He started by giving chess lessons to raise funds for the club. He also sold T-shirts and chessboards. A local Panera Bread restaurant offered to host the club one evening a week. Adam spread the word about the new club on social media.
Today, DNA Chess holds free weekly meetings for the community. The club provides game boards and free lessons to people unfamiliar with the game. It also holds tournaments for players who want to compete locally.
Adam is thrilled to be uniting people over their love of the game. Recently, a family of Ukrainian refugees came to the club the same day they arrived in town. “I was so happy that the chess club could provide them a place of comfort and opportunity to meet others,” he says.
In the future, Adam wants to be able expand the DNA Chess Club into cities and towns throughout his state.
“The club has built so many lasting friendships,” Adam says. “Chess is the glue holding us together.”