The Gift of Chess
The Gift of Chess is a US based 501(c)(3) federally recognized charity based in New York City.
| Formation | EST December 2020 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Russell Makofsky |
| Purpose | Humanitarian |
| Headquarters | 308 West 46th Street, New York, New York, 10036 |
Official language | English |
Key people | Tony Ballard (Director of Prison Outreach)
|
| Affiliations | United Nations |
| Staff | 30 Ambassadors |
| Volunteers | 1000+ |
| Website | https://www.thegiftofchess.org |
History
The Gift of Chess was founded by Russell Makofsky,[1] Tyrone Davis III and Ryan Rodrigues during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide 10,000 NYC public school students access to their own chess set to help them reconnect physically in their own communities during a period of extreme isolation.[2] In March of 2022, Tyrone traveled on his Spring Break from MIT, taking a commercial flight from LaGuardia Airport to Lagos, Nigeria with 500 chess sets to meet Tunde Onakoya, The Founder of Chess in the Slums Africa.[3] Chess sets were distributed across Lagos, most notably to children in Makoko.[4][5]
Several months later, 5,000 additional chess sets were sent to Africa reaching both Nigeria (3,000 sets) and Kenya (2,000 sets).[6] From there 1,000 chess sets reached into Ghana and Uganda though assigned Ambassadors. Over 2023, 50,000 additional chess sets have been sent to Africa, being warehoused in both Accra, Ghana and Nairobi, Kenya.[7] From these distribution hubs, 25 countries have received 1,000 chess sets through their local assigned ambassador.[8] These sets are given to schools, prisons, orphanages, and community centers in batches of 5 chess sets each.[9] In 2023 Susan Namangale from Malawi was named The Global Head.[10]
Countries reached include United States, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Gambia, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, The Congo, Rwanda, Lesetho, Liberia, Ethiopia, Gabone, Togo, Eswantini, Namimbia, Seychelles, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe.[11] The Gift of Chess has also donated 100 chess sets to each partner country's FIDE chess federation.
In May of 2024, 41,000 chess sets are planned to reach Panama for distribution across all of Central, South and Latin America.
References
- ^ Murray (Mick), Mick (2024-03-21). "Chess Community Raises $11,000+ In New York Charity Walk". Chess.com. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "Happy International Chess Day from The Gift of Chess!". Chess News. 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "PS 10 students in Brooklyn receive chess sets, learning valuable lessons from game | abc7ny.com". abc7ny.com. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "Nigerian chess prodigy makes a move for social change". Reuters. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ Banjo, Noah (2022-04-09). "Makoko boy gets full scholarship from US varsity chess master". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "Kansas inmate's path to freedom leads through Gift of Chess". Hays Post. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "American charity helping widen chess footprint across South Africa". iol.co.za.
- ^ "In early 2021, The Gift of Chess was born, with the goal of distributing 10,000 chess sets to public students across New York City". www.fide.com. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "Mukundwa leads Gift of Chess Initiative in Zimbabwe by giving Chess sets". www.thezimbabwean.co. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ Shabazz, Daaim (2023-07-15). ""The Gift of Chess" nabs Namangale as Global Head". The Chess Drum. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "US chess charity appoints Malawian head of the body - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2023-06-26. Retrieved 2024-04-15.