Established in 2024

Hoosier Chess Academy was formed in June 2024 after a hugely successful summer camp. A need for consistent, high-quality, community-minded chess programming was realized.

2000

Before Hoosier Chess Academy, Bloomington advocate Steve Volan founded BICYCL, or the Bloomington Indiana Community Youth Chess League, and established the first regularly-scheduled scholastic chess meetings at the downtown public library. Coach Steve also introduced after-school chess enrichment programs at Binford Elementary School and University Elementary School, the first of their kind for public school students in the city.

2009

BICYCL’s name was changed to the Bloomington Indiana Scholastic Chess Club (BISCC) in 2009. The mission and vision of BISCC remained largely the same as its predecessor, with more emphasis on community-building and outreach.

2024

In 2024, as chess explodes in popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to expand scholastic chess to more and more students of all abilities and circumstances. The goals of Hoosier Chess Academy are to do just that.