Bringing Smart Chess to the Next Generation
From January 3–4, 2026, Chessnut took part in the 1st Annual NYC Metros Scholastic Championships, held in the heart of Times Square, New York.
With more than 1,300 young players competing across multiple divisions, the event marked one of the most influential scholastic chess tournaments in the New York metropolitan area.
For Chessnut, this event represented more than a showcase—it was an opportunity to connect smart chess technology with the next generation of players, parents, and educators.
A Strong Presence at a Major Scholastic Event
Located in a high-traffic sponsor area, the Chessnut booth became a natural gathering point throughout the tournament. Students, parents, and coaches were invited to experience Chessnut boards hands-on—playing real games, exploring intelligent features, and discovering how technology can support learning without taking away from the physical board.
The enthusiasm and sustained engagement across both days reflected a shared belief: the future of chess education lies in meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Products That Engaged Players at Every Level
Two products stood out in particular during the event:
Chessnut Move drew continuous attention from younger players, who were eager to play, experiment, and challenge one another. Its responsive interaction made it approachable and exciting, even for first-time users.
Chessnut EVO appealed strongly to advanced students and parents focused on structured improvement. Its built-in AI gameplay and analysis allowed players to review positions, replay games, and train independently—making it especially relevant in a competitive scholastic environment.
Together, these experiences reinforced Chessnut’s mission:
to keep chess intuitive, educational, and enjoyable at every stage.
Celebrating Young Champions
Chessnut was proud to support the tournament by contributing prizes to selected players.
We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to all players who received Chessnut awards—your dedication, focus, and love for the game truly stood out.
We hope these boards continue to accompany you in your training, learning, and future competitions, and wish every participant continued growth and success on their chess journey.
Connecting with Families and Educators
Throughout the event, Chessnut had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with parents and educators. Many expressed appreciation for tools that encourage independent thinking, support long-term improvement, and allow children to learn through real play rather than passive screen time.
Seeing families explore, compare, and choose boards together reaffirmed our belief that chess technology should empower—not replace—the learning process.
Gratitude to the Team Behind the Scenes
We would like to sincerely thank Wade, who represented Chessnut on-site throughout the event. His professionalism, dedication, and attention to detail ensured that every interaction reflected Chessnut’s values and commitment to quality.
Participating in the NYC Metros Scholastic Championships was both a joyful and meaningful experience for the Chessnut team. We are honored to have been part of an event that celebrates young players and the spirit of scholastic chess.
Looking forward, Chessnut is excited to continue participating in more tournaments, exhibitions, and community events—creating even more opportunities for players to experience our boards firsthand.
We believe that the best way to understand smart chess is to play it, and we look forward to meeting more players over the board in the future.
