Strategic Thoughts NOLA

05/13/2026

Dear chess players,

Thank you for playing in our May Youth Chess Meet and congratulations to all the schools and section winners!

First place finishers

A special shout out to the following players for winning first in their section.
K-2, Rohan Sarakar & Niva Ou
K-4, Shamshad Jadoon
K-6, Nayan Janumpally
K-8, Evan Seal
K-12, Kristofferson Mercadel & Ishan Samant

Lower championship, Brody Bourque
Upper championship, Jack Landry

Other chess clubs and camps

Kendric Perkins runs the The Historic New Orleans Collection Chess Club, a free chess club that does not require a US Chess membership. In addition to casual play, members engage in humanities-based research and study related to the game of chess.

Nick Matta will be running a chess camp this summer at Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans.

Downriver Chess Club of New Orleans also organizes US Chess-rated weekly club nights! All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Mondays at Turtle Bay, 1119 Decatur St. 6:45 PM. G/15

Tuesdays at Morning Call, 5101 Canal Blvd. 6:45 PM. G/90;d5

Thursdays at Cafe Envie, 1241 Decatur St. 6:45 PM. G/15
Socials

The New Orleans Youth Chess Series is a triad partnership between Strategic Thoughts NOLA,Crescent City Chess, and Downriver Chess. You may click those links to follow us on the socials and see event photos and local chess news.

Next events in the youth chess series
We're working quickly to lock down a calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year. If you know of a school that would like to host a youth chess meet, please let us know!

05/07/2026

Good afternoon,

We are thrilled to invite youth chess players from across the Gulf South to the New Orleans Youth Chess Championship, the culminating event of our competitive season.

This year has been exceptional, and we look forward to celebrating the hard work and growth of our players with one final weekend of elite competition. The championship will feature two sections:

FIDE Master Nick Matta Invitational
An exclusive bracket where the top six players in each grade division will compete for the prestigious title of NOYC Champion and Gulf South honors.

Open Section
A tournament open to all players, providing a competitive and spirited environment for everyone to celebrate the season together.

Event Details
Location: St. Martin’s Episcopal School
Address: 225 Green Acres Rd, Metairie, LA 70003

04/30/2026

04/25/2026

We are proud to announce the finalists for the NOYC Grand Prix Final FM Nick Matta Invitational. These players represent some of the strongest youth chess talent in the New Orleans Metro region, each vying for the title of 2026 NOYC Grand Prix Series Champion. Congratulations on qualifying, and may the best strategist prevail in the championship rounds on May 9 at St. Martin’s Episcopal School♟️♟️♟️

04/22/2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/nyregion/new-york-chess-kids.html?unlocked_article_code=1.c1A.9AC9.UTeIpYjULEMk&smid=url-share

Children from New York schools are consistently winning national chess championships, and programs dedicated to teaching young people the game are booming.

04/22/2026

The HNOC Chess Club blends the game of chess with creative activities and historical research. Members learn about the rich history of chess in New Orleans from the nineteenth century to the present day. While the club is youth-focused, we encourage family members of all ages to join the gathering. Members also have the opportunity to help plan HNOC’s annual Chess Fest, where we host a community chess tournament and showcase club members’ creative chess projects.

At this meeting, Chess Club leaders will be available to offer instruction for beginner-level players while providing space for stronger players to compete against one another. Through a scavenger hunt and a family genealogy activity, participants will explore the legacy of Ernest Thomas Morphy. An accomplished player in his own right, he was also the uncle and early promoter of chess prodigy Paul Morphy. We will examine rare games Ernest played and trace his connections to the Saulay family, a prominent free family of color linked to Afro-Creole leader Dr. Louis Charles Roudanez.

Admission is free, but registration is required.

https://hnoc.org/events/chess-club-2026-2

04/09/2026

Lycée Français NOLA putting in work!

03/29/2026

5th NOYC 2025-2026 Tournament Grand Prix Photo Dump

Part 2

03/29/2026

5th NOYC 2025-2026 Tournament Grand Prix Photo Dump

Part 1

03/29/2026

Record-breaking turnout for Louisiana youth chess at yesterday’s final qualifying tournament in the New Orleans Youth Chess Grand Prix series! Thank you to .catherineofsienaschool for being such amazing hosts.

The New Orleans Youth Chess Championship will take place on May 9! ♟️🏆

Photo dumps from this past weekend will be posted on the page.

03/27/2026

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/19/medieval-chess-set-equality-respect

Far from being a metaphor for racial tension, chess reveals world where people could engage as equals