Make your next move a leadership move.

Youth Leader Development Program

Love chess? Help others discover it.

YLDP is HRCA’s volunteer internship opportunity for youth ages 13–19. Build leadership skills, gain real-world experience, and make a difference in your chess community.

Applications Are Closed

Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2026–2027 program year. Questions about YLDP? Contact HRCA.

Ages 13–19 A volunteer internship for motivated young chess players.

20 Leadership Hours Minimum commitment each program year, September 1–August 31.

Experience That Matters Leadership training and service experience for future employment and college applications.

From Player to Leader

Take what you’ve learned at the board and use it to help others. Through YLDP, young people serve in meaningful roles supporting players, programs, tournaments, and community outreach.

Choose how you want to contribute—and build experience you can carry beyond chess.

HRCA Youth Leader Development Program activity

Find Your Way to Lead

YLDP members choose one or more roles and actively serve HRCA in a leadership capacity.

Tournament Leadership

Serve as a Tournament Director or provide Tournament Management Support.

Coaching

Serve as an Assistant Coach, substitute coach, peer tutor and mentor with our coaching staff. Program Coach.

What You Need to Know

Select a question to see the details.

Who can apply?

YLDP is for youth ages 13–19. Applicants must:

Be an HRCA member.
Be a current US Chess member.
Have an established Regular over-the-board US Chess rating.

The US Chess membership and rating requirement ensures applicants are qualified to act in assistant coaching and tournament directing capacities.

What is the leadership commitment?

Members must actively serve HRCA in a leadership capacity, choosing one or more roles.

A minimum of 20 leadership hours is required between September 1 and August 31 each program year.

Some roles may require parental supervision for members under the age of 18.

Which hours count? Can I use them for school or awards?

Only leadership hours count toward the 20-hour YLDP commitment.

Non-leadership work, such as event setup or administrative and logistical tasks performed at home, does not count toward the YLDP commitment.

However, all hours logged qualify for volunteer awards through HRCA or another organization. You may use your hours to fulfill volunteer commitments for organizations such as National Honor Society or Scouts.

HRCA will certify volunteer hours upon request.

How does the application process work?

Complete the online application when applications are open. Applicants—not parents—must fill out the form.
Participate in an interview with the HRCA Executive Director.
HRCA membership is required.

Once selected, members in good standing do not need to reapply each year. They only need to confirm their intention to continue.

Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2026–2027 program year.

What training and conduct standards apply?

Before beginning work, all YLDP members must complete Safe Play training requirements.
Members ages 18–19 must also pass a background check.
Members may be removed from the program at any time for failure to demonstrate maturity and professionalism, with a one-year waiting period before reapplication.