Hey everyone,
When COVID-19 shut down schools, sports, and activities, my routine disappeared overnight. As someone who loved staying busy, it was a huge adjustment. Chess became my outlet, and I spent countless hours competing online and improving my game. But I missed the energy and connection of playing face-to-face.
During that time, I won over $2,000 in online tournaments. Then I learned that a local chess club was struggling to survive because of the pandemic. After a lot of thought, I donated all of my winnings to help keep the club open. That experience showed me that chess could be more than a game – it could bring people together and make a real difference.
Inspired by that idea, my brother Neev and I joined forces with two other young chess leaders to start a nonprofit. Although we had been competitors for years, we realized we could accomplish more by working together. We learned how to raise funds, organize events, and navigate the challenges of running an organization while balancing school and chess.
What started as an effort to keep our chess community connected soon grew into something bigger. Our mission expanded beyond chess to creating opportunities for young people to learn, lead, and grow through projects involving public speaking, technology, and robotics.
Looking back, one lesson stands out: leadership doesn’t require perfect timing or a certain age. It starts when you see a need, take action, and have the courage to begin.
We’re just getting started.
