December 1 is "Giving Tuesday" -- coming on the tails of Cyber Monday and of course last week's Black Friday.
Chess is not a game (or is it a sport?) that requires much equipment to play, but even those basic materials are tough to come by to some.
Although usually modest, tournament entry fees and US Chess Federation dues can pose an impediment to playing in competitive events. And when it comes to access to chess education, sadly, we do not always live on a level playing field.
The Illinois Chess Association is dedicated to aleviating inequities when it comes to these matters.
Further, the ICA attempts to support the spread of chess to the next generation as well as to geographic pockets in our 102-county state which have yet to achieve a critical mass of players.
If you would like to support the ICA in its endeavors, please consider a donation -- or a membership -- at this page: http://www.il-chess.org/index.php/shop
The ICA, established in 1960, is a federally-recognized 501 (c) (3) so donations are tax-deductible.
And if you know of ways of bettering the chess community, feel free to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.and we'll see what can be done!
If you know of someone in need whose Christmas (or Hannukah or Kwanza) might be brightened by a chess set, let us know.