For serious young chess players between the ages of 8 and 16 who want to make considerable progress in improving the focus of their game.  

U.S. Life Master and FIDE trainer Lou Mercuri is running his 24th summer of All Star Chess and is once again partnering with Newton Parks and Recreation.  Special features of All Star Chess Training include:

1. Small group training sessions
2. Tournament preparation
3. Team problem-solving competitions
4. 40-problem tactics test
5. Book prizes
6. Student evaluations and recommendations
7. Group analysis of students’ best games
8. New training manuals for each session
9. Blitz chess tournament
10. 3 to 4 staff trainers per session

There is no minimum or maximum recommended rating, but the general range of abilities for this camp is from players just starting tournaments to players in the top 50 for their age in the US.

All Star Chess Training will run Monday - Friday from 9:00 - 3:45.  This year the program will run for 2 weeks and participants can register for one or both weeks.

2026 Camp Dates: August 3 - 7 and August 10 - 14, 2026 at the Emerson Community Center

Program Brochure

Registration opens online on January 28th for Newton Residents at www.newtonmarec.com  Non-Residents can register starting March 1st.