This is Coach Jason Morefield. Jason is 12 years old and is the Head Coach at the Westover Hills Branch of the Richmond Public Library. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Jason since his 1st tournament. Jason is a self made player that studies hard and conducts high level analysis on his own games. His level of maturity and his love for the game made seeking his services as a coach a no brainer. The US Chess Federation has no minimum age requirements to be a Player, Coach, Tournament Director/Referee, or Organizer. Just 1-3 years of progressive chess activity can change the entire nature of a person’s high school application, college application, and/or resume! RCI is the nations leader in the performance of paying children, adult pay for adult work. With his parent’s permission, Jason became a coach for us when he was 11 years old. Jason earns $22.00-$33.00 per hour. The $1750.00+ a year that RCI pays children coaches can accomplish many things! It’s Wi Fi for an entire home to have access to the internet. It’s rental of a lap top from Rent A Center. It’s shoes, coats, or clothing for themselves or a family member. It’s more or better food. It’s a grandparent’s medicine. It’s birthday and holiday gifts. It’s a video game. It’s a washer and dryer! It’s a savings account. It’s chess books and DVD’s. It’s being able to use public transportation! It’s a bicycle or moped to get around town. It’s an electric or water bill. It can even finance the continuance of their chess career. These are the tournaments that Jason and his mom said RCI earnings made posssible in whole or in part:

20TH NORTHERN VA OPEN (VA) 2ND WASHINGTON CHESS CONGRESS (VA) 43RD ANNUAL WORLD OPEN! (VA) 3RD CHERRY BLOSSOM CLASSIC (VA) 3RD CHERRY BLOSSOM CLASSIC BLI (VA) RICHMOND METROPOLITAN GRAND PR (VA) 47TH VA OPEN-2015 (VA) VA SCHOLASTIC & COLLEGIATE CHA (VA) 53RD BALTIMORE OPEN (MD) 41ST ANNUAL EASTERN OPEN (MD)

At the time of this writing, RCI is still a privately funded, part paid/part volunteer, tournament chess, professional development, and entreprenuerial training company. The Richmond Middle School Chess League and the Richmond Metropolitan Grand Prix provide training and tournaments to help chess players of all ages earn scholarships, employment and entreprenuerial opportunities. Your participation makes it easier to find sponsors. Your donations pay for coaching and “Chess for Tots”!

Chess is cheap but it’s not free! As 2016 approaches take a good look at all that RCI has accomplished. If you want us to grow and reach more children, please make a donation of money or equipment. If you have a business, we’d love to showcase your support for chess in Richmond, throughout the commonwealth, and the country. Time the only thing you have? Don’t sell yourself short! We will train you and let you in on the fun!

Our Next tournament is the 5th of December at the Main Library @ 101 East Franklin Street at 9 am.