On a recent weekend in the Greater Los Angeles area, the air in the tournament hall wasn’t just filled with the quiet clicks of chess clocks and the scratch of pencils on score sheets. It was filled with a powerful sense of purpose. The occasion was the 2026 Greater LA School Chess League, a tournament that, in its second year, has more than just grown in size – it has blossomed into a profound partnership between a local non-profit and a global movement for social good.
Organized by the Kindness On Board Foundation (KOBF) and co-hosted by the Diamond Bar High School Chess Club, this year’s event was a resounding success. Participation surged from 26 teams in 2025 to an impressive 46 teams, representing 32 schools from across the sprawling metropolis. But what truly set this tournament apart was its heart. This year, the Kindness On Board Foundation proudly hosted the event as a fundraiser for FIDE’s Infinite Chess Project, a global initiative dedicated to teaching chess to children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.
The Los Angeles chess community responded with characteristic generosity. Thanks to the contributions of participating families, the event raised nearly $7,000 to support the Infinite Chess Project’s mission. For Jonathan Chen, founder and director of the Kindness On Board Foundation, the event was a perfect reflection of his organization’s name.
“This tournament is more than a competition – it is a celebration of kindness, teamwork, and commitment,” said Jonathan Chen. “We are proud of what we are building together and look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come.”
The connection with the Infinite Chess Project was made tangible by the presence of two of its key figures. Traveling from Canada was Ala Mishchanka, a FIDE Infinite Chess Project ambassador and co-author of the project’s handbook. With over 21 years of experience as a Special Needs Educational Assistant in Toronto, Mishchanka brought not only her official role but also a lifetime of on-the-ground expertise. She delivered an inspiring and informative lecture to the KOBF’s volunteers on supporting children with autism, a session that was deeply appreciated by the local team.
In her opening ceremony speech, Mishchanka shared the heartfelt origin story of the Infinite Chess Project, which began in 2019 at a chess school in Belarus. Inspired by two remarkable chess players, Anastasia Sorokina and Natalia Popova, the project started with a simple question from a parent: could his son with ASD also join the chess lessons?
From that moment, a global family was born. “Today, 28 countries have joined the Infinite Chess family,” Ala Mishchanka told the assembled players and families. She highlighted the project’s comprehensive achievements, including a unique methodological guide for teachers and parents, which she co-authored and which has now been translated into seven languages.
“Our mission,” she explained, “is to unlock the unique potential of these extraordinary children, using the infinite, predictable logic of chess to build foundational skills for life.”
The virtual presence of Maria Tamkovich, Secretary of the FIDE Social Commission and coordinator of FIDE Infinite Chess, further underscored the international collaboration. Maria’s words of encouragement resonated with the volunteers, young players, and their families, reinforcing that they were part of something much larger than a single local tournament.
The event was a testament to grassroots organisation and community spirit. Jonathan Chen extended sincere thanks to Diamond Bar High School and Chess Club advisor Eric Sorensen, whose unwavering support over three months of preparation was instrumental.
As the tournament drew to a close, the focus shifted from the scores on the board to the impact off it. In a moving ceremony, Ala Mishchanka took the stage to present one of FIDE’s highest social recognitions. She explained that the FIDE Social Chess Award was established during the FIDE Year of Social Chess to recognize individuals and organizations making outstanding contributions to the social impact of chess. Its primary aim is to highlight efforts that go beyond competitive play, demonstrating how chess can serve as a powerful tool for inclusion, education, empowerment, and community building.
“By recognizing exemplary contributions, the award encourages national federations to support social chess initiatives, celebrate local heroes, and share inspiring stories that demonstrate chess’s broader societal value,” Ala Mishchanka announced. “And now, I have the great honour to present one of FIDE’s highest recognitions for such a hero – the Kindness On Board Foundation.”
She highlighted the global impact of the foundation’s support: “Thanks to your support, Infinite Chess students in South Africa, Gambia, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka have received not only additional groups and chess lessons but also new equipment and supportive materials. Thank you very much on behalf of FIDE and all Infinite Chess partners.” The award was a powerful culmination of the day’s events, cementing the partnership between the local foundation and the global initiative.
The 2026 Greater LA School Chess League proved that a chess tournament can be a powerful platform for change. By weaving together competition, fundraising, and education, the Kindness On Board Foundation and the Infinite Chess Project have built a lasting bond, demonstrating that the most meaningful victories are the ones we achieve together.