Chess for Success is much more than a recreational, after-school club. It's an intervention and educational support, provided at no cost to families, that closes the achievement gap for economically disadvantaged and minority youth. Through learning chess, students develop high-level critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that improve self-esteem, behavior, and academic performance, including attendance, grades, and test scores. Long-term, our goals include improving high-school graduation rates, participation in STEM programs and careers, and college/workplace readiness, ending the cycle of poverty for at-risk youth.