Find out why more than 95% of our attendees came back the next summer, and why more than a thirty signed up for multiple weeks!  These camps are a TON of fun!  Our summer camps build chess skills first and foremost; it's true.  Camps focus on chess puzzles and tactics like forks, skewers, pins, discovered attacks, and defender removals.  But we do not do chess all day.  We do icebreakers and friend builder games, go outside for lunch, and have two recesses in the school gyms to run around!  We do that all while opening up the kids' eyes to a world of chess they might never have known existed with simuls, bughouse, Chess960, chess movie clips, and more!

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All camps are principally taught by Coach Mike Chapuran ("Coach Chap"), who is Indiana's most prolific tournament director, coaches in eight school programs, and founded Indy Chess.  Coach Chap recruits coaches with 1800+ peak ratings to join him each week, so the students get instruction from some of the best players in the state!

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DATES & LOCATIONS FOR SUMMER 2026

All camps are 9a-3:30p, Monday through Friday, except July 3.

There is optional before care at 8a and after care till 5p.

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June 1-5 @ St. Thomas Aquinas School (4600 N Illinois St., Indy, 46208)

June 8-12 @ St. Thomas Aquinas School

June 15-19 @ St. Monica School (6131 N Michigan Rd., Indy, 46228

June 22-26 @ St. Barnabas School (8300 Rahke Rd, Indy, 46217 - south side)

June 29-July 2 @ St. Monica School  ***4-day week***

Campers attend this shorter week will get promo codes for free Indy Chess events

July 6-10 @ St. Monica School

July 13-17 @ St. Barnabas School (south side)

July 20-24 @ St. Thomas School

July 27-July 31 @ St. Thomas School

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​Who should attend:

Camps are for kids entering 1st to 8th grade (2025-26 school year).  Camps do not teach how the pieces move, so are not for brand new beginners.  Camps are also not designed for players rated over 1200 USCF (though they are welcome). The typical student is someone who enjoys chess with friends or in a school club, that wants to grow and have fun playing chess with new friends.

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Camps include the following:

• Three lessons per day, including tactics, a master game review, and checkmating drills

• Three recesses with games like Four Corners, Scatterball, Kickball, Gaga, Ships & Sailors, Soccer, etc.

• A presentation and simultaneous exhibition with a USCF expert or master, often a former state champion

• An optional USCF-rated tournament on the last day of camp (fun casual tournament for those who opt out of the rated event)

• Introduction and practice with chess clocks and notation

• Differentiated learning with beginner and intermediate groups

• Casual play time each day with classical chess, Chess960, and Bughouse (2v2 chess)

• Special prizes on the last day of camp!

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What to bring:

• Lunch and water bottle

• Sunscreen and hat for outside recess

• AM snack and PM snack provided each day

• All chess equipment provided

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Cost & coupon codes to save money:

• Super early bird price (before Feb. 15) is $255 for non-members/$245 for members of Indy Chess

• Early bird price (2/15-3/31) is $265 for non-members and $255 for members

• Regular price (4/1 till camp) is $275 for non-members and $265 for members

• Before and/or AfterCare is $15/day and billed after camp based on usage (paylinks sent by email)

• SIBLINGTWO coupon code for $25 off second student in household

• SIBLINGTHREE coupon code for $50 off total if registering 3 kids in household (not combinable with SIBLINGTWO)

• Join Indy Chess as a member to get the discounted member rate for all camps/events!

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Scholarships:

Students in our school programs who are on public assistance (e.g., Medicaid, free/reduced lunch, SNAP, etc.) can email info@indychess to get a coupon code for 100% discounted tuition.  Scholarships are made possible thanks to the generosity of private donors to Indy Chess.  We have 18 scholarships available in Summer 2026.

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Refunds:

$50 of each registration fee is nonrefundable. The remaining balance is refundable up to 11:59pm ET on the Sunday three weeks prior to the start date of the program. Cancellations made after this time are nonrefundable, as materials and educator costs are allocated and final. As long as there is availability, you can switch your program location up to six weeks before the start date (Refund Policy will be applicable to the earliest start date). Scholarship registrations are nonrefundable.