Chess.com And Lidé Haiti Join Forces For Event Promoting Chess, Creativity, And Mental Health In Haiti

Chess.com is hosting a star-studded charity event with Lidé Haiti, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk adolescent girls in Haiti. The June 2 event will be live-streamed on Twitch and bring together, among others, The Office actor and Lidé Haiti’s co-founder Rainn Wilson, Chess.com’s Chief Chess Officer Danny Rensch, and the acclaimed U.S. grandmaster Maurice Ashley.

Rainn, a chess fan who made it to the final of Chess.com’s PogChamps 3 tournament in 2021 to win $11,500 for Lidé Haiti said: “It’s all about raising money for our arts and education programs for these girls and Chess.com is starting out the fundraising with a $10,000 gift and 400 chess sets. It’s going to be really exciting, it’s going to be several hours of chess playing and banter and fun, all for a great cause on Twitch.tv/chess.”

Speaking on Chess.com’s Champions Chess Tour broadcast, he added: “I think chess greatly expands how you use your brain, how you use your mind, it opens up possibilities, it gives a person confidence and I think it would be really exciting for our girls to learn chess and to have that as part of their curriculum.”

FM Joshua Colas, who broke the record of the youngest African-American to become a U.S. national master in 2010, will also feature alongside his father, Guy. Tris-Ann Richards, the president of the St. Lucia Chess Federation, and Jamaica’s top female player WIM Deborah Richards-Porter will complete the lineup.

As part of the event, Chess.com will also be making a significant contribution to support Lidé Haiti's mission.

The organization will be donating $10,000, which will be utilized to fund primary and secondary school scholarships for girls who otherwise couldn't afford to attend school in Haiti. Additionally, Chess.com will be contributing 400 chessboards, enabling the girls of Lidé Haiti the opportunity to explore the strategic and intellectual benefits of the game.

"We are delighted to partner with Chess.com for this unique charity event," Sharona Shuster, Lidé’s Director of Development and Communications, said.

"Through chess, we hope to inspire our participants, to develop their strategic thinking skills, deepen their focus, and build their self-confidence. These capacities will support them to realize their potential and actively contribute to their communities."

Through chess, we hope to inspire our participants, to develop their strategic thinking skills, deepen their focus, and build their self-confidence.
— Sharona Shuster

Lidé Haiti, known for its exceptional work in providing educational opportunities and empowering at-risk girls in Haiti, shares a vision of fostering creativity, self-confidence, and mental health among its students. By integrating chess into its programs, the organization seeks to harness the transformative power of the game to stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and emotional well-being.

The event will be broadcast live on Twitch, allowing viewers from around the world to join in and support the cause.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Lidé Haiti and bring the power of chess to young minds in Haiti," said Rensch. "Chess is not only a game but a tool for personal growth, critical thinking, and mental development. By promoting chess in Haiti and supporting Lidé Haiti's efforts, we aim to empower girls to find their voices, thrive, and become actively engaged in their communities."

Participants will engage in thrilling chess matches, showcase their skills, and share insights into the strategic aspects of the game. The event will also feature interviews and discussions with Wilson, Rensch, and Ashley, providing unique perspectives on the impact of chess on personal development and mental well-being.

Chess enthusiasts, supporters of Lidé Haiti's mission, and individuals passionate about empowering at-risk girls are invited to tune in to the Twitch live stream at 2 p.m. PT/23:00 CEST on June 2 and contribute to this worthy cause.

Donations and support received during the event will go directly toward providing educational resources, chess training, and mentorship opportunities for the students of Lidé Haiti.

About Lidé Haiti:

Lidé takes a whole-person approach to building capacity, empowerment, and resiliency among at-risk adolescent girls and differently-abled youth who have been denied equal access to education across rural Haiti. Through comprehensive arts, education, and health programs, Lidé supports girls to find their voices, thrive, and become actively engaged participants in their communities.