PAL Executive Director Frederick Watts and the Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez have announced a new initiative at PAL IS 218 Center in East New York and Wynn Center in Bedford-Stuyvesant to provide high-quality chess programs to 300 after-school youth.
The chess program is spearheaded by Maurice Ashley, the first African-American international Grandmaster. Ashley was raised in Brownsville and discovered chess at Brooklyn Technical High School
The chess instruction at PAL will reinforce logic and critical thinking skills while promoting a love of the game. Participants will compete in a center-wide tournament followed by a Brooklyn-wide competition.
“We also wish to recognize the contributions of the late Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson, whose vision and commitment were central to making this chess program a reality," says Mr. Watts, PAL Executive Director.
