Chess is our move against Alzheimer's.
We're a student-founded movement using the world's oldest strategy game to protect minds, through community tournaments and free chess programs for seniors.
A personal story, turned into a movement anyone can join.
After seeing how Alzheimer's affected his own family, co-founder Caton Tsao and fellow chess player Allen Hong turned to something they already knew well, chess, as a way to support cognitive health and bring people together.
What began as two students hosting local fundraising tournaments has grown into a multi-city initiative reaching more players and more communities every season.
Read the full storyHow chess fights back.
From community fundraising to senior outreach, every program moves the mission forward.
Tournaments for a Cause
USCF-rated tournaments across South Carolina where every entry fee goes to the Alzheimer's Association's "Do What You Love to End Alz" campaign. All skill levels welcome.
Explore tournaments →Chess for Seniors
Free weekly chess classes at retirement communities, bringing cognitive stimulation and real social connection to the people most at risk.
See senior outreach →Outside of our community programs, co-founders Caton Tsao and Aman Sreshta are collaborating with Dr. Kaileigh Byrne and the Clemson Cognition and Decision Science Lab. Their independent student research explores chess as a mentally stimulating activity, and whether regular engagement can help support cognitive function in older adults. Learn more →
A bit of the coverage so far.
Love, Strategy and the Fight to End Alzheimer's: How Students Are 'Checkmating' the Disease
National recognition from the Alzheimer's Association highlighting our community tournaments, senior teaching sessions, and collaboration with Clemson University.
Upstate Chess Players Team with Clemson to Study Game's Potential Against Alzheimer's
Caton Tsao and Aman Sreshta proposed a cross-sectional research study to Dr. Kaileigh Byrne at Clemson University, examining which brain regions activate during chess.
Upstate Students Aim to "Checkmate Alzheimer's"
Caton and Allen host community tournaments raising funds for the Association's "Do What You Love to End Alz" campaign across Upstate and Midlands South Carolina.
Moments from the movement.
A look at the tournaments, chess sessions, and community moments behind Checkmating Alzheimer's.
"I have witnessed the profound impact of Alzheimer's on the patient and the family. With this project, I hoped to help others in my community."
Your move matters.
Join the students, seniors, and chess players fighting Alzheimer's, wherever you are.