Chess has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I spend over 12 hours a day immersed in the game—whether playing online, competing at the Chattanooga Chess Club, learning from mentors, or reading chess books. For the past twenty years, I’ve offered pro bono chess coaching, and only recently began taking paid clients. I truly believe that chess coaching should be free to reach the greatest number of students, but I also need to generate a personal income to support myself and my father, as we currently have just enough to get by and no safety net for emergencies.

That’s why I’m launching Free Chess Lessons, a non-profit dedicated to making chess coaching accessible to everyone. I currently offer free lessons at the Downtown Public Library every Saturday, and I’m working to restart sessions at the Chatt Foundation, which serves the homeless community. The library is helping spread the word, and I’m building connections to reach even more people who could benefit from learning chess. My vision is to create a legal structure that allows us to raise donations and pay coaches—including myself—a living wage, so we can continue to serve the community.

The funds raised will help incorporate as a 501(c)(3), purchase and build out FreeChessLessons.com and FreeChessLessons.org, create a social media presence, recruit more coaches, and develop outreach materials like business cards and flyers. I’ll also be forming an advisory board and seeking sponsorships to ensure the long-term success of this mission. Your support will help bring free chess coaching to more people and create opportunities for those who need it most.

Thank you for your support to Free Chess Lessons: I invite you to join our mission, as this charity will raise money through donations and sponsorships to provide free chess coaching for everyone.