Alumnus builds popularity of chess in the Big Apple

For Russ, it all started right after his graduation from Concordia. On his second day back in his native New York, Russ came across a surprising sight at the corner of 112th Street and Broadway.

“There was a small crowd gathered around a chess board right there on the street corner,” says Russ. “It was a real New York experience, an unplanned gathering where everybody knew each other’s name. You could feel a tremendous sense of community, of friendship among equals across the chess board.”

Today, New York City Chess Inc. offers affordable private and group lessons, scholastic programs, and tournaments for all levels. Russ brought on 15 instructors, led by an international Grand Master.

The great thing about chess, says Russ, is that there’s no discrimination. “It attracts people of all ages, races and genders and from all walks of life. You’ll see a young child playing an elderly man, ‘the haves’ engaged in an intellectual battle with the ‘have not’s.’ There are no barriers and that’s part of what got me really excited about chess.”

With 5000 active students, New York City Chess Inc. caters to all ages. Monthly scholastic tournaments have become quite popular. They also hold free, community-based tournaments and activities in Washington Square Park.

The jewel in the crown of the organization is the world-famous Village Chess Shop, which Russ purchased with partner Michael Propper in November 2009. A New York institution since 1972, the Village Chess Shop is arguably the most famous chess shop in America and daily attracts visiting tourists from around the world. In it, you’ll find chess sets of all types, collectibles, paraphernalia, and chess aficionados from around the world. It’s open 24/7. Pop in at 5 a.m. and you’re likely to find a game in progress.

As Russ’s chess venture became more and more popular with New Yorkers, he was spending more and more time working on it, living in two worlds at the same time, with his full-time job in the mix. A year and a half ago, he decided to relinquish his career in finance to focus on chess. And he hasn’t looked back since.

Russ feels fortunate to have made a career of his passion for chess. He developed his love of chess at a very young age. Living in New York, his father would take him to Washington Square Park—a hub of outdoor chess playing that’s been featured in famous movies, including Searching for Bobby Fischer. Russ would play chess with his neighbors, grandparents, and friends. Much later, as a Concordia student, he would sometimes partake in chess games during informal gatherings in the Hall Building.

Russ continues to stay connected with his alma mater and is co-president of the Concordia University Alumni Association’s New York Chapter.

One move at a time, New York City Chess Inc. has created the Big Apple’s largest community of chess players.