National Initiative with LEAP Company
— — Christina Tao, CFC Youth Coordinator
On behalf of the Chess Federation of Canada, it is my great pleasure to announce an exciting new national initiative that we believe will help grow chess in communities across Canada.
The Chess Federation of Canada has entered into a new partnership with LEAP Company, a respected Chinese manufacturer of chess equipment and digital chess clocks. Through this partnership, the CFC will be able to provide high-quality chess sets and clocks at significantly reduced costs, creating new opportunities for chess development from coast to coast.
This initiative is about much more than equipment. It is about access, inclusion, education, and community building.
Chess is one of the world’s greatest educational and social activities. It teaches critical thinking, patience, concentration, creativity, sportsmanship, and resilience. It brings together people of all ages and backgrounds, creating meaningful opportunities for learning, friendship, and lifelong engagement.
With this new partnership, the CFC hopes to expand chess into communities across Canada, including:
- Chess clubs and tournament organizers
- School boards and classrooms
- Community centres and recreation facilities
- Public libraries
- Senior homes and retirement communities
- After-school programs
We want every child, every family, and every senior in Canada to have the opportunity to experience the joy and educational benefits of chess.
To officially launch this major national project, the CFC is proud to announce its first national initiative: every participant at the Canadian Youth Chess Championship (CYCC) will receive a complimentary chess set.
This special giveaway represents the beginning of a long-term commitment to supporting youth chess development throughout Canada. Our goal is to encourage young players to continue practicing, learning, teaching others, and sharing their passion for chess within their schools, families, and communities.
Distribution details during the CYCC, including the schedule and pickup procedures, will be announced later by the CFC organizing committee. We are working closely with our partners to coordinate the logistics and ensure a smooth and successful launch for all participants.
We also encourage everyone here today to help spread the word about this initiative to your schools, community organizations, libraries, senior centres, after-school programs, and anyone else who may benefit from introducing chess into their community. Together, we can help make chess more accessible to Canadians of all ages and backgrounds.
The CFC plans to begin accepting orders for chess sets and clocks shortly after the completion of the CYCC. More information regarding ordering procedures, pricing, and distribution will be announced in the coming weeks.
We believe this initiative will help build stronger chess programs throughout Canada while making chess more accessible and affordable for everyone.
The CFC would like to thank LEAP Company for its support and cooperation in helping us bring this vision to life. Together, we hope to inspire the next generation of Canadian chess players and strengthen communities through the game of chess.
This partnership represents one of the most significant grassroots chess development initiatives undertaken by the Chess Federation of Canada in recent years.
Chess has always been more than a game. It is a bridge between people, generations, and cultures. Today, we take an important step toward making chess available to more Canadians than ever before, and we look forward to building that future together.
Thank you very much.
Christina Tao
Youth Coordinator,
Chess Federation of Canada