In the 1990s, the NSCF program implemented at Jr. High School 45 in the Bronx ran for seven years and is still regarded as a shining example of total community involvement. Curricular chess classes, active parent involvement, support from local businesses, early morning chess games with police officers, visits by the chess team to homes for the elderly, all these were key ingredients in shaping character. Not only did this team win several awards, the majority of its members went on to attend college.
Since 2014, the NSCF has produced an annual Columbus Day simultaneous exhibition and open play time in partnership with the New Rochelle Public Library. The event is attended each year by the Mayor of New Rochelle, as well as other city and Westchester County leaders. The NSCF has also produced free community chess events in partnership with the City of White Plains Library and with the City’s Parks & Recreation Department.
In addition, the NSCF facilitated a nationwide tour of schools for Phiona Mutesi, the young Ugandan chess player whose story is told in the book and film, “The Queen of Katwe.” She visited several of our schools in Westchester and in Greenwich, CT. And we produced “The Queen’s Journey,” a celebration of chess through music and dance at the Westchester Arts Center. These programs help us expand the reach for chess in our communities.
Since 2014, the NSCF’s community-based model has been significantly expanded upon in a partnership with the City of Sunrise, Florida.
With early funding from the Sunrise Police Department and a partnership with the Broward Education Foundation, the NSCF began by offering our Demystifying Chess Workshops. Over a 5 year period, the NSCF trained over 500 teachers, police officers and sheriff’s deputies, and other professionals working with children to open over 150 school and community chess clubs across the county. The City then made an even greater commitment to fund The Sunrise Center for Excellence in Chess.
The “Center” offers open play chess every Saturday morning and players of all ages and abilities come out for a few hours of chess. NSCF instructors are on hand to teach newcomers and to encourage developing players. Also with an open play format, our chess tent is set up for concerts and community festivals and is always a popular attraction.
Another “open play” initiative is called The Mayor’s Chess Challenge. It was originated by Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan to engage other elected officials as a way of bringing more attention to chess and the role it can play in strengthening schools and the community. Over 20 other cities across South Florida have adopted this model where they set aside a morning, put out some refreshments and chess boards, and have the Mayors play chess with families from their city. Many Saturdays we see over 100 children and parents come out for these community chess festivals.
In addition to open programs, the Center provides support for school chess clubs and produces free chess tournaments for children who want to try competition. We have also trained officers from the City of Sunrise Police Department who use chess as part of their community policing strategy.
In September 2019, Sunil was presented with the Key to the City by Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan in recognition of his, and the NSCF’s role in using chess to develop cross-cultural, cross-generational friendships throughout the community.
In 2022, the NSCF began an effort to bring chess to the City of Miami Beach in partnership with the Parks & Recreation Department. Open Play occurs on Saturday and Sunday at different facilities, and over 400 students have been given lessons once a week in the City’s summer camps. The City has incorporated chess into cultural events and participates in the annual Mayors’ Chess Challenge series. The NSCF also produces a free scholastic chess tournament each year in partnership with the City.
The National Scholastic Chess Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. Donations are tax-deductible. Relevant IRS information is available on request.
