1992
The Portland Chess Project, a pilot program funded through a four-year grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust, was established in nine of the worst-performing schools in the Portland Public District; 200 students participated.
1996
At the end of the pilot project, Chess for Success, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is established.
1998
Chess for Success takes responsibility for presenting the Oregon State Chess Tournament.
2000
Chess for Success curriculum is copywritten.
2003
The U.S. Congress commissioned a study of Chess for Success that compared program participants to students from the same school who were not involved in the program.
2006
The final report of the two-year study showed that Chess for Success had accomplished its primary goal of enabling children to be patient and analytical in all problem-solving situations so that there is an increase in their academic achievement and self-esteem. Chess for Success also had an impact on increasing the interest of a strong proportion of girls in analytical problem solving.
2009
First Girls Play Chess Tournament at Harold Oliver Primary School
2018
Chess for Success unveils an advanced curriculum to add to the curriculum used since the beginning of the program.
2019
Chess for Success offers a paid program to schools whose demographics do not qualify for the free program. This is the first year over 100 schools are part of Chess for Success.
2020
In response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, Chess for Success offers online instruction through TheChessSchool.net and virtual Tournament Practices and Tournaments utilizing the lichess.org platform
2022
Chess for Success clubs return to being fully in person and the state tournament is one again held in person.
2023
Chess for Success pilots a new program “Learning and Wellness” in which we incorporate elements of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in order to increase our programs benefits on mental health.
2023
After the successful pilot program of Learning and Wellness, Chess for Success cancels L&W to instead implement elements of the program into all after school programming.