After playing the World Junior Championship (August 2-15, Chennai, India) Deepak Aaron, the 2009 North American Youth Champion (Under 16 Boys), carved out time to participate in a special charity event. On August 16, 2011 Chess Master Deepak Aaron faced 42 players in simul to benefit the Street Children Project of World Vision India. The event was organized and promoted by Emmanuel Chess Centre. More than $1,250 was raised, exceeding its goal by almost 20%. Deepak impressed all by scoring a perfect 42-0!
According to the offical press release on the event "The complexity of such a challenge (playing a simultaneous exhibition) is paralleled by the problems facing street children across the country. It is estimated that there are as many as 100,000 such children at risk in Chennai alone. World Vision India is working actively to enable at least 2,000 of these children to improve their lives through prevention, restoration and advocacy. Funds raised by Deepak Aaron through this challenge will be used to address issues facing the children on the streets."
Deepak told CLO that one of his toughest games was against 8-year-old Sukumar Pooja, which ended in a beautiful final position:
Black to Move
Despite being up a queen, Black cannot stop checkmate!
Deepak said, " it was great giving back to the community in India, especially in Chennai, where I was born." India's First International Master Manuel Aaron (Deepak's grandfather) and current World Champion Grandmaster Vishy Anand are also from Chennai, India!
Thanks to Marty Grund and the ICC for providing free six months memberships to all participating Scholastic players to their World Chess Live online kid friendly chess club. Also thanks to Ebenezer Joseph (India's First FIDE trainer), Director of Emmanuel Chess Centre, who was the host for the evening.
