Monday, August 7, 2017

DIG Chess



At the basketball game I showed yesterday, tables were set up along the baseline for chess.
There were kids from the YMCA in the North End of Hartford and volunteers teaching them.


The program is DIG Chess.  Dan Alexander learned to play chess in his wealthy hometown in Fairfield County.  He played chess professionally.  To give something back to local youth,
Dan founded DIG Chess.  He charged the kids to participate.  The program grew fast.


In a move that would make Robin Hood proud, Dan has taken DIG Chess into impoverished neighborhoods of Bridgeport and Hartford.  He uses the proceeds from teaching 
privileged kids to subsidize the Hartford and Bridgeport programs so 
those kids learn to play chess for free.  Read about it here.

9 comments:

Gunn said...

What a nice and interesting posting!
Great documentary!
As always, great photos.

RedPat said...

What a good guy!

Sharon said...

What an impressive guy. I never learned to play chess and I wish I had. Learning to play should be really good for those youngsters.

Taken For Granted said...

How great that the kids are learning to play chess. It is certainly a game that challenges the mind.

William Kendall said...

That is a good idea.

jennyfreckles said...

Sounds a great initiative. I never learned chess. You really need a good teacher, I think.

Michelle said...

Wonderful to see this young man giving something back to the community.

Kate said...

Dan Alexander is a true Mensch! I cannot say enough laudatory comments to do him justice. Your portrait of him is great because character shines in his smiling face and I love his facial expression and posture in the photo of him playing and instructing a learner. Plus I adore the diversity in the line-up of students!

Coach Dan said...

Just stumbled upon this blog! Thank you all for your kind words. If you would like to follow us, you can follow our Facebook page: "DIG USA". Email me with any questions: DIGCoachDan@gmail.com