Sannah: Her Move Next Goes Global

Her Move Next, an organization that started off in an NYC public school, has now spread far beyond the tri-state area, and even beyond 21 states in the United States. Between Her League and Her Coaches, Her Move Next now has 31 registered members from Kenya (26), Ghana (2), Nigeria (2) and China (1).

BY SANNAH KUMAR
FIORELLO H. LAGUARDIA HIGH SCHOOL OF MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS
HER LEAGUE COACH & HER NEWS COLUMNIST

Bernice Wambui - photo courtesy of The Gift of Chess

Her Move Next, an organization that started off in a public school located in New York, has now spread far beyond the tri-state area––and even beyond 21 states in the United States. Between Her League and Her Coaches, Her Move Next now has 31 registered members from Kenya (26), Ghana (2), Nigeria (2) and China (1). The recent rise in HMN players in countries such as Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria has been very exciting to observe, showing us just how powerful our chess community can be. To gain insight into HMN’s global expansion, I contacted several of these players via phone call, text, or email and hope to share their experiences with you. 

“Through chess, I have made new friends in our country and all over the world,” said Elsie Wambui Kamoni, a nine-year-old national chess player from Kenya and HMN member. Like Elsie, many of the players I interviewed shared the impact chess has had on their lives. Bernice Gikandi Wambui, an 11-year-old national chess player from Kenya, the ambassador of Gift of Chess Global Youth, and a fellow member of HMN, said, “I love it more when I travel to play internationally and interact with people from different parts of the world. I have got to learn a lot from them and improve on my games. Moreover, I have made many friends globally and interacted with people from different cultures in different countries, and it was really fun.” Her Move Next, being an organization focused on spreading the love of chess and empowering girls and women across the globe, is grateful to have contributed to our fellow members’ experiences. Providing an online platform where girls around the world can play chess with each other truly connects us all and encourages more girls to participate. 

Ivie Urieto - photo courtesy of The Gift of Chess

Additionally, chess among children has only recently become more popular in Nigeria. Ivie Oreto, an eight-year-old national chess player from Nigeria, discussed her experience being one of the very few children chess players in her community. She explained, “There are a few children players, but they are mainly adults. I feel honored to play with adults.” Once her father found out about Her Move Next, she was also introduced to more children her age interested in the analytical game. 

Sisters Amy and Angel Mutua, national chess players from Kenya, described their experience with chess as “amazing” and “great so far.” They both say that they joined Her Move Next hoping to improve their games and learn from one another. Angel said, “It has helped me to teach other children from the Membley Outreach program who cannot afford training fees.” Angel is a part of many organizations beyond Her Move Next and she continues to spread chess even more.

Several players expressed appreciation for Her Move Next’s monthly Her League tournaments, which are open to girls around the world. Many members have claimed them to be beneficial to their chess skills. Hephzibah Awurama Manubea Tandoh, a chess player from Ghana and another fellow member of HMN, said, “I wanted to learn from great women so I can be a great person as well. I also wanted to test how good I have become by engaging in the monthly tournaments.” Her League tournaments connect many members and introduce them to fellow players. One of these tournaments, Her League 18, was Riziki Kuka's first tournament. Riziki is another HMN member and national chess player from Kenya who started playing chess in Class 1. Seeing her brother play chess motivated Riziki to join HMN. She explained, “it looked fun and it was a very supportive community that helps us girls be recognized.” She further expanded, saying, “Chess helped me with concentration in my classes, and it also helped me with my studies and improved my IQ level.”

It is amazing to see Her Move Next grow and inspire more girls around the world. We hope to see this movement grow more widespread and evolve into something even more astonishing.