We are happy to announce that we have now expanded our program so that it does not only engage girls from The US and Kenya no, now also all chess playing girls from Uganda, Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania can join our Cross Culture Girls program 😃
What is our Cross Culture Girls Program
It is a online program that we run in partnership with Lighthouse Chess Club and US Chess Women. The program offers free chess training lead by female top players and cross cultural sessions where the girls interact and learn from each other.
Goals with the program
To through the help of chess create a cultural exchange between the girls.
A mutually beneficial exchange that will lead to female empowerment, inspiration, improved chess skills, new experiences, and new friends.
"Boys underestimate girls and that is wrong."- Elizabeth from Kenya/US Chess Girls Meet Through Chess program.
The girls need to have an internet connection plus a device that allows them to connect to be able to follow the classes/ play the tournaments.
For the girls that have attended our sessions and tournaments plus joined our chess club at chess.com there have been some nice rewards not just in terms of alot of fun, increased skills (many have increased their online ratings with more then 200 points) and new friends but also new physical chess boards and Diamond memberships at Chess.com
How to join
For questions or to sign up for the program please contact Mrs. Judith Kiragu +254 721485493 judy.kiragu@fortemcltd.com
Today, December 1 is Giving Tuesday, a day that encourages people to do good and help other people in the world to get through difficulties. If you would like to help our Kenyan kids from the Mukuru Kwa Njenga Slums that has been badly affected by the virus situation and lockdown in their country and they need clothes, food and chess equipments so they can stay healthy and keep their minds sharp in these challenging times, then please send your donation through our website at paypal.me/pools/c/89ee7XWmWS
On November 6, Norwegian business leaders will meet with children from the inner city communities for a tandem chess tournament. Magnus Carlsen, the World Champion and founder of Play Magnus Group will be one of the participants together with the CEO of Ferd, Morten Borge. They are joined by business leaders from companies like Carnegie, Verdane Capital, Knowit, 4C and Alfred Berg.
The tournament will start at 3pm Central European Time, and will be covered by Chess 24, Do not miss it!
In partnership with Lighthouse Chess Club and US Chess Women we are very happy to present our new US – Kenya cross culture girls program.
The program that runs online, offers free chess training lead by female top players and cross cultural sessions where Kenyan and American girls interact and learn from each other.
Goals with the program
To through the help of chess create a cultural exchange between Kenyan and American girls.
A mutually beneficial exchange that will lead to female empowerment, inspiration, improved chess skills, new experiences, and new friends.
For questions or to sign up for the program please contact Mrs. Judith Kiragu +254 721485493 judy.kiragu@fortemcltd.com
Isaiah outside what used to be his home in Mukuru, Kenya – The plot consists of about 10 rooms and communal toilet and bathroom
This is the 15-year old kenyan talent Isaiah Otieno. Isaiah is from the Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum that is an area with extreme poverty. Through his intellect and hard work he has managed to become a top junior in chess, as well as one of the best students in the country. In fact he is number 2 in his region, only beaten by his brother! Abdul Malik. Thus we are delighted to help Isaiah and his family to a better life, by allocating them in a real, furnished flat where they are comfortable and can nurture their talent. And of course Isaiah will get a laptop with chessbase installed plus a coach so he can improve. Mukuru is full of smart talents that needs a stable environment and acceptable living conditions, help us to help them!
BIO: Isaiah Otieno Oluoch DOB: 06 June 2005 Now 15 years
Born in Mukuru Kwa Njenga Slum, in the outskirts of Nairobi. Until recently, on his 15th birthday, he and his family were moved to a 2 bedroom flat in Tena Estate, with much better amenities as we wait for the desired house, a 3 Bedroom Bungalow at Kariobangi South. In the words of his father, ‘It is a million times better’, than the single room the family shared at the slum, with one bathroom for the plot (several households).
Isaiah inside his old house in Mukuru
Family: Total 8, 4 boys and 2 girls.
Father : Peter Oluoch Aguk – 38yrs – Casual Laboror, currently unemployed Mother – Ruth Achieng Oluoch – 33 years, Sells vegetables in Mukuru Marylyn Hiky – 19yrs, just cleared high school, helps mother at the vegetable stand Emmanuel Oduor – 18yrs Currently in form 3, Swaminarayan High School, Moved from Langata High School due to fee challenges. Triza Achieng – 17 years Currently in form 3 Swaminarayan High School, also moved from Moi Girls Vokoli Girls High School due to School fee constraints. Isiah – 15yrs – Mangu High School, form 1 – This is among the best KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Exam) 408marks out of 500. Top in his school and among the best in the country. Abdul Malik – 15yrs – Scored 418 Marks in KCPE 2019, one of the best students in the country, was drafted to a top school Kapsabet High School – National School. Father intends to relocate him to another school due to school fees challenges. Nehemiah Williams – 2 Months baby
Isaiah outside their new flat in Tena Estate
Chess – Isaiah learnt chess in 2015 at the age of 9, through Sports Outreach Ministry (SOM) which started a chess club at Carson Academy, formally Nairobi Slum Project school (Redroof). SOM provided meals for the kids aged 5-14 years and introduced Chess as one of the programs. Chess worked well as playgrounds are non-existent in the slum. He was very hardworking and was among the best few that represented the club in tournaments.
Unlike his peers from the affluent part of town, he has achieved well despite several challenges including: – Never owned a chess board (until he met us!) – Started playing on chess.com in 2020, thanks to his mother’s phone – Used to have beginner book – Not read any advanced books – No direct coaching, at Redroof Erick Oyugi and Josphat Owila, taught the 80+ club how to play
With Julie Gichuru, Dr Victor Ngani and Sarah Momanyi during a Business Meets Chess & Kids event.
Awards: – Winka Academy 2018 Best Boy U14 – Brookhurst U14 winner – Nairobi Southlands u14 Winnner – Mukuru Junior Chess Championships winner u12 and u14 Boys- He has been top 3 in over a dozen other events.
We are very proud to announce that our short movie Building Minds withChess created by Ken Mask and Marshall Woodworth featuring Grandmaster Pontus Carlsson was selected for the best short movie in New Orleans Film Festival.
BUILDING MINDS WITH CHESS USA | 2020 | 10 MIN DIR: KEN MASK Explores the possibilities of engaging children and young teenagers through exercising certain parts of their brain through the game of chess. Watch the trailer here:
You can support Business Meets Chess & Kids by purchasing the full movie through this link: PURCHASE FILM
It was a fun afternoon at Morphys Chess & Culture Center, that created alot of interesting meetings, brought down many laughs and created many new friendship relations. Thanks to Leila D’aquin and Chess Nola for hosting us, Kendric Perkins and Strategic Thoughts for running the tournament, David and Maureen Grimaud for the pictures and Ken Mask for all his efforts, and a big thank you to all participants for joining us and making the event so successful. Chess is fun!
On May 18th between 2 and 4.30 PM we will organize a tandem chess tournament at the Morphy Chess & Culture Center 4714B Earhart Blvd. The tandem chess tournament will see business leaders like Pres Kabacoff, MD Greg Ward, Mark P. Glago and Leila A. D’Aquin play tandem chess together with kids from all areas of New Orleans. Join us today! To sign up please contact Ken Mask (504)908-0337
Grandmaster Pontus Carlsson will be in New Orleans between the 14th and 19th of October to launch the Business Meets Chess & Kids program with some exciting events!
