The 7th Annual CMSD League is in full swing, as all of the individually-scored events have concluded and students across the school district are now preparing for the final team championship event on February 18th, 2026!
CMSD League #1 -11/5/25 – 59 players
CMSD League #2 – 12/3/25 – 50 players
CMSD League #3 – 1/7/26 – 61 players
Progress With Chess has officiated 246 USCF rated tournament games as a part of the 2025-2026 CMSD League, with one more event still to commence!
As of the 2025-2026 school year, Progress With Chess is proud to have been providing chess instruction in Cleveland public schools for 25 years. We are committed to providing every student within our reach with access to chess, through classes and competitions. This is why Progress With Chess also provides free entry to participating CMSD schools in our popular Greater Cleveland Scholastic Chess League, which attracts on average over 275 participants to each of its four annual events!
In addition, Progress With Chess launched a new course – the CMSD Chess League Training Program – provided in partnership between the District and Progress With Chess. These free chess lessons for students from participating CMSD Schools provided in 8 sessions throughout the school year are being led by former CMSD League Champion, Progress With Chess Alumni, USCF Expert and Professional Chess Coach Damon Rucker. In addition to teaching the game itself, Mr. Rucker recounts to his students the opportunities chess has provided him, as he has traveled around the US and even the world with friends and family to compete in chess tournaments.
We are thrilled to have had such an amazing opportunity to work with the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools for so many years, and are looking forward to an exciting conclusion to the CMSD League next month!
Photos courtesy of Marlin Helsel Photography
