About Big Chair Chess Club

 Our mission at the Big Chair Chess Club is to teach the un-teachable, reach the un-reachable, and help others discover the power that comes from always thinking before they move. 

At Big Chair Chess Club, our motto, "Think B4U Move," serves as a guiding principle, teaching essential life skills like decision-making, patience, and forward-thinking. These values extend well beyond the chessboard, shaping lives through improved decision-making, career planning, and personal growth. As a US Chess Affiliate and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we use chess to create pathways for success for underserved communities in Washington, D.C., and beyond. We offer programs that reduce recidivism, assist with reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals, and provide transformative mentorship and training for youth and adults alike.

Eugene Brown’s legacy endures through the students he has mentored. Today, former students Wendell Hankins, Wendall (Cory) Brown, and Daniel Folks lead the club and carry forward the "Think B4U Move" philosophy. These young leaders, once guided by Eugene, now help guide the next generation of players and thinkers. Their lives, filled with both on- and off-the-board achievements, demonstrate the transformative impact of Big Chair Chess Club’s programs and its commitment to empowering others.