Girls4Chess & ICC Milpitas Chess Tournament – A Spectacular Success! ♟️🎉 📍 Milpitas, CA | February 22, 2025
The Girls4Chess Chess Tournament, in partnership with the India Community Center (ICC Milpitas), was an absolute hit!
With 14 talented young minds battling it out over the chessboard, the event was filled with intense competition, strategic brilliance, and tons of fun!
A Day of Strategy, Excitement & Learning The tournament featured both USCF-rated and unrated sections, allowing players of all levels to experience the thrill of competitive chess in a welcoming environment.
With four challenging rounds, each game was a test of skill, patience, and tactics, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats!
Everyone Won in the Game of Chess! From first-time competitors to experienced chess enthusiasts, every participant walked away with new strategies, valuable lessons, and a love for the game stronger than ever! The atmosphere was electric, filled with cheers, thoughtful moves, and moments of pure excitement.
Chess is Growing – Be Part of It! The overwhelming response and positive feedback have us gearing up for even more tournaments and training sessions in the near future. This event proved once again that chess is for everyone, and the passion for the game knows no limits!
♟️ Ready for the Next Challenge? Whether you're a beginner, a future grandmaster, or just love a good game of chess, Girls4Chess welcomes you to be part of our growing community! 🔗 Stay connected for upcoming events at Girls4Chess.org
🎯 Join us at the next tournament and make your move! ♟️✨ Chess is more than a game—it’s a way of thinking! See you at the board! 🚀
Girls4Chess Brings Chess to Seniors at Cupertino Senior Center – A Game for All Ages! Cupertino, CA – February 2025
Chess is a game without limits—ageless, timeless, and always evolving. Girls4Chess, founded by Neha Sharan, continues to expand its mission of making chess accessible to all by hosting a special chess learning session for seniors at the Cupertino Senior Center.
In this inspiring event, four senior participants joined to explore the beauty and strategy of chess, learning everything from how to set up the board to mastering the basic movements of each piece. The session was not just about learning—it was about connecting, thinking, and having fun!
A Unique and Fulfilling Experience
Teaching young minds is exciting, but teaching seniors brings a different kind of joy. With patience and curiosity, the seniors embraced each lesson, showing that the desire to learn never fades. Their enthusiasm and engagement turned the session into a truly rewarding experience for both the students and the instructor.
According to Neha Sharan, founder of Girls4Chess,
"Seeing their excitement while learning was amazing! Chess is not just for kids—it’s for everyone. This session proved that age is never a barrier when it comes to learning something new."
More Sessions Coming Soon!
The seniors loved the session and have already requested more! With such a positive response, Girls4Chess is excited to schedule additional classes in the near future, ensuring that everyone—regardless of age—gets to experience the intellectual joy of chess.
This initiative is just another step in Girls4Chess’ mission to break barriers and create a more inclusive chess community.
Chess truly has no age limit—just a limitless world of strategy, learning, and fun! Stay tuned for more sessions!
🚀 Want to be part of our next session? Follow us at Girls4Chess.org and join our journey of bringing chess to all! ♟️✨
Girls4Chess Successfully Hosts Monthly Chess Tournament at India Community Center Milpitas, CA – January 25, 2025
Girls4Chess, in partnership with India Community Center (ICC) Milpitas, successfully hosted its first chess tournament of the year, bringing together 14 talented young players for an afternoon of strategy, competition, and community. This marks the beginning of a monthly tournament series dedicated to fostering a love for chess among K-12 students.
A Day of Chess and Camaraderie
With a format of four rounds and 30-minute games, the tournament offered both USCF-rated and unrated sections, welcoming students of all experience levels. The games were filled with tactical battles, sharp endgames, and impressive performances, proving that chess continues to inspire and challenge young minds.
Recognizing Excellence
Girls4Chess celebrated the players with trophies and Chess.com memberships for the top finishers, while special prizes were awarded to outstanding female participants—reinforcing the organization’s mission to encourage more girls to engage in chess.
A Growing Initiative
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support and collaboration of ICC Milpitas, which provided a fantastic venue for young chess enthusiasts. As part of Girls4Chess’ commitment to expanding chess opportunities, all proceeds from the event will go toward purchasing chess boards, trophies, and materials for future tournaments.
Join Us Next Month!
With the success of this event, Girls4Chess is excited to continue hosting monthly tournaments at ICC Milpitas. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, we invite all K-12 students to join the upcoming tournaments and experience the joy of chess!
A huge thank you to all the participants, parents, and ICC Milpitas for making this tournament a success. We look forward to seeing even more players next month!
Go Girls4Chess Team!
A Day of Chess and Camaraderie
With a format of four rounds and 30-minute games, the tournament offered both USCF-rated and unrated sections, welcoming students of all experience levels. The games were filled with tactical battles, sharp endgames, and impressive performances, proving that chess continues to inspire and challenge young minds.
Recognizing Excellence
Girls4Chess celebrated the players with trophies and Chess.com memberships for the top finishers, while special prizes were awarded to outstanding female participants—reinforcing the organization’s mission to encourage more girls to engage in chess.
A Growing Initiative
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support and collaboration of ICC Milpitas, which provided a fantastic venue for young chess enthusiasts. As part of Girls4Chess’ commitment to expanding chess opportunities, all proceeds from the event will go toward purchasing chess boards, trophies, and materials for future tournaments.
Join Us Next Month!
With the success of this event, Girls4Chess is excited to continue hosting monthly tournaments at ICC Milpitas. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, we invite all K-12 students to join the upcoming tournaments and experience the joy of chess!
A huge thank you to all the participants, parents, and ICC Milpitas for making this tournament a success. We look forward to seeing even more players next month!
Go Girls4Chess Team!
Celebrating the Success of Our First Girls4Chess Tournament!
On December 7, 2024, we proudly hosted our inaugural Girls4Chess tournament at the India Community Center in Milpitas, California. The event was a resounding success, bringing together 12 enthusiastic players from diverse backgrounds and skill levels for a day filled with friendly competition and camaraderie A Thriving Chess Community :
The tournament featured both rated and unrated sessions, allowing participants to compete at their comfort level. The atmosphere was electric as players showcased their skills on the chessboard. We were thrilled to award 9 trophies to our outstanding winners, celebrating their achievements and hard work.
Event Highlights:
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to several individuals who made this event possible.
Looking Ahead:
Based on the enthusiastic feedback from both parents and students, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting this tournament every month! This initiative aims to foster a vibrant community of young chess enthusiasts and provide them with ongoing opportunities to compete and grow.
Giving Back:
As many of you know, Girls4Chess is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting chess among young players. All fees collected from the tournament will be used to purchase chess boards, organize chess classes/tournament, and provide other chess-related resources.
If you feel inspired to contribute further, we welcome donations—please find the QR code or use the link to donate
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported us! We can’t wait to see you at our next tournament! Together, let’s continue to build a strong community of young chess players! ♟️✨
The tournament featured both rated and unrated sessions, allowing participants to compete at their comfort level. The atmosphere was electric as players showcased their skills on the chessboard. We were thrilled to award 9 trophies to our outstanding winners, celebrating their achievements and hard work.
Event Highlights:
- Location: India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas, CA 95035
- Date and Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 10 AM to 1 PM
- Entry Fee: $20
- Participants: Open to all K-12 students, regardless of gender or experience
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to several individuals who made this event possible.
- Abel Talamantez, who provided invaluable support by installing the rating software and assisting throughout the tournament. His expertise ensured everything ran smoothly.
- Manoj Goel and Deepak Chopra from the India Community Center deserves special recognition for allowing us to host our tournament at their fantastic facility. His support played a crucial role in our success.
Looking Ahead:
Based on the enthusiastic feedback from both parents and students, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting this tournament every month! This initiative aims to foster a vibrant community of young chess enthusiasts and provide them with ongoing opportunities to compete and grow.
Giving Back:
As many of you know, Girls4Chess is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting chess among young players. All fees collected from the tournament will be used to purchase chess boards, organize chess classes/tournament, and provide other chess-related resources.
If you feel inspired to contribute further, we welcome donations—please find the QR code or use the link to donate
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported us! We can’t wait to see you at our next tournament! Together, let’s continue to build a strong community of young chess players! ♟️✨
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