Youngest African American Chess Grandmaster

The Story

Short Summary
My name isJoshua Colas, I'm 16 years old and I enjoy playing the piano, video games,working on Photoshop and basketball. I made history when I became the youngestAfrican American chess master at age 12.
On December 14, 2014, I won the title of 11th Grade National Chess Champion. My next goal

is to become the youngest African American chess grandmaster.  I know it won't happen overnight and I have

to keep working at it, but I’m determined to make this dream come true. I live

with my mom, dad, older brother and my younger sister.  My parents constantly remind me that if I

work hard and believe in myself, nothing is impossible.

My dad is

really passionate about chess and he passed on this appetite to me when he

first taught me the game at 7 years old. My dad taught me everything he knew

about the game as we travelled city to city, country to country playing (and

winning) tournaments. Spending so much time with him made us become not just

son and dad, but best friends. The days when my dad could beat me in a game are

far gone and that’s what he wanted. Now, the next step is for me to accomplish my

goal of becoming the youngest African American chess grandmaster in history. To achieve this dream, I need your financial support. Please help fund National Chess Master

Joshua Colas. More information about my chess journey can be viewed on my website, joshuacolas.com.

 

Tournament schedule for 2015:

-

PHILADELPHIA OPEN (PHILADELPHIA)  $1,000

(4/16/15)

-

CHICAGO OPEN

(CHICAGO)  $1,500  (5/22/15)

-

WORLD OPEN ( VIRGINIA)  $1,000 (6/30/15)

-

US MASTER CHAMPIONSHIP (NORTH CAROLINA) $1,500  (8/28/15)

-

DC INTERNATIONAL (VIRGINIA) ;$1,500 (6/26/15)

-

WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL ( MARYLAND) $ 1,500 (8/9/15)

-

SPICE CUP (ST. LOUIS  MO): $1,500 (10/22/15)

-

NORTH AMERICAN OPEN (LAS VEGAS): $ 1,500  (12/26/15)

-

VILLA DE BENESQUE OPEN (SPAIN): $5,000 (7/15/15)

-

COACHING(YEARLY) : $7,800

-

TOTAL: $

23,800

Chess isn't known as 'cool' sport so it might be harder to generate a buzz within the general public.  I hope I can raise more awareness, especially amongst young people, for chess.

Thank you very much for your support and let's make history!