In the Anacostia area in SE D.C. "violence has become all too common" (Washington Post, 2016) and is described as a "food desert" (streetsense.org). What can provide and promote solutions to these critical issues?! Not sure to be honest, however we will know when the well nourished bodies and minds of chess playing critical thinkers show us! There are many people that have, do, and want to play chess. Yet there is not a consistent location exclusively set for such purpose. When the D.C. Chess Hut opens there will be, in order to accomplish that...

We Need You:
Discovery Center Chess Hut Executive Summary

When the doors open Discovery Center Chess Hut (D.C. Chess Hut) will bring a new yet proven earth-quaking to the community. D.C. Chess Hut will take on the task of providing chess supplies, chess tournaments, chess lessons, and free-play along with healthy snacks. D.C. Chess Hut is defined into distinct, yet interrelated functional organizational units: one being providing a space for elementary through high school age students, the other being adults. A strategic plan is presented for each component and the direction in which this operation as a whole should take to achieve growth will be outlined.

Appealingly unique, both in terms of mission and product, D.C. Chess Hut certainly will have an advantage over current and potential competitors. With a target location in the SE Washington D.C. area, there is a desperate need for a project such as ours. “… The game of chess is a tool, to increase higher level thinking skills, advance math and reading skills, and build self-confidence,” (education.jhu.edu). In “all crime total,” there was only a 1% decrease from 2015 – 2016 (mpdc.dc.gov), with the 10th highest murder rate (wtop.com). In 2017 and beyond, DC Chess Hut will inject critical thinking into possible criminals and afford them the ability to Think Before They Move.

There are many chess programs that have come and gone, and many like Chess Challenge in DC, Bravo Zulu, Chess Girls DC still exist in the DC area and are having a powerfully positive impact. However these programs are exclusive and restrictive in terms of age and access, while DC chess Hut will be all inclusive and will provide a consistent location to enjoy the game that is loved in the DC area.

            There was Big Chair Chess Club in the area that had such a powerful impact that a movie starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as well as a book entitled “Life of a King,” were made in tribute. The founder of Discover Chess Hut will carry on this legacy in good faith of Eugene Brown, the founder of Big Chair Chess club, who is a friend and in support of the D.C. Chess Hut venture.

More information at SayItWithYourChess.com