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Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
Nereida Moreno | WBEZ

Queens United staking a claim in male-dominated world of competitive chess

Chicago Public Schools
Walter Payton College Prep senior Maggie Tsyganova gives chess tips as third grader Anaya Thakkar listens during an after-school program at Ogden International School organized by Queens United Chess, a nonprofit co-founded by Maggie. (Marc Monaghan/WBEZ)

For years, two students at Walter Payton College Prep on the North Side were some of the only competitive female chess players in Chicago Public Schools. Now, they’re on a mission to get more girls playing the game.

Senior Maggie Tsyganova and her former classmate Lizzy Brahin started the nonprofit Queens United Chess in 2019. They work with about 35 female instructors or “ambassadors” to offer free chess lessons and host regular “Girl Power Club” meetings for students.

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