Chalkbeat

Checkmate Violence tournament aims to prevent Philadelphia gun violence through school chess

The annual Checkmate Violence chess tournament on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 in Philadelphia. (Sammy Caiola / Chalkbeat)

Concentration and attentiveness are some of the skills organizers of the PECO-ASAP Checkmate Violence tournament aim to instill in Philadelphia youth. The idea driving the event, which is hosted by the After School Activities Partnerships, or ASAP, is to protect kids from gun violence by keeping them busy, and teaching them critical thinking.

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