The Royal Oak Initiative (ROI) invites you and your family to celebrate International Chess Day in Columbus, OH on Saturday, July 23, with special guest International Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, the 1st African-American Grandmaster in the world!

Join us for a full day of events from 8:00am-8:00pm that will include workshops, chess-inspired art and poetry, a speed chess tournament, and a simultaneous exhibition in which Grandmaster Ashley will play over 20 people at once!

Upper Cup Coffee, 79 Parsons Ave

8:00am-9:30am- “Coffee with a Grandmaster” Social

Columbus Metropolitan Library
Main Branch, 96 S. Grant Ave

10:00am-11:30am- “Think like a Grandmaster” Chess Workshop
2:00pm-3:00pm- “Becoming a Grandmaster” Keynote + Q&A
3:00pm-4:00pm- “Play a Grandmaster” Simultaneous Exhibition

MPACC BoxPark, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave

4:00pm-6:00pm- “Art & Chess in the Park” Tournament & Activities
6:00pm-8:00pm- “Chess & Poetry” Open Mic

All are welcome to attend regardless of age, background, chess experience, or skill level!

To get more information and to register, please visit theroichess.org! Let’s make moves!