About Us
A Local Club With a Bigger Vision.
Founded in Almaden Valley, San Jose, Almaden Chess Club began with a simple idea: create a welcoming place where people of all ages and skill levels could learn, play, and connect through chess.
We wanted to create a place where chess was more than something students played at school or occasionally competed in. We wanted a community where anyone could learn, improve, compete, and share their passion for the game.
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As chess players in the Bay Area, we saw how difficult it could be to find a welcoming local community that served players of different ages and skill levels. Larger chess organizations offered great opportunities, but we believed there was room for something more personal, something rooted in the neighborhood.
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Almaden Chess Club was created with one mission: to make chess fun, accessible, and meaningful to the next generation.
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What began as a local chess club in Almaden Valley has grown into a student-led nonprofit offering weekly meets, lessons, tournaments, and community programs. Today, we're expanding beyond our original neighborhood, building new chapters and creating opportunities for students not only to play chess, but to teach, mentor, volunteer, and lead.
OUR STORY
It started with a simple idea.
WHO WE ARE
A Student-Led Chess Community
Almaden Chess Club is a student-led nonprofit bringing free chess opportunites to communities through weekly meets, structured lessons, tournaments, and community programs. We bring together players of all ages and experience levels while creating opportunities for students to become mentors, instructors, and leaders.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
The students behind it all.
KRISHAY MADHAV - CA
Krishay Madhav is the Founder and President of Almaden Chess Club, where he leads the organization's chapters and programs. A competitive chess player and certified USCF Tournament Director, he has played and organized tournaments across the Bay Area for many years. Through ACC, Krishay focuses on creating opportunities for students to learn, compete, mentor others, and develop leadership skills through chess.
HARSHIT RAMESH - CA
Harshit Ramesh is the Vice President of Almaden Chess Club, where he leads the San Ramon chapter. He has played chess since the age of nine and has reached a peak Chess.com rating of 2100. At ACC, Harshit focuses on creating engaging lessons and practice sessions that help students improve while developing a deeper appreciation for the game.