Chess4Girls. Inspiring Future Queens.

San Diego · 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Inspiring future queens

Chess4Girls is a San Diego nonprofit that gets more girls to the board, from local meetups to weekly coaching for students in Tamil Nadu, India.

Girls playing chess at a Chess4Girls event

Our mission

Chess4Girls empowers young minds and fosters independent thinking through the game of chess.

Read our story →
65+
Children taught chess in India
20
Students receiving weekly coaching
7+
Years our founder has played
2025
Founded

Partners

Who we work with

All partners
San Diego Chess Academy logo

San Diego Chess Academy

What they do

San Diego Chess Academy provides structured, in-person chess education for children and young players in the San Diego community. Through chess classes, clubs, and tournaments, the academy helps students develop strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence, supporting players from beginners through competitive tournament levels.

What we do together

Chess4Girls partners with San Diego Chess Academy to make chess more accessible to young girls through free, beginner-friendly workshops. Led by Chess4Girls founder Iniya Mathivanan and hosted at San Diego Chess Academy, these workshops introduce girls ages 5–12 to chess in a welcoming, supportive environment. Participants learn chess fundamentals, develop problem-solving skills, and build confidence through hands-on instruction. Our October 2026 workshop series includes sessions scheduled for October 3 and October 24. Together, we aim to expand opportunities for girls to discover chess, continue learning, and become part of a supportive chess community.

CEDAR logo

CEDAR

What they do

Centre for Education, Development, Action and Research is an NGO in Tamil Nadu, India, founded in 1994. It serves children from marginalized communities through programs that range from photography and art to chess.

What we do together

Chess4Girls designed the chess curriculum and taught it at CEDAR's centers in Lingavadi, Kovalpatti and Madurai, reaching at least 65 children. We now fund weekly coaching for the students and plan to sponsor tournament entries as they progress.

Photos

Moments from the board

All photos
  • Iniya coaching notation at a Chess4Girls session in India, June 2025.

    Iniya coaching notation at a Chess4Girls session in India, June 2025.

  • The "capture" lesson, taught in Tamil so every student could follow.

    The "capture" lesson, taught in Tamil so every student could follow.

  • A first game between two new players.

    A first game between two new players.

  • A student lines up her next move.

    A student lines up her next move.

  • Iniya at a tournament, where Chess4Girls began.

    Iniya at a tournament, where Chess4Girls began.

Support girls in chess

Your gift funds coaching, tournament entries, and chess sets for girls who would not otherwise have them.

Donate now