About Us

Christina Heffner

“Chess has the power to capture the focus of individuals, even amongst a worldwide attention deficit.”

Christina Heffner – Executive Director

Where Baltimore Plays Chess.

Our Program at a Glance
Student Alumni
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Active Years
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Current Schools in Our Program
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Mission Statement
Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that exists to promote scholastic chess educational opportunities in Baltimore City that foster skills necessary for overall academic achievement.
Our Core Values
BKCL is an inclusive organization that offers opportunities for youth in the Baltimore area to experience the joy and accomplishment of playing chess.
Our philosophy
BKCL offers a ready-built chess club system that includes trained coaches, materials, competitions, and partnerships to enhance the chess experience for Baltimore youth.

Josiah Lindsay  was a player, then assistant coach in BKCL who demonstrated kindness, thoughtfulness, and a giving spirit. Encouraging of others, Josiah was always happy, confident, and fun to be around. He never got angry or frustrated when he lost a chess game (although usually he won!).  He remained calm and collected and took each loss as a learning experience.

In memory of Josiah, BKCL honors him by awarding “The Josiah Lindsay award” to a senior who  displays those same attributes.

Julian Shifflet- '23-'24 Josiah Lindsay award winner