About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is to help local youth grow into confident chess players while gaining life lessons the game teaches—patience, strategy, resilience, and good sportsmanship.

The Pawn Project offers FREE meetings where players are met at their level and supported in strengthening their skills and becoming more confident competors both in skilled play and sportsmanship.

As students work their way through The Pawn Project skill levels, middle and high school students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by mentoring and coaching fellow youth during in-person meetings.

The Founder

The Pawn Project was founded by eleven-year-old, Truett, of Loudoun County, VA, who dreamed of sharing his love of chess with local peers and growing alongside them in skill. Partnering with Chess Club Inc, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the Loudoun Library system, he brought that dream to life. Today, Truett serves as Program Director and Lead Youth Coach.

OUR COACHES:

Carter

Carter has been playing chess for over eight years and has participated in numerous chess clubs and local tournaments. He successfully completed the highest level of The Pawn Project’s chess program and joined the coaching team in January 2026. A local 10th-grade homeschooler, Carter favors the English Opening and enjoys supporting younger players as they grow their skills and confidence. Outside of chess, he’s passionate about art and animation, and he plays both drums and guitar.

Truett

Truett is a self-taught chess player and proud member of both VA Chess Federation and USCF. He has earned multiple wins in over-the-board tournaments, including recognition as the Top Unrated Player at the 2024 K–5 Virginia Scholastic State Championship and second place in the 2026 VA Open. Online, he has achieved more than 50 top-three finishes across ChessKid and Lichess tournaments and has maintained a Lichess blitz rating above 1800 and bullet rating above 2200. He's also rated 2400 in puzzles on ChessKid.

Hasan

Hasan is an avid reader and a talented tournament-level chess player who began his chess journey at age six. He’s rated 2700 in puzzles on Chess.com and has a track record of winning both in-person and online tournaments. A member of both the VA Chess Federation and USCF, he has multiple in-person tournament achievements including Top Unrated Player in the 2026 VA Chess Open. He enjoys helping other young players improve their skills while fostering sportsmanship, strategy, and confidence on and off the board.

Summer Leadership Team 2026

Will

Ethan

Isabel

Isaac

Kenneth

Truett

Truett is a self-taught chess player and proud member of both VA Chess Federation and USCF. He has earned multiple wins in over-the-board tournaments, including recognition as the Top Unrated Player at the 2024 K–5 Virginia Scholastic State Championship and second place in the 2026 VA Open. Online, he has achieved more than 50 top-three finishes across ChessKid and Lichess tournaments and has maintained a Lichess blitz rating above 1800 and bullet rating above 2200. He's also rated 2400 in puzzles on ChessKid.

Carter

Carter has been playing chess for over eight years and has participated in numerous chess clubs and local tournaments. He successfully completed the highest level of The Pawn Project’s chess program and joined the coaching team in January 2026. A local 10th-grade homeschooler, Carter favors the English Opening and enjoys supporting younger players as they grow their skills and confidence. Outside of chess, he’s passionate about art and animation, and he plays both drums and guitar.