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By KARA O'CONNOR

Villager Staff Writer


WILTON -- Move by move, Middlebrook School sixth grader Kapil Chandran strategically worked his way through 38 chess competitors on a recent afternoon in the school's media center.

The 11-year-old wasn't trying to break a specific record, he was simply looking for a fun way to raise relief funds for Haiti.

"I know that a lot of people are just collecting money for donations to Haiti because they want to help, but I thought it might be more fun to mix a fundraiser with a game, like chess," said Chandran about the Feb. 4 event he organized, Let's Make a Move For Haiti. "That way it's different than just handing over your money."

The funds raised during the event -- $306 -- are going to the Change for Children organization, which is working to help children affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.

Chandran -- who, in September, became the highest rated elementary and middle school chess player in the state, having achieved USCF (United States Chess Federation) Expert status -- said he first thought of the idea for the chess fundraiser a few weeks ago.

He was glad to see such a turnout at the event, which had him moving from chess board to chess board after each move.

"I think that a lot of people want to help raise money for people in Haiti," said Chandran, who beat 35 of the event's competitors, tied two and lost to one. "It was great to see so many people show up, compete and donate."

Chandran's 13-year-old brother Rohit, who also participated in the fundraiser, said Let's Make a Move For Haiti was a great idea.

"I think having a chess match to raise money is a fun way to get people to help out," he said about the event, which included both student and teacher participants. "This is a good cause and it's an interesting way to donate. I had a fun time."

Since this fundraiser was such a success, Chandran said he wants to have another tournament in the future to raise money for another organization.

"I don't know what organization we could raise money for, but a lot of people need help," he said. "I think that if we had another chess tournament, we could raise even more money than we did last week."

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