Meet the Founder
Lucas Bassuk
Lucas has been playing chess for over a decade. He began competing in tournaments at 7 years old, accumulating many awards, including an 8th grade state championship, 2nd place at the North American Open, and multiple top 5 state finishes. He has played tournaments in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and New York. Over the years, Lucas has shared his love for the game with countless kids, helping them build valuable life skills such as confidence, patience and discipline.
Chess Empowers, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, was created to expand that impact, especially to children who would not typically have access to or get involved with chess. Through Chess Empowers, Lucas teaches chess and hosts tournaments. 100% of the funds raised goes to expand chess in underprivileged communities both locally in Arizona and in Korea.
Lucas hopes to inspire children to develop a life-long love for the game while expanding their knowledge and having fun! By making chess more accessible and widespread, Chess Empowers aims to grow the future of the game, one kid at a time.
Together with Chess Empowers Towards Excellence.
At Chess Empowers, we are on a mission to make chess accessible to every child, regardless of their background or circumstance. We believe that when a child learns to think strategically over a chessboard, they gain skills that last a lifetime — patience, focus, problem-solving, and confidence. Join us in building a world where every child has the opportunity to discover their potential through the power of chess.
