City of Stonecrest, Be Someone to host free chess event Oct. 7, free pizza

STONCREST, GA – With the fall school break just a few days away, now’s the time to start planning some quality activities for the family.

The City of Stonecrest’s Leisures Services Department and Be Someone Inc. Founder Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson are kicking off the break by partnering to bring his life-sized chess board to the Browns Mill Recreation Center on Friday, Oct. 7, 1 – 3 p.m.  Families are encouraged to attend the exciting and fun two-hour event, where participants will learn that there are consequences—or rewards—for every move they make.

“Not only will participants get an introduction to chess, but they will get a primer on using brain power for good,” Hudson said. “We’ll be giving away prizes and seeing who can beat me.”

The session, “Unlocking Game-Changing Life Lessons with Chess,” will provide participants with practical tools and strategies built around five areas of focus:

• Understanding and creating positive self-awareness that impacts behaviors and decision-making
• Preparing and planning ahead; making your next move your best move
• Providing insight on what else is possible
• The key to developing more self-awareness

Hudson says he founded Be Someone Inc. in 2001 with a personal mission to share the game of chess to help others succeed. As a troubled teen growing up in inner-city Birmingham, Hudson learned to play chess from a teacher who saw his potential and the game changed his life’s trajectory.

As Hudson often tells audiences, “Chess saved my life.”

Hudson has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS Early Morning Show, CNN, FOX & Friends, Tom Joyner Morning Show and other programs. He has been on the cover of the world’s largest chess magazine, Chess Life, and has been featured in both, USA Today and People magazine. In addition to being the first African American to capture the Birmingham (AL) City Chess Championship, he also has won the George H. W. Bush Point of Light Award, the FBI Leadership Award, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leader Award.

“Unlocking Game-Changing Life Lessons with Chess will be held  on Friday, Oct. 7, 1 – 3 p.m.,  at the Browns Mill Recreation Center, 5101 Browns Mill Rd., Stonecrest. No registration is required.  For more information, call 770-465-6445. To learn more about Hudson and Be Someone, visit www.besomeone.org .