Johnny Means
I began playing Chess at the age of 10 and have competed in numerous tournaments while maintaining a lifelong passion for the game. In 2015, I founded the Wilmington Urban Chess Initiative, inspired by my volunteer work teaching Chess to low-income youth in my city and witnessing the positive impact it had on their lives. Through this initiative, we hosted two tournaments and sponsored over thirty children to obtain official United States Chess Federation (USCF) ratings.
Now, as an adult with a college degree and broader life experience, I am committed to revitalizing my nonprofit and expanding its reach. My goal is to serve a greater number of youth and adults, transforming Making the Right Move into the leading Chess organization across Delaware.
David Nettleton
My dad introduced me to Chess, and I fell in love with the game from the very start. I was captivated by the endless patterns and strategies it offered. At the age of 10, I joined a local Chess program where I formed lifelong friendships, including one with Johnny Means. Together, we competed in tournaments and analyzed our games after each round, helping us grow both as players and as friends.
During that time, I was shy and introverted, but Chess helped me build meaningful connections and manage my social anxiety. I’m passionate about teaching Chess because of the profound positive impact it had on my life, and I’m eager to share that experience with others.
Pierre Jacquot
My love for the game started in high school, where I attended a small Chess club during lunch periods since no after-school programs were available. I’ve always been drawn to the strategic aspects of Chess, enjoying the challenge of finding patterns and positioning pieces to build an advantage. However, the lack of mentoring and resources discouraged me from pursuing it. Despite this, my passion for the game remained strong as a casual player.
Later in life, my good friend Johnny Means shared his vision of offering affordable Chess mentoring to the community and making the game accessible to everyone. Together, we aim to create a program that spans the entire state of Delaware, making a lasting impact in the lives of those we teach and becoming a cornerstone of community engagement in our great state.
