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By Jerry Neugarten, Chair, ICA Youth Committee

ICA has proposed a major upgrade in the chess program in Chicago’s public schools and has offered to take the lead in planning a new program targeted to students in the city’s Title 1 schools. The proposal is outlined in a four-page report entitled “Why Not Chicago?” sent to the office of CEO Ron Huberman on July 9 and a copy is available here. The proposal had been requested by Mr. Huberman’s office on June 10.

The report, drafted by the ICA Youth Committee, outlines the research on the benefits of chess for kids and details thriving programs in other U.S. cities. Based on experience elsewhere, the proposal says the Chicago program could be run on a budget of $300,000 to $400,000, but would not require direct financial assistance from CPS or the city. It lists other organizations which have offered to partner with ICA in planning and running the program.