Student Enrichment Scholarship Recipient Testimonial – Roy’s Passion for Chess

We are thrilled to share that Roy has been selected as a recipient of the Student Enrichment Scholarship, which he has utilized to participate in an advanced chess enrichment activity guided by a chess Grandmaster.

“As Roy’s parent, I have been privileged to witness firsthand his remarkable passion and dedication towards chess.

Roy’s journey with chess began earlier this year, and since then, he has shown exceptional enthusiasm and commitment. Spending around 10 hours each week honing his skills, Roy has made rapid progress, demonstrating a natural talent and a profound understanding of strategic thinking. His dedication has not only impressed me but also his peers, who admire his strategic prowess.

With the scholarship funds, Roy joined an exclusive online chess program led by Chess Grandmaster Ronen Har-Zvi. Ronen has been facilitating online chess seminars and mentoring young minds for several years, and his programs have been incredibly successful. After a competitive application process and a one-on-one “chess talk” with Ronen, Roy was admitted into this weekly online chess program. The program includes 1-2 one-hour discussion sessions and a simultaneous online chess game each week.

Under the guidance of an expert like Ronen, Roy has gained invaluable insights and techniques. This experience has not only elevated his chess proficiency but also fostered critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and discipline. The support from the scholarship has perfectly aligned with its objectives, offering Roy the chance to develop skills that will benefit him academically and personally.

Roy has truly made the most of this opportunity, emerging from the program with enhanced skills and renewed enthusiasm. The scholarship support has not only benefited him intellectually but also inspired him to pursue his interests with zeal and determination.

We are delighted to share some moments capturing Roy’s intense focus while working on a chess puzzle. Sometimes, he even creates his own puzzles and challenges himself to solve them. He still plays on chess.com every day and recently participated in his first tournament, where he showcased his growing talent. Additionally, Roy has taken on the role of a coach at home, providing me, a complete beginner, with short lessons on chess opening strategies and guiding me through solving chess puzzles.

Supporting Roy’s passion for chess through this scholarship has had a profound impact on his development and future success. We are grateful for this opportunity and excited to see where his chess journey will take him next.”