Adopt-A-School
With an idea born out of a desire to make chess more accessible to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn the game, we have decided to partner with many schools in order to bridge the gap and ensure that everyone has a chance to engage in the wonderful experience of learning chess. As the current president of CHESSanity, Thomas Li, continues to expand the “Adopt a School” initiative, our goal still remains to maintain the supply of chess boards/sets for various school districts in such communities and to conduct occasional free chess clinics for the students.
CHESSanity has expanded its reach to other parts of the country, with the establishment of its first chapter, Ohio Chapter, and later Missouri Chapter, to support hundred of schools in the areas.
The following school/school districts in NY/NJ have joined CHESSanity’s “Adopt a School” initiative:
Amityville Union Free School District
Brentwood Union Free School District
Central Islip School District
Connetquot Central School District
Copiague Public Schools
Deer Park School District
Farmingdale School District
Glen Cove City School District
Greenport Union Free School District
Greenpoint Union Free School District
Hampton Bays School District
Hicksville School District
Lawrence Union Free School District
Long Beach Public Schools
Longwood Central School District
Middle Country Central School District
Mineola Union Free School District
North Babylon School District
Riverhead Central School District
Sachem Central School District
Sewanhaka Central High School District
South Country Central School District
Southold Union Free School District
Tuckahoe Common School District
Uniondale Union Free School District
Valley Stream Union Free School District 24
Ventnor City Public School (NJ)
West Babylon Union Free School District
CHESSanity has expanded its reach to other parts of the country, with the establishment of its first chapter, Ohio Chapter, and later Missouri Chapter, to support hundred of schools in the areas.
The following school/school districts in NY/NJ have joined CHESSanity’s “Adopt a School” initiative:
Amityville Union Free School District
Brentwood Union Free School District
Central Islip School District
Connetquot Central School District
Copiague Public Schools
Deer Park School District
Farmingdale School District
Glen Cove City School District
Greenport Union Free School District
Greenpoint Union Free School District
Hampton Bays School District
Hicksville School District
Lawrence Union Free School District
Long Beach Public Schools
Longwood Central School District
Middle Country Central School District
Mineola Union Free School District
North Babylon School District
Riverhead Central School District
Sachem Central School District
Sewanhaka Central High School District
South Country Central School District
Southold Union Free School District
Tuckahoe Common School District
Uniondale Union Free School District
Valley Stream Union Free School District 24
Ventnor City Public School (NJ)
West Babylon Union Free School District
West Hempstead Union Free School District
Thomas with the members of the West Hempstead Secondary Chess Club (10/15/24).
On October 15th, 2024, CHESSanity went to the many willing members of the West Hempstead Secondary Chess Club for an official chess exhibition. At the exhibition, Thomas spent time playing simuls and lecturing students between rounds, even playing blindfold chess against some of the students!
Wyandanch Union Free School District
Thomas with the members of the Wyandanch Memorial High School Chess Club (11/9/24).
Island Trees School District
Thomas with the members of the Michael F. Stokes Elementary School Chess Club (12/9/24).
Island Trees Middle School Chess Club students opening their new chess sets! (2024)
LPS @ #2 School chess club students trying out their new chess sets! (2024)
Roosevelt Union Free School District
On Saturday, March 4th, 2017, Warren and Wesley, representing CHESSanity, traveled to the Roosevelt elementary school to conduct informal training sessions for the students part of the Roosevelt school chess team. There, they played a simultaneous exhibition with willing trainees as well as participating in a blindfolded game against some of the top students.
Warren and Wesley with some of the Roosevelt chess students (left) and Wesley and Warren with the winners of the blindfold chess game against Wesley. These students collaborated over the board while Wesley called out moves without sight of the position (right).
The Saturday training session was a tremendous success. It was great to see the Roosevelt kids so eager to play against two National Masters and so willing to try and improve their game. They were all smiles after the win against Wesley in his blindfold game; you never know what some confidence can do for some kids!
Half Hollow Hills School District
Warren meeting with the West Hollow Middle School's PTA (2/14/18)
What Schools Said
I'm very impressed by CHESSanity's mission! My Chess Club members and I would be grateful for any donations your organization would be willing to give to our club. Our greatest need in terms of equipment is actually chess clocks, so if you would be able to help us procure those we would greatly appreciate it! Uniondale High School |
Your organization's donations of chess sets to Middle Country schools in the past have enriched the chess clubs at several of our schools and we would be delighted to see that support expanded. Any donation of chess boards/mats. Pieces and books will be very much appreciated. Middle Country CSD |
Thank you so much for reaching out to Island Trees about Chessanity. I am the advisor of the Chess Club at Island Trees Middle School. My club is finally underway, and it has exploded. I am asking you if by any chance you could help us with some chess sets. If you could spare 6 to 10 sets that would be great. Thank you in advance for your continued support. Island Trees High School |
This is a wonderful program, and we appreciate you doing this work. West Hempstead Secondary School |