2025 US Chess Organizer of the Year!
- FEMchess
- Aug 14
- 1 min read
FEMchess is incredibly honored and deeply grateful to be named the 2025 US Chess Organizer of the Year!
When COVID hit in 2020 and over-the-board tournaments came to a sudden halt, three close friends, WCF NA Allyson Wong, WFM Annaporni Meiyappan, Kavya Sasikumar were determined to keep sharing the game we loved. So they founded FEMchess, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young girls through free chess lessons and mentorship to bridge the gender gap.
The team spent months developing a curriculum and recruiting nationally ranked volunteer coaches who believed in their mission. In 2022, FEMCHESS partnered with Fremont Unified School District to bring chess training to unhoused girls.
In 2023, FEMchess launched the semi-annual California All-Girls Championships, each time breaking records for the largest all-girls tournaments in California's recent history. We never dreamed that FEMchess would one day receive this incredible honor.
This award belongs to every FEMchess officer, coach, and volunteer who has poured their heart into this mission. Thank you to US Chess for this incredible honor!!
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