Meet the Founders

Sophia is a sophomore at ALHS and a dedicated chess player with a current rating over 1800. She has served as an assistant coach at her middle school for over two years, helping younger players develop their skills and love for the game. Sophia has also achieved competitive success, winning two major tournaments: the Princeton Open and the George Washington Open. As a co-founder of Checkmate4Cause, Sophia hopes to expand the organization to bring the joy of chess to more people and give back to hospitals and communities through the game she loves.

Charithra is a junior at OFHS and a dedicated chess player with a rating above 1900. She is a two-time co-champion of the Ohio Girls State Championship, placed second at the National Chess Congress, finished in the top 20 at the Ruth Haring Invitational, and earned first place at the North American Open, out of 150 competitors in her section. As co-founder of Checkmate4Cause, she expands chess education for youth while giving back to hospitals and communities. She also leads TBKidsCentral, coordinating international programs and initiatives that support children affected by tuberculosis. Through her work in both chess and health, she connects strategy, education, and service to create meaningful impact.

Olivia Panciu is a co-founder of Checkmate4Cause and a sophomore at Avon Lake High School. She is a competitive chess player with a rating over 1900. She has won the Ohio Chess Congress and took 1st place in Mixed Doubles at the Pittsburgh Open, among other tournaments. As an assistant coach at her middle school for over two years, Olivia helped younger players develop their skills and passion for the game. Through her work as co-founder of Checkmate4Cause, she aims to inspire other young people to use their skills and interests to make a meaningful impact in their communities.