNZ%2FMw%3D%3D
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Saratoga HS Scholastic Chess Tournament, May 19, 2024
Last week, May 19th, I conducted a chess tournament with the help of my school's chess club. I was the tournament director, meaning I took care of conflicts, questions, and the overall running of the tournament. Before the tournament I oversaw advertising to all schools around the bay area, creating posters, communicating with staff/parents, setting up the tournament room, sending mass emails, answering questions, and sending out flyers. The hard work paid off in a great turnout of 34 kids registered in the chess tournament!
Here I learned how to communicate to younger audiences effectively. I built on my ability to run tournaments by ensuring the rounds ran smoothly and quickly.
I also learned greatly about finance. Here each entry was charged $10 which led us to a total of $340 earned. I had to budget the cost of trophies (crowntrophy.com) , food, and flyers.
All funds earned will go back towards Saratoga HS Chess Tournaments.
Total girls count: 3
Out of 34 kids, we only had 3 female participants. We hope to have more girls playing chess in our next tournament.
Here I learned how to communicate to younger audiences effectively. I built on my ability to run tournaments by ensuring the rounds ran smoothly and quickly.
I also learned greatly about finance. Here each entry was charged $10 which led us to a total of $340 earned. I had to budget the cost of trophies (crowntrophy.com) , food, and flyers.
All funds earned will go back towards Saratoga HS Chess Tournaments.
Total girls count: 3
Out of 34 kids, we only had 3 female participants. We hope to have more girls playing chess in our next tournament.
2024 Bay Area HS Blitz Championships
NorCal High School Chess Association
March 16, 2024
Participated in the Crystal Springs Uplands School in conjunction with the NorCal High School Chess Association and I am the only girl participant.
This motivated me to start Girls4Chess organization!
This motivated me to start Girls4Chess organization!
Neha Sharan, of Saratoga High School, plays chess at the 2024 Bay Area High School Blitz Championships, hosted by the Crystal Springs Uplands School in conjunction with the NorCal High School Chess Association. The placings for the tournament are: first, Shawnak Shivakumar, Menlo-Atherton, (perfect 6/6); second, Arjun Sankar, Evergreen Valley 5/6; third, Ayush Bheemiah, Cupertino 5/6. There were a total of 70 registrants, with 16 total schools and 10 competing schools. Winning teams are Evergreen Valley in first, Harker in second and Nueva in third. Anyone interested in future tournaments can check out NHSCACHESS.org.
www.smdailyjournal.com/community/class-notes-2024-bay-area-high-school-blitz-championships/image_6afb791a-ed8c-11ee-bd6e-e781c8f99075.html
www.smdailyjournal.com/community/class-notes-2024-bay-area-high-school-blitz-championships/image_6afb791a-ed8c-11ee-bd6e-e781c8f99075.html
Tournament Director -Mechanics' Institute
March 30, 2024
I recently had the privilege of serving as the Tournament Director for the prestigious 2024 San Francisco Scholastic Chess Championship, hosted by the esteemed Mechanics Institute. This event, held on March 30, 2024, gathered some of the brightest chess talents, particularly among 9th-grade students with a rating of 1000+. It was a rewarding experience to oversee such a significant tournament, and I extend my gratitude to the Mechanics Institute for granting me this opportunity. Find out more about the event here: Link to the tournament.
https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/2024-san-francisco-scholastic-chess-championship
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With Chief TD
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The First Ever Shooting Star Foundation Summer Chess Camp
May14-Aug14 2023 (14 classes)
I was honored to lead the first ever summer chess camp by Shooting Stars Foundation.
I was assigned the lead role this meant I had the job of teaching the most advanced groups in this program, communicating with parents, conducting tournaments, and have the role as the head chess coach.
Here my team and I planned lessons weekly and taught the students on zoom. I additionally provided private/group lessons for students who were falling behind.
On top of this I conducted chess.com online tournament almost every day.
The fee collected from this tournament was donated to Shooting Stars Foundation 1100$
Thank you Shooting Stars Foundation!
https://shooting-stars-foundation.org/about-us/#Team
ZOOM call on the summer camp