Chess.com Partners With Chess In Slums-Africa
Palo Alto, Calif., March 1, 2020—Chess.com is pleased to announce a partnership with Chess In Slums-Africa (CIS-A). Chess In Slums is bringing chess, resources, and support to impoverished children in the Nigerian slums of Majidun Ikorodu Lagos. This partnership combines the CIS-A expertise in community outreach with Chess.com's world-class chess educational content and reach.
Since September 2020, Chess in Slums has partnered with ChessKid.com, the scholastic branch of Chess.com. ChessKid focuses on using chess as an educational tool for classrooms, chess clubs, and parents. The expanded scope of this new partnership makes ChessKid and Chess.com official content partners in promoting chess as a force for positive social change.
Carey Fan, ChessKid CEO, states: “I am a strong believer that chess can be a force for good. Chess is more than a game—it is a conduit through which people can connect, grow, and learn. Chess in Slums is a perfect example of this; the impact and change we can create for these children will be felt throughout the course of their lives.”
Lack of access to education continues to be a significant crisis in Africa, as 30% of impoverished children are illiterate. CIS-A provides a start at a solution that is innovative, compassionate, and hands-on. CIS-A has already helped 15 children achieve full academic support scholarships through chess. CIS-A also helps its kids to maintain a 90% education retention, which is particularly notable given that more than half of elementary-aged kids drop out before reaching secondary school.
With this partnership, Chess.com will provide lifetime Diamond Memberships for the children and coaches of CIS-A. They will also have access to top blogger status, affiliate support, super admin status for their club, affiliate status, fundraisers, collaborations with streamers, and more.
"I think the most inspiring thing about the chess in slums story is how beyond the chess aspect, it has also become a gateway to other opportunities for the children who are a part of our program," said Tunde Onakoya, founder of CIS-A. "While we understand that not all of them will go on to become great chess players, the greater aim is to enable everyone to reach their full potential in life."
Danny Rensch, Chess.com's CCO, added: "Chess.com has long been committed to the vision of inclusivity through chess; working to help these children in Nigeria is a huge milestone in that philosophy. We are proud to work with Tunde and support his mission."
About Chess In Slums-Africa:
Chess in Slums Africa is a volunteer driven non-profit organization which aims to transform impoverished communities and empower its young ones by using the game of chess as a framework to teach academic skills, critical thinking, and a lifelong appreciation for learning.
About Chess.com:
Chess.com is the world's largest chess site, with a community of more than 50 million members from around the globe playing millions of games every day. Launched in 2007, Chess.com is the leader in chess news, lessons, events, and live entertainment. Visit Chess.com to play, learn, and connect with chess—the world's most popular game.
Contact:
Chess In Slums-Africa:
Email: chessinslums@gmail.com
Instagram: @Chessinslums
Twitter: @Chessinslums
Facebook: @Chessinslums
Phone number: +2348172792588.
Chess.com:
Email: press@chess.com
Instagram: @wwwchesscom
Twitter: @chesscom
Youtube: YouTube.com/chess
Twitch: Twitch.tv/chess
Phone number: +1 (800) 318-2827
