Wilberforce Chess Adepts

Meet our Innovate partners!

Global Hand Gateway #21 is a visionary 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting common unity through innovative, culturally-grounded initiatives that bridge local action with global impact. One of those initiatives, an educational initiative, Wilberforce Chess Adepts provides for Global Hand Gateway #21. That educational initiative is called the Chess, Culture & Life Program and is detailed below.

Chess, Culture & Life Program

Explore our comprehensive 5-week program designed to connect African heritage with strategic skill development and personal growth particulalry for youth and adults aged 7 to 21.
Building Future Leaders Through Chess

Week 1: Foundations, Culture & Vision

  • Introduce chess history through an African-centered lens and learn chess basics .
  • Build focus, patience, and cultural pride.
  • Outcome: Be able to set up a board, name all pieces, and demonstrate correct movement confidently. 
Week 2 — Openings & Tactics: Preparation Meets Opportunity

Week 2 — Openings & Tactics: Preparation Meets Opportunity

  • Week 2 — Openings & Tactics: Preparation Meets Opportunity
    Learn core opening principles and essential tactics.
  • Connect preparation and awareness to problem-solving.
  • Outcome: Students start with intention and connect foresight and preparation to academic and personal success.
chess pieces and laptop.

Week 3 — Middlegame Strategy: Think Before You Act

  • Practice planning, evaluation, and balance (attack/defense).
  • Strengthen decision-making under uncertainty.
  • Outcome: Students learn 3 core middlegame principles and develop habits of evaluating options before acting.
empty chess board and fallen chess pieces, business strategy concept

Week 4: Endgames + Finishing Strong

  • Obtain strong understanding of basic endgame concepts.
  • Emphasize perseverance and emotional control.
  • Outcome: Students convert advantages and relate finishing chess games to finishing goals in real life.
     
     
Handshake of the young people after the end of the game as a sign of sportsmanship and fair play. Concept of fairness, justice, equality, fidelity, honesty. blur background

Week 5: Tournament & Celebration

  • Apply skills in friendly competition; reflect on growth.
  • Celebrate African heritage, community, and developing ones self with confidence.
  • Outcome: Celebrate participation, improvement, and achievement with certificates, group photos, and community building for future programs.