Results
Measuring what matters
We will measure what matters most: who participates, who continues, how access grows, and how coaches develop.
RESEARCH & EVIDENCE
Why we run it this way
We did not invent the approach. The research on the chess gender gap points at a small number of specific things, and the program is built to do those things.
| Measure | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The gap is not ability. | Across more than 680,000 US Chess players tracked over nearly three decades, girls and boys who begin at the same age and rating improve at the same rate. Girls leave sooner. That is the gap. | Angela Li, Mark E. Glickman & Christopher F. Chabris, Across the Board: Sex, Ratings, and Retention in Competitive Chess, 38 CHANCE, no. 3, at 11 (2025). doi:10.1080/09332480.2025.2560279 |
| Balance in the room closes it. | In places where more girls play from the start, the difference in starting ratings shrinks. The study also found similar development among girls and boys with similar starting age and rating. | Angela Li, Mark E. Glickman & Christopher F. Chabris, Across the Board: Sex, Ratings, and Retention in Competitive Chess, 38 CHANCE, no. 3, at 11 (2025). DOI: 10.1080/09332480.2025.2560279 |
| Adults carry part of the bias. | Parents and mentors may perceive less chess potential in girls than in boys. The research highlights the importance of supportive adults and well-prepared coaches in creating an environment where girls can develop and remain in chess. | Sophie H. Arnold, April H. Bailey, Wei Ji Ma, Jennifer Shahade & Andrei Cimpian, Checking Gender Bias: Parents and Mentors Perceive Less Chess Potential in Girls, 153 Journal of Experimental Psychology: General 1 (2024). DOI: 10.1037/xge0001466 |
| The problem is national. | Women and girls remain underrepresented in U.S. Chess. As of May 2026, female members represented 13.04% of total US Chess membership, despite continued growth in female participation. | US Chess Women’s Committee, Women’s Program Director Report, 2026 |
From the sessions
What we measure
Eighth Rank Chess is designed to create more opportunities for children to learn and participate in chess. As the program grows, we will track the parts of the experience that matter most: participation, continued engagement, learning progress, and access.
History
How we got here
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2025
Initiative Began in Chicago
Eighth Rank Chess began in Chicago through chess instruction and educational activities with children. This early work highlighted the need for accessible, structured chess education and greater opportunities for girls to participate and continue developing their skills.
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2026
Organization & Program Launch
Building on this experience, Eighth Rank Chess was formally established as an organization and launched its structured chess curriculum and educational programs. The program supports students from foundational chess skills through tactics, strategy, openings, and tournament preparation, with a special focus on creating more opportunities for girls while welcoming students of all skill levels.
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2027
Community Expansion
Eighth Rank Chess will expand access to its programs through partnerships with schools, libraries, chess clubs, and community organizations, creating additional opportunities for students to learn, compete, and develop through chess.
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2028
Expanding Access
Eighth Rank Chess will continue expanding its educational programs and developing a scalable model that can be implemented in additional communities through trained coaches and institutional partnerships.
Get involved
Be Part of Eighth Rank Chess
Whether you’re a student, parent, coach, school, community organization, or supporter, there’s a way to get involved. We will reply within two business days with the next concrete step.