Chess Mini-Camp

Orlando Chess Open 2024

Welcome to the Florida Junior Chess Club!

My name is Sammy Lou and I am a high school junior. I started the Florida Junior Chess Club in 2024 to build a chess community for kids and teens in Central FL and to create more opportunities for kids to play chess. I have been an enthusiastic chess player since the age of 6 when my dad introduced the game to me. I run my high school chess club and have organized several chess events and tournaments.

The main goal of Florida Junior Chess Club is to organize local chess matches, tournaments, and activities for youth players of various ages and skill levels who share a love for the game of chess. Please check our Events page for upcoming activities!

First Annual Orlando Chess Open, August 10, 2024

  • Co-organized charity chess tournament and helped recruit 48 scholastic participants

  • Tournament raised over $2500 for charity, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida

  • Comment from President of the Orlando Chess Association:
    ”Great job today!  Your role in putting this together is truly remarkable.”

Chess Mini-Camp, July 10-12, 2024

  • Organized a 3-day chess camp for beginners

  • Taught the pieces and strategies of chess through fun minigames

  • Comments from camp participants:
    “It was fun! I felt like I got better at planning ahead.”
    “I got better at strategizing, and I also learned methods for opening moves, checkmating, etc.”

Lake Nona Inaugural 2024 Summer Chess Tournament, July 21, 2024

  • 1st place individual: Scholastic division

2024 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - South, Feb 24, 2024

  • 3rd Place: Scholastic K-12 Team

  • Best Team Under 1400

Space Coast Foundation Chess Tournament, Oct 28, 2023

  • 1st Place: Scholastic K-12 individual

  • 1st Place: Scholastic K-12 Top Team

Trinity Prep Chess Club (ongoing)

  • Organized the inaugural Trinity Prep charity chess tournament, Fall 2023: Donated 10
    chess sets to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida

  • Co-organized an interschool friendly match with two other schools

  • Hosted a visit with members of the University Club of Winter Park

Peak rating on chess.com: 1871