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6From KCF Young Stars to Tata Steel Challengers Champion – Congrats to Andy Woodward
Congratulations to our student Andy Woodward on winning the Tata Steel Challengers and qualifying for the Tata Steel Masters 2027. A current participant in KCF’s Young Stars program, Andy’s phenomenal result, 10 points out of 13, a +23 rating gain, and a 2750 performance rating, underscores how the program continues to develop and produce top-level champions. Interested in participating in Young Stars, here’s how to apply.
KCF European Young Star Christian Gloeckler Qualifies for Tata Steel Challengers 2027
Congratulations to our European Young Stars student, Christian Gloeckler, on winning the Tata Steel Qualifiers with a phenomenal 8.5/9 score and earning his place in the Tata Steel Challengers 2027! A proud student of our European Young Stars program, Christian hails from Germany. To see more pics, check out our Instagram account.
Take Your Game to the Next Level
KCF Academy is the go-to learning platform for chess players at every level, featuring interactive instruction and master-class lectures designed to help you refine your game and think like a champion. No matter your age or experience, KCF Academy helps you improve through interactive video lessons and master-class content built to strengthen your skills and take your game further. www.kcfacademy.org
New York Chess Education Conference
The “Mindsets: New York Chess in Education Conference,” co-presented by the Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF), took place in NYC on Dec. 6, 2025. Among the highlights were Garry Kasparov sharing insights on the power of growth mindsets in driving performance and personal development. Read the ChessBase article, here.
Crowning Tomorrow’s Chess Queens at the All-Girls National Championship
The KCF All-Girls National Chess Championship is the premier all-girls chess tournament in the United States, bringing together young female players under 18 to compete in age-based sections and showcase their skills from April 10–12, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago. Champions in each age group will also earn the honor of representing the USA at the World Cadet and World Youth Championships, making this event a powerful opportunity for competition, growth, and community in girls’ chess. For more information, click here.