Checkmate4Cause

Affordable chess camps and education for kids to learn chess. All profits benefitting charities and hospitals to aid those in need.

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About
Checkmate4Cause

At Checkmate4Cause, our mission is to educate kids through chess, helping them develop their skills while keeping the experience fun and engaging. Our camps give young players the chance to grow, from learning the basics of strategy to sharpening advanced skills through puzzles, games, and tournaments. We believe chess is not only about improving on the board, but also about building focus, patience, and confidence.

Beyond the game, every camp we run supports a greater purpose. The funds we raise go directly to hospitals, charities, and nonprofits that provide care and assistance to children and families in need. By combining the challenge and joy of chess with giving back, we strive to create an environment where kids can thrive while knowing their efforts are helping others.


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Meet the Cofounders

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Sophia is a sophomore at ALHS who skipped two grades and currently holds a 1700 chess rating. She has a strong passion for both chess and medicine, aspiring to pursue a career in the medical field while continuing to grow as a chess player. As a co-founder of Chess for Cause, Sophia hopes to expand the organization to bring the joy of chess to more people and give back to hospitals and communities through the game she loves.

Charithra is a junior at OFHS passionate about chess, community service, and health initiatives. As co-founder of Checkmate4Cause, she helps make chess education accessible for youth while raising funds for hospitals and charities. She also leads TBKidsCentral, a nonprofit supporting children affected by tuberculosis, organizing events and volunteer initiatives to make a real impact. Through her work in school programs, health-focused projects, and chess outreach, Charithra inspires learning and leadership in her community.

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Olivia Panciu is a co-founder of Checkmate4Charity and a 10th-grade student at Avon Lake High School with a strong interest in biomedical engineering. Passionate about combining her love of chess with giving back, she helped design the organization to run youth chess camps and donate proceeds to causes supporting children. Olivia also qualified for Nationals at National History Day 2025 with an exhibit on women’s suffrage. Through her work, she aims to inspire other young people to use their skills and interests to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

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