The West Point Black Knights Chess Club

5-Year Reigning Chess Champs of the Armed Forces Chess Open (AFO)

West Point Chess Champs

“The U.S. Army, a key component of the U.S. Armed Forces, is made up of the best-trained, most dedicated, most respected Soldiers in the world — protecting America’s freedoms at home and abroad, securing our homeland, and defending democracy worldwide.

A Soldier in the U.S. Army is the embodiment of physical strength, emotional strength and strength of purpose. As a Soldier, you will be prepared to serve our country whenever and wherever you are needed, combat-ready at all times, trained to counter any threat, anywhere.” The US Army Website

Not only do these cadets train to secure our freedoms and defend democracy – they also play a mean game of chess! West Point has a long standing tradition of chess. Formed in 1924 when there were only six extracurricular clubs, the Cadet Chess Club is one of the oldest cadet activities at West Point. Through 1945, the cadets competed in a fierce annual intramural tournament to win the Corps championship and have their names engraved on a sterling silver trophy as a permanent record of victory. Winning the tournament and silver cup entitled a cadet to one of the most treasured biographical entries of the time in the annual Howitzer (a military publication).

In 2004, tournament promoters began inviting the service academies to send teams to compete in a Commander in Chief trophy competition in conjunction with the Armed Forces Chess Tournament. In addition to service academy teams, the tournament includes a military service competition and an individual player championship.

This year, the cadets from West Point extended their winning streak at the chess tournament to 5 years.
Congratulations to the cadets of West Point’s Black Knights Chess Club – Chess Strong and Army Strong.