Girl Chess Power and Beyond Has Had a Busy Year

Girl Chess Power and Beyond Has Had a Busy Year

In our last issue, we introduced you to Girl Chess Power and Beyond, a nonprofit founded by then 11-year-old Zoe Wong to give girls more opportunities to play chess. Zoe understands that the strategic thinking and knowledge she gains from chess can help us all in our daily lives, and she wanted to give that benefit to other girls so they can be better prepared for the future. She also thinks chess is a lot of fun and wanted to share that fun with others.

As its mission, Girl Chess Power and Beyond is focused on empowering girls (ages five to 18) and encouraging them to be confident and independent and to achieve their own goals by playing chess, volunteering, and acquiring new knowledge. These experiences strengthen their critical thinking skills, foster generosity, and support them in achieving their own goals. Through chess classes, summer chess programs, and chess tournaments, Girl Chess Power and Beyond is building a strong chess community that empowers and promotes girls and women in chess.

The organization also offers seminars and workshops on a variety of relevant topics, delivered by experts in their fields, to further create well-rounded individuals. And, it partners with other nonprofits to establish art and music initiatives, literacy programs, and numerous other important projects.

In the year since its inception, Girl Chess Power and Beyond has been busy. In March of 2025, it was proud to partner with Ars Lyrica Houston, Houston Grand Opera, and CKW LUXE for the Heights Kids’ Day of Music 11th Annual Festival. The popular community event, dedicated to inspiring children to have a lifelong love of, and engagement with, music and the arts, attracts over 4,000 attendees annually.

Girl Chess Power and Beyond was also honored to be an activity partner at the 16th Annual iWRITE Book Signing & Literacy Festival. In 2025, the iWRITE nonprofit organization invited students in grades three to 12 to submit short stories, poetry, and artwork to their annual publishing contest, I Write Short Stories by Kids, for Kids. Congratulations to the 150 newly published authors and illustrators featured in the 2025 contest’s 16th anthology. A special shout-out goes to the four published authors, Elly, Nellie, Natalie and Zoe, from Girl Chess Power and Beyond’s fellowship program! The festival was free and open to the public, offering a full day of creativity and fun for families and young readers.

On November 13, 2025, Columbus Day, members of Girl Chess Power and Beyond chose to spend their day off visiting the local police department and thanking first responders for their service. They expressed how much they appreciate them for keeping the community safe. Girl Chess Power and Beyond would also like to express its gratitude to Mayor Carol McCutcheon for being there and encouraging its members to be strong and believe in themselves.

The organization has also participated in the following events over the past year: 2025 Lenten Retreat at St. Laurence Catholic Church; The Chess Refinery Easter Scholastic Chess Tournament K-12, in which Girl Chess Power and Beyond participants shone; The Chess Refinery Clutch City Scholastic, at which the organization awarded a custom medal and two private one-hour chess lessons with our Woman International Master, to the highest scoring female players in each Scholastic section; and the 2025 Viet Cultural Fest at NRG, which attracts approximately 10,000 attendees each year, with a simultaneous chess exhibition

One of the most exciting developments for Girl Chess Power and Beyond during the past year has been to partner with United Queens Chess Club to offer free chess classes for women in the Philippines to uplift and empower them. The free online chess course designed for women beginners is taught by Woman International Masters and Woman FIDE Masters. It includes a 10-session course via Zoom, mini tournaments with prizes, guidance from qualified coaches, and a chance to attend future events. In November of 2025, Team USA (Girl Chess Power and Beyond students from the United States) faced off against Team Philippines (students from the United Queens Chess Club and Girl Chess Power and Beyond in the Philippines) for a memorable tournament.

Life is busy and exciting for Girl Chess Power and Beyond. As well as taking chess classes, volunteering, taking part in tutorials, and participating in community events, its members are involved in chess tournaments across the Greater Houston area. An idea that began with a love of chess has blossomed into a thriving organization in which girls reap the benefits of chess and have fun playing it, get involved in community volunteer efforts and events, and acquire new knowledge to become well-rounded individuals.