AN INSPIRATIONAL CT CHESS PROGRAM
BY COACH DAN STARBUCK PELLETIER
“DIG, Inc. was founded in 2013 by Dan Starbuck Pelletier in Connecticut. DIG
stands for Determination, Integrity, Growth. DIG (www.TeamDIGUSA.com)
initially focused on individual and small group soccer and chess practices in
Wilton and Weston, training over 1,000 different players since 2013.
In December 2015, a DIG coach and Dan were having dinner together in South
Norwalk, Connecticut. They decided that it was time to give back on a regular
basis. DIG then went on to launch ‘DIG Lesson for Lesson’ on January 1, 2016.
The ‘DIG Lesson for Lesson’ mission statement is: For every DIG lesson paid for,
a kid in economic need can attend a DIG lesson for free. Since that night in the
restaurant, DIG has hosted over fifty free soccer lessons in Bridgeport, CT, over
forty free chess lessons in Bridgeport, CT, over 150 free chess lessons in Hartford,
CT, and nine free chess lessons in Framingham, MA. The total attendance at these
free lessons has surpassed 5,000.
We have written some stories of chess players successes in my biography on our
website: https://www.teamdigusa.com/coach-dig-chess-soccer-dan-pelletier/
USCF NM Derek Meredith has done tons for these kids in Hartford by driving
them, sponsoring them, and teaching them. Same with Kevin Zimmerman.
Rob Roy has sponsored them and provided food for them. When these kids go to
tournaments, they go with nothing. It is very expensive to get them registration,
food, and transportation, but I have great people with us to help.
PHOTO: Coach Dan with his chess students
Clean and Green Laundromat in Glastonbury gave $500 for three of them to go
to the Boston Chess Congress Tournament, where one of them won the U1250
division, winning $372. Other people helped sponsor that too. I could list another
ten people who have given time or money to help these kids, and that is just Hartford.
I am really focused on Bridgeport now, and we are growing fast. I just got two of
our chess players in elementary school who are from Nigeria and received full
scholarships to Easton Country Day School, which I think is $21,000 a year. We
are taking some of the Bridgeport kids to tournaments like the Hartford kids and
will have success.
An anonymous donor gave a large amount of money to help this program. The money has been used for registration, food, transportation, and equipment for these kids. It is not just the really good players. We have also just given something to do to kids who have nothing to do.
The moral of the story is that chess is connecting people who have resources and experience to young people who really could use some help. It gives them a common ground even though their cultures and upbringing are completely different.
Nov. 16 2019 Yankee Peddler Open
3SS, G/60 d5. Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main St. (Rt 31), Coventry, CT 06238. EF: $35 Cash Only Onsite Only. $$GTD: $160-80. Reg.: 9:45 am - 10:10 am. Rds.: 10:30, 1:30, 3:45. INFO: ConnecticutChess@Gmail.com Dir: One Section. Accel.Pairings. https://ConnecticutChess.blogspot.com W.
Nov. 16 2019 Yankee Peddler Open Web Listing
Dec. 14 2019 Holiday Party Open
3SS, G/60 d5. Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main St. (Rt 31), Coventry, CT 06238. EF: $35 Cash Only Onsite Only. $$GTD: $160-80. Reg.: 9:45 am - 10:10 am. Rds.: 10:30, 1:30, 3:45. INFO: ConnecticutChess@Gmail.com Dir: One Section. Accel.Pairings. https://ConnecticutChess.blogspot.com W.
Dec. 14 2019 Holiday Party Open Web Listing
