Chess Vets Prez Mike Lenox Heads West

Written By: Rachel Schechter

Graphics: Megan Chen

 

 

Good Luck, Mike Lenox

 

Texas’ gain is Illinois’ loss.  After serving Illinois Chess for twelve extraordinary years, Chess Vets President Mike Lenox is taking his very class act west – to a small Texas town where he and his lovely wife Lia hope to advance Veterans’ Chess projects in the Lonestar state.  

For the few Illinois folks who don’t know, Chess Vets’ mission is to “improve the opportunities for veterans to learn, play, and enjoy chess”.  How?  Via Chess Education, Tournaments, Community Outreach, Chess Recreational Therapy, and Operation Play Chess.  Mike’s tireless efforts have improved the lives of countless brave men and women who’ve served our country.  In malls, in VA hospitals, at county courthouses—wherever vets want to play chess—Chess Vets is there.  

With OTB chess activities “on hold”, Chess Vets is focusing on their charitable activities.   Through Operation: Play Chess, Mike and his crew have teamed up with the nonprofit Help USA Troops to deliver magnetic checkbook size chess sets and chess rec therapy instructions to actively deployed troops—wherever they’re stationed—as well as veterans.  Chess Vets also fundraises for First Responder Organizations.  Interested?  Check out this multifaceted non-profit organization at www.ilchessvets.org.

 

Can Chess Save Lives?

 

Lenox—a certified TD, coach, player, former ICA board member and chair for our Veterans’ Committee & US Chess’ 2018 Co-Person of the Year—is also a retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer, who served his country for 20 years (1983-2003) during which time he played chess “with a Russian sailor in Thailand…on a Turkish submarine during a rescue shuttle…and in the North Pole on a nuclear sub”.

Interesting adventures?

But can chess save lives?

Yes and Yes.  In 2008, Mike suffered a major stroke which paralyzed his right side and triggered a 24/7 “brain haze”.  “It was chess,” Lenox claims, “the intense mental focus of chess that eventually lifted the haze.”  

After chess restored his life, his mental acuity—Mike realized it could do the same for other veterans struggling with physical and/or psychological challenges. Ergo, Chess Vets was incepted—as was Mike’s book:  Chess Vets, VA Medical Center, Chess Recreational Therapy Manual: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1686070691.

 

Chess Vets Future?

 

After the Lenoxes head west, will Chess Vets continue to provide veterans—and so improve their lives—with such invaluable chess opportunities?  “Yes,” says Mike, “Though I’ll continue to be involved after we move to Texas, Robert Stoltz and Michael Pedroza will handle all day-to-day Chess Vets activities.  Please contact them through our website.  And if you’re interested in contributing—in volunteering, we’re glad to welcome you on board.”  

Why Texas?

The totally-born-in-the-valley boy, traveled-the-seven-seas-navy-vet, and long-time Chicagoan laughs:  

“Well, my wife Lia and I have family out there.  And besides, I’ve always wanted to wear a 10-gallon hat.  They hold a lot of chess pieces—and then some.”

Thank you, Mike Lenox—for your past, present, and future chess efforts.  We, who love the royal game, salute you.