CTC’s initiative to introduce chess to disadvantaged communities started in 2016 at Salama Gachie (SG), a school in Nairobi, Kenya entirely run on donations. Despite the technological and financial hardships associated with initiating this endeavor, Women’s International Master Ellen Wang established SG Chess Club under the generous support of school staff members. Gathering weekly in front of Skype, club members solve intriguing chess puzzles and play fun games under Ellen’s instruction. 

         International Master Evan Park joined CTC in 2022. While Ellen continues to teach beginner students, Evan is meeting the advanced group, helping them move their chess skills to the next level. This program has now become one of the signature activities at Salama Gachie, providing a unique opportunity for the students to benefit from the intellectual and social impact of the game while tackling the challenges of space limit, poverty, and social exclusion. Graduates from this program also have moved on to spread their love for the game to their peers and families, making the program a true legacy for Salama Gachie and the local communities.    

        Chess advocate David Li joined CTC Global Outreach Initiative in the summer of 2022. Evan and David are working with Ellen on a drive to collect donations of chess books and supplies to build a SG chess library, as well as to expand the program to other schools in Kenya, Uganda, India and China. They hope to benefit more school-age kids for whom educational resources, including chess equipment and instructions, are scarce.

        IM Nico Chasin joined CTC in the fall of 2022 as a key player in CTC’s efforts to use chess as a tool to enrich the lives of African youth. Targeting stronger Kenyan chess players, Nico launched a weekly group study that drew close to forty students in its first weekend. Nico’s passion for teaching has been further ignited by the dedication and enthusiasm of his students, and he is working with CTC to build additional partnerships that will allow the organization to reach even more students, both domestically and globally. 

         As the CTC leadership team began planning for its first trip to Nairobi in late 2022, Nico brought International Master Justus Williams on board. Justus has a wealth of experience teaching chess to diverse populations and is a powerful role model for the hundreds of students he’s taught. CTC is excited to collaborate with Justus as it continues to change lives through chess.

In the meanwhile, CTC is reaching out to the communities within the bounds of the US. Presently, CTC is creating outreach chess programs that serve Title I schools and at-risk youth in NYC, especially in the Bronx area, where chess initiatives are hard to find.

The goal for all these programs is the same: to help youth in under-resourced areas develop valuable skills such as problem-solving, strategic planning, perseverance, and competitive spirit through chess playing, while enjoying this immensely entertaining and engaging game.