Our Stories

Who, What, When, Where and Why

We have many wonderful programs, initiatives, & members of our global Gift of Chess community. Each of our journeys may be unique, but we share a joint belief in the transformative power of chess. Here are some of our stories:

Support The Gift of Chess

Russ Makofsky 8/14/25 Russ Makofsky 8/14/25

Susan Namangale, The Global Head of The Gift of Chess, Tours Chess Programs Across NYC

Russ Makofsky 8/12/25 Russ Makofsky 8/12/25

5 Year Update

Russ Makofsky 7/9/25 Russ Makofsky 7/9/25

Tony Ballard Hosted Red Carpet Book Launch in NYC!

Russ Makofsky 6/30/25 Russ Makofsky 6/30/25

Susan Namangale, The Global Head of The Gift of Chess is Featured in the New York Times!

Russ Makofsky 6/16/25 Russ Makofsky 6/16/25

Over 400 Players Compete @ Kenya’s 2025 Jumuiya ya Africa Mashariki Open Chess Championship

Russ Makofsky 6/10/25 Russ Makofsky 6/10/25

The Gift of Chess Launches Distribution Across 50 Countries!

Russ Makofsky 6/10/25 Russ Makofsky 6/10/25

The Gift of Chess Launches Distribution in Haiti

Russ Makofsky 5/6/25 Russ Makofsky 5/6/25

The Gift of Chess Launches Distribution in Pakistan!

Russ Makofsky 4/24/25 Russ Makofsky 4/24/25

Tunde Onakoya and Shawn Martinez Play for 64 Consecutive Hours in the Heart of Times Square, NYC Breaking The World Record!

Russ Makofsky 4/11/25 Russ Makofsky 4/11/25

Jamiu Wins the 2025 UN Games

Russ Makofsky 3/27/25 Russ Makofsky 3/27/25

Tunde Onakoya Brings 5 children from Chess in Slums on American Tour, Including Athens Georgia, NYC, and Harvard University.

Russ Makofsky 3/18/25 Russ Makofsky 3/18/25

2nd Annual The Gift of Chess Walk!

Russ Makofsky 3/4/25 Russ Makofsky 3/4/25

The Gift of Chess Connects Children in Israel.

Russ Makofsky 3/3/25 Russ Makofsky 3/3/25

Adhemar Ahmad Shines at NYC’s Outsider Art Fair!

Russ Makofsky 2/24/25 Russ Makofsky 2/24/25

1,000 Chess Sets Reach Colombia For National Distribution!

Russ Makofsky 2/24/25 Russ Makofsky 2/24/25

The Gift of Chess Launches The Distribution of 1,000 Chess Sets Across El Salvador!

Russ Makofsky 2/6/25 Russ Makofsky 2/6/25

1,000 Chess Sets Arrive in Costa Rica!

Russ Makofsky 1/21/25 Russ Makofsky 1/21/25

Benjamin’s Story

Russ Makofsky 12/19/24 Russ Makofsky 12/19/24

2024 Year-end Report

Russ Makofsky 10/31/24 Russ Makofsky 10/31/24

1,000 Chess Sets Reach Niger.