Thank you for your interest in the CYO Chess Team at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School!  The team will be coached by Jerika Eppel.  Jerika is a 1500+ USCF-rated chess player, recently taught at the Memphis Chess Center, ran the Arkansas State Chess Championship, and has a Master's in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Jim Elias will continue as program coordinator.

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Practices are Tuesdays, August 25 to December 15, 2026 from 3:10 to 4:15pm in the IHM Gathering Space.  Students are dismissed straight to the chess program after school.  Teachers in the younger grades help get the kids to the Gathering Space, so it will help if you email the teacher to remind them your child is playing chess on Tuesdays. Please have your child bring a big snack to practices (they are HUNGRY after school).  They will be released at the Gathering Space doors (facing the parking lot) after practice end where we'll see younger kids to their parents. More information will be provided once your child is registered.

Matches are Wednesdays, September 30 to November 4, 2026 and start at 4:30pm (arrive by 4:15p if possible).  There is no match October 14 during Fall Break.  Matches are all around Greater Indianapolis, sometimes 45 minutes away. Parents are responsible for driving their kids or arranging for transportation for their kids to matches.

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​The huge (400+ kids) end-of-season tournament is Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 8:30am to 3:30pm at Lumen Christi School (the CYO Center) downtown.

​New this year: we ask all parents to contribute time to help at either practices or matches. No chess knowledge is required – we just need an adult to help set the rooms, wrangle the kids, and help with pick up. More information to come. As an added benefit, weekly practice and additional competitions will be available until Christmas break. This extra coaching is included in the fee.

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Students in 2nd to 8th grades are eligible to participate. 1st graders will be considered after consultation between parents and coaches. The league cost is $210/student (that includes the $54 CYO fee and IHM chess team shirt).  All equipment is provided.  Questions?  Email Coach Jerika at jerika@indychess.org.  Let's go Warriors!

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Indy Chess is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by nearby St. Thomas Aquinas teacher and parent Mike Chapuran, who you'll occasionally see at Mass at IHM.

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Registration is closed. 

If you are still interested in chess club, join our waitlist here.