Our Mission
Chess Express seeks to provide an affordable chess service that progresses the minds of underrepresented individuals by connecting chess and life to teach them skills that sharpen the mind and lead to opportunity. Chess Express would like to create a global community of individuals who have a love for chess for its proven ability to enhance cognitive ability, critical thinking skills, confidence, courage, and a sense of pride to be a black or brown chess player. All Aboard the Chess Express!
Our Story
Chess Express is simply a continuation in the lineage of black, dedicated, decorated, and enthusiastic educators from two different schools: Thomas Edison Charter School and Robert Vaux Middle School. Dr. Salome Thomas-El, a dedicated educator who continued the chess program at Vaux to win numerous championships, berthed the lineage. Dr. El brought the same success to Thomas Edison Charter School where he hired Nathan Durant, Thomas Allen, and Demetrius Carrol, his former students, as chess coaches. Nathan Durant and Thomas Allen then coached Thomas Edison Charter School to 2 National Championships wins. One of the Junior coaches and former players of that team was no other than Jayvon Fairman-Davis, the founder of Chess Express Kids and the current coach of Thomas Edison Charter School. Chess Express Kids is continuing that lineage of sharpening the minds of black and brown youths, making chess cool, and making it cool to be different and successful.
faq
What Benefits Does Chess Have on students?
“Chess improves cognitive capacity, efficiency, and capability. What does this mean? Chess makes your child smarter! In fact,studies have shown that students who play chess have 10% better reading scores than non-chess playing students In addition, chess teaches and enhances leadership attributes such as courage, confidence,decision-making, and more. Please see attached article for more benefits of chess on students. https://mybrainblox.com/blogs/news/the-benefits-of-chess-for-kids”
Do you teach girls?
“Of course we do! Our goal is the game of chess and its benefits to underrepresented students. With only 15% of licensed chess players being women, we must strive to bridge this gap for girls so they are not deterred from playing the game and being the best they can be.”
Do you offer group lessons?
Yes! Group lessons can be scheduled from the home page or you can contact us at chesstacular.service@gmail.com or 302-507-7441
Do you have an in-person location?
Currently, we teach online and travel to schools/homes to teach lessons. However, we will have a designated location in the future. Please follow our Facebook page for more updates https://www.facebook.com/ChessExpressKids