Chess documentary

Hi there everyone, my name is Abdul Abeshinbioke, 23, and I am an international student who has graduated from Pace University, New York City campus, with a BA in Political Science and Government. Initially born in Nigeria and raised in South London before coming to New York in 2018, I have had the privilege to play chess with individuals from all walks of life.Learning to play when I was 16 years old, my interest for the strategic game has grown tremendously over the last 5 years. I’ve managed to engage in conversations with people whose stories have truly caught my attention. Living in the Big Apple, I’ve been exposed and gained an appreciation for the arts and in coalition with my passion for chess, I had an idea of developing a documentary about the people who have influenced my chess career and shaping me into the person I am today. During the Summer of 2021, I spent most of my time at Washington Square Park playing chess and going head-to-head with New York City’s finest chess players. Eventually, I began running my own table in the Park on many occasions and became a regular member of the community. I got to know many of them; hearing their personal life stories and how chess impacted their lives. This documentary is dedicated to them; to the people whose stories deserve to reach wider audiences.The funds collected through this donation will be used to create a Reel Teaser for the documentary with Simba Productions, a reputable film production company located in Manhattan, New York that has made a name for themselves for over 30 years. The goal is to send this Reel to larger streaming corporations, such as Netflix or Hulu, in hopes of bringing the documentary to fruition. Simply put, I want to create this documentary to share stories I’ve heard from chess players to the world, straight from the mouths of these very individuals. Hopefully it makes people more interested in learning to play the game, but also conjures a pathos that will encourage diversity within the chess community on a greater scale.Over the years, I have learned that chess is more than just a game, but can be relevant in so many different aspects of life. It’s a form of interaction, at times with no words, but yet the dialogue lies in the movement of one piece on a board. I truly hope this documentary can make people see the correlation between life and chess in an in-depth manner from those who have been playing the game for far longer than I. To support my vision and to follow me on my journey, please check out my Instagram page, @chess.ring or website chessring.org, a community of chess players I have organized to host matches, lessons, and tournaments. All donations to this GoFundMe are greatly appreciated! Sincerely, Abdul-Kareem Adegoke Abeshinbioke