2024 Herbert B. Jacklyn Program Recipients Announced

US Chess is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024-2025 Herbert B. Jacklyn Program. The winners, their hometowns, and colleges/universities they are attending are:

• Ajay Subramanian, Solon, OH, attending Babson College, Wellesley, MA
• Kevin Flores, Palmview, TX, attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX
• Alex Zhang, Brooklyn, NY, attending Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
• Jessica Lee, Mountain Lakes, NJ, attending Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
• Vasishta Tumuluri, Downingtown, PA, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
• Gaayathri Binoj, Chesterfield, MO, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
• Keith Biteng, McAllen, TX, attending University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX

In addition to the 18-21 age requirements set forth in Dr. Jacklyn’s bequest, applicants for the Jacklyn Program must be US Chess members with a rating between 1500-2000 and have a sustained history of playing in US Chess-rated events.

Dr. Jacklyn wished for his gift to assist young chess players in continuing their training as they reached adulthood. According to his family, Dr. Jacklyn loved chess his entire life and didn’t want players to lose interest or stop playing as they entered new phases of their lives.

Through the application process, awardees indicated what chess has meant to them, and why they want to continue playing: 

Image	Ajay Subramanian has found happiness and self-improvement thanks to the game of chess. As someone who admits to previously struggling academically in middle school, he attributes learning chess to helping him become a better thinker and academic. This shift in focus and academic performance has led to his acceptance into Babson College, where he is currently excelling. His previous service as a chess teacher to underprivileged students has translated directly to now being the President of his college chess club, where he continues to provide a fulfilling chess environment to all who attend. With the help of the Jacklyn Program Fund, he intends to further his chess skills to become an expert level player before age 25 and then a national master in the following years.
Image	Kevin Flores has learned important lessons by playing chess. He says he has learned to never give up, no matter how bad the circumstances are or how hopeless the situation may seem. He says that chess has taught him accountability, that decisions have consequences, and that chess teaches you to appreciate someone else’s perspective. Kevin loves the depth and complexity of the game and says that even when you think you’re becoming an expert, there is so much more to learn. He would like to use the Jacklyn Program funds to continue competing, expand his chess library, and give back by helping his high school chess club to grow.
Image	Alex Zhang admits that when he was first introduced to chess in kindergarten, he found the game very confusing. He understood how to move the pieces, but the numerous openings left his head spinning. After much study, Alex grew to love the beauty and complexity of the game. He credits chess with sharpening his analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as being instructive on how to approach problem-solving from different perspectives. Alex hopes to create a nonprofit chess organization that focuses on tutoring student chess players.
Image	Jessica Lee has been an active chess player since the age of five years old. Despite feeling some discomfort from being a female chess player amongst mostly males, she credits chess for teaching her valuable life lessons such as determination, perseverance, and sportsmanship. She was the Vice President and President of her high school chess club in her 11th and 12th grade years, respectively. However, the school year did not limit her chess activity, as during the summer she ran a summer chess club at Parsippany PAL for two and even taught chess to students in South Africa via Zoom! With the support of grants, she was also able to create the JL All-Girls Chess Tournament which has run annually for three years. This tournament not only encourage girls to play chess but served as a location to gather food and toiletries to help women in need. Jessica intends to use the Jacklyn Program funds to increase her own chess skills and ultimately teach these skills to other players.
Image	Vasishta Tumuluri challenges the idea that college students should merely focus on their professional aspirations at the expense of their passions. He has encountered several people who adhere to this ideology and have questioned him for pursuing his love for chess. Despite knowing that college studies would limit his time for chess, he knew that chess was something he would always make time for. His love for the game would always keep him interested in improving and playing. Vasishta has also served as the Vice President for the University of North Carolina’s Chess Club, where he has organized tournaments and helped others to engaged in chess. Although he does not have a goal for a specific rating, Vasishta wants to continuously improve and plans to use the Jacklyn Program Award to participate in more tournaments and become a better chess player.
Image	Gaayathri Binoj found community through chess. Whether it was visiting the chess park in Old North St. Louis, exciting local chess tournaments at fast food restaurants, or exhilarating games at her college chess club, she also felt a sense of belonging amongst the chess community. During her high school years, she ran a chess club and directed chess tournaments at a nearby elementary school. This passion and dedication ultimately led to the creation of a brick-and-mortar chess club in her hometown. Gaayathri has dedicated grant awards to supporting this chess club and loves promoting chess amongst female players. She intends to use the Jacklyn Program Award to further her training to eventually become a national master.
Image	Keith Biteng was first introduced to the game of chess by his grandfather and father. Although just an elementary student at the time, he fell in love with the game, started competing in tournaments, and in middle school quickly reached a rating of 1400. With a competitive spirit and an appreciation for challenging stronger opponents, he reached 1600 in high school despite not having much time for the game. He continues to compete even now as a college student and attributes chess for helping him to learn key skills such as strategic thinking, foresight, and perseverance. As a dedicated member of his college chess club, he eagerly promotes chess to those within his community. Keith intends to use the Jacklyn Program Fund to help his team support his members and help them attend events such as the Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess Championship.
Image	Herbert Jacklyn was born on December 18, 1924. He grew up in The Bronx and graduated from Columbia University Dental School. He served as an army medic in World War II, where he was stationed in Okinawa and was awarded a Purple Heart during his service.  His love for chess continued well into his 90s, organizing chess tournaments for children in local elementary schools who looked up to him and referred to him as the "Chess Master." Dr. Jacklyn passed away on March 8, 2020, at the age of 95.

The US Chess Jacklyn Program runs annually and accepts applications from June 15 through August 15. Both individuals and teams are encouraged to apply. Past winners are welcome to apply again if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.