National Scholastic Chess Foundation

National Scholastic Chess Foundation The National Scholastic Chess Foundation - inspiring academic excellence through chess.

The National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization transforming education and inspiring excellence through the power of chess. With programs in over 100 schools and communities across New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and South Florida, our mission is to unlock students’ potential by developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and lifelong habits of lea

rning. We offer chess as an enrichment activity in after-school, as well as breakfast and lunchtime programs. We specialize in integrating chess curriculum into classrooms and offer tailored strategic support for educational partners. Through initiatives like the National Scholar Chess Player awards (co-sponsored alongside the US Chess Trust) and need-based scholarships, we are committed to recognizing and nurturing excellence—both in chess and academics. Our founder, FIDE Master Sunil Weeramantry, is a nationally acclaimed educator with more than 40 years of experience in championing scholastic chess programs. Our Executive Director, National Master Matan Prilleltensky, holds a Master’s in Teaching and is celebrated for coaching multiple national championship-winning teams and advancing curriculum development in chess education. Connect with us to bring the benefits of chess to your school, community, or organization—and join us in empowering young minds for a brighter future.

08/17/2026

What an amazing time Amelia Hernández and Robert McLellan had in Costa Rica with International School Chess Federation!

Folks ask if our kids just do chess all day. Most would like that, but we also have a DOE-certified Phys Ed teacher on s...
08/15/2026

Folks ask if our kids just do chess all day. Most would like that, but we also have a DOE-certified Phys Ed teacher on staff who organizes different activites every day. The girls are taking a break after softball and some of the boys are playing pickle ball. All part of our Summer Chess Camp at The Leffell School. Just I more week of camp available: Visit: https://www.events4chess.com/events/?event_ID=2541
and select Session 6.

Even though I am out of the country, Coach Brandon has still sent me a few photos so I can see the progress our youngest...
08/14/2026

Even though I am out of the country, Coach Brandon has still sent me a few photos so I can see the progress our youngest group is making at our Summer Chess Camp at The Leffell School. It's been an awesome week. Well done kids! Just I more week of camp available: Visit: https://www.events4chess.com/events/?event_ID=2541
and select Session 6. Thanks to Coach Brandon Vila, IM Silas Lund, NM Chris Welcome and Coach Anthony Federici for continuing to inspire our students.

Passing the baton at International School Chess Federation teams tournament in Costa Rica. Yesterday afternoon Amelia He...
08/14/2026

Passing the baton at International School Chess Federation teams tournament in Costa Rica. Yesterday afternoon Amelia Hernández and I did a master class for teachers and then our part of the conference and tournament was done. When we were wrapping up, who should arrive but Grandmaster Gilberto Garcia from Mexico! He had just flown in to do a FIDE Trainers session on Friday. He and Amelia, friends since they met at the 1988 Olympiad in Greece, were so excited to reconnect. That's what I am sure has happened for all the children playing in the tournament: they made friendships with people from many countries that are sure to last a lifetime. Thanks again to Dilda, Nadzeya, Mariyam, Agape, Sergei and all the ISCF crew who invited us to join such an auspicious event.

08/14/2026
08/14/2026

Highlights from the conference yesterday featuring NSCF coach WFM Amelia Hernández and me (Robert McLellan) as prepared by the awesome media team at International School Chess Federation!

Coach Amelia Hernández and Robert McLellan were on panels today at the International School Chess Federation Smart Moves...
08/13/2026

Coach Amelia Hernández and Robert McLellan were on panels today at the International School Chess Federation Smart Moves Americas conference being held in conjunction with the School Teams Tournament. It was an amazing day. We were able to attend the opening ceremony for the tournament and who should sit in our row but famed Spanish chess journalist and promoter Leontxo Garcia who is a long-time friend of Sunil's. We then went to the Cariari Country Club where the conference was being held; there I met another of Sunil's old friends, Allan Herbert, president of the Barbados Chess Federation. One of the panelists with me was also from Barbados and leads a new chess in the schools initiative there. Amelia's panel was entirely in Spanish and featured presenters from Costa Rica, Panama and Catalonia. Amelia, as to be expected, did an awesome job representing National Scholastic Chess Foundation. The event was superbly well-organized. Kudos to Dilda and her entire team!!!

I am so impressed watching the team set up for the International School Chess Federation Tournament and Conference which...
08/12/2026

I am so impressed watching the team set up for the International School Chess Federation Tournament and Conference which begins tomorrow in Costa Rica. I managed to bump into Nadzeya Krauchuk who we met at the Mindsets Conference in New York last December. After flying from Latvia, she's smiling and ready for the big event. It has drawn teams and dignitaries from across Latin America and the Caribbean. Can't wait for the opening ceremony tomorrow!

During the annual US Chess Open in Grand Rapids, the American chess world held its annual meetings and presentations. Ou...
08/09/2026

During the annual US Chess Open in Grand Rapids, the American chess world held its annual meetings and presentations. Our own Sunil Weeramantry (shown here with his wife Carolyn) received the Dan Heisman Award for Excellence in Chess Instruction. Of course, in true Sunil fashion, I got the photo from David Llada's X post because by the time Sunil called in he was looking forward to the next chess milestone to achieve. Every now and then it is nice to stop and celebrate the amazing work to date! Congratulations, Sunil!

Once again our coaches report another fabulous week of chess learning at our NSCF Summer Chess Program at The Leffell Sc...
08/08/2026

Once again our coaches report another fabulous week of chess learning at our NSCF Summer Chess Program at The Leffell School. Report cards are going out this morning to parents, but Coach Brandon also likes to send me a few photos so I can see the progress our youngest group is making. Well done kids! Still 2 weeks available: Learn more by visiting https://nscfchess.org/summer-chess-programs/

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