Murfreesboro, TN - Rutherford County Property Assessor Rob Mitchell has launched a chess program in Rutherford County that will benefit local at-risk children. This celebrity chess tournament will feature local celebrities such as former State Representative Donna Rowland, State Representative Mike Sparks, Rutherford County School Board Member Caleb Tidwell and current Nashville Mayoral candidate Alice Rolli. This chess tournament will happen this Saturday from 9am - 2pm at Congressman Scott Dejarlais’ office in The Fountains at 1500 Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro. All are invited. 

In addition, Rob Mitchell recently received a $5,000 grant from Marcus Lemonis to help his effort in creating the chess program.  Marcus Lemonis stars in the hit CNBC reality tv show, The Profit. The focus of the show is assisting local businesses by using Lemonis’ resources to help grow their businesses.

This chess enrichment curriculum has been a growing sensation across the country. States like Alabama and New Hampshire have already implemented this program in their education efforts. These programs are also used in other countries. UK studies from chess programs in youth have shown a link to higher IQ scores, an increase in problem solving skills, memory improvement, and creative thinking.

In order to help raise funds, Mitchell is holding a series of charity matches between elected officials from local communities to benefit critical thinking and life skills education programs in their local communities. The parings for the matches will be elected office participants from each county. The donation pledge for entry will be $100. The winner from the matches will take the losers’ pledges to donate to their local critical thinking and life skills program of their choice.

If you support helping at-risk youth develop critical thinking skills, please reach out to your local elected officials and encourage them to participate in these efforts to support this chess program.  For more information, contact Rob Mitchell at rob4rctn@gmail.com