KTown Chess Festival 2026

The U.S. Chess Center, in partnership with Kensington CAN! and the Town of Kensingon, MD, is pleased to present a FREE Chess in the Park tournament at Flinn Park on Saturday, October 10th, from 12:30pm until 3:00pm.  Students in grades 2-8 that know the real rules of chess and understand tournament etiquette are invited to participate in this friendly (and free) chess competition.  There is no cost to participate and students may play one or more games.  We will present awards to the top players, including top girl and top schools (so encourage others from your school to register and play).  Space is limited, however, so please register in advance.  Drop-ins and on-site registration will be allowed.

Families and community are welcome to the festival and there will be chess related activities including oversized chess for the little ones! There will be an area where families may wait during the games, but parents/spectators are not allowed in the playing area.

The U.S. Chess Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission of promoting self-confidence, social skills, and academic success for all (by teaching chess).  We are the most experienced chess-teaching organization in the country and we provide students from throughout the Washington metropolitan area opportunities to meet as friends and equals over the chessboard at during- and after-school programs, weekend classes, tournaments, and special events.  Since 1992, we have taught the game to over 40,000 schoolchildren representing more than 150 schools in the National Capital Area.

To learn more about the U.S. Chess Center visit: https://chessctr.org