An 11-year-old New York City boy is making the world a better place, one chess move at a time. Raza Patel is the founder of Moves For A Mission, a nonprofit aimed at helping children in need. The nonprofit hosts chess socials and provides chess education through mentoring.

Aug. 21, Patel hosted the third fundraiser, and first at Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. Patel has spent the last four summers in Boothbay Harbor with his family. He and his younger sister, Taal, are frequent visitors to the library.

But this library also holds a special place in Patel's heart as it hosts a weekly chess match. He has attended regularly and played against local chess enthusiasts. So he decided last summer, he wanted to host a library fundraiser through his nonprofit.

In the nonprofit's events, he discusses chess tactics and mentors players of all levels. Fundraiser proceeds for this event went to BHML's Children's Room and program, said Executive Director Joanna Breen.  

Pre-registration fees didn't materialize as quickly as organizers expected. Faced with the prospect of a low donation, Patel visited local businesses to raise money for the library. "He took it upon himself to go out and raise money," his mother, Roopakshi Mathur, said. "He walked around town, and I waited outside while he met with people. In about about 2.5 hours, he raised about $500." 

About a dozen chess enthusiasts of differing levels attended the event. Patel began by explaining how chess is played and provided tips on optimal use of pieces along with game strategy. Eventually, attendees became players and Patel mentored them during competition. One of his tutees was Isaac Meyers of East Boothbay. Meyers had previously met Patel at a summer camp event. He also attended the library's weekly chess event the previous day and heard about the fundraiser. 

"I play occassionally, and I wanted to learn more about chess," Meyers said.

Patel played Meyers in a practice match and learned the finer points about castling. "It's a move to keep your king out of danger by moving two spaces in a single move either left or right depending on if you've moved your rook,"Patel said.

For Meyers, the tutelage proved beneficial. "I learned about castling and how to attack with your pawns by moving them diagonally," he said. 

Patel learned the game at age 2. He was drawn to the game by a chess set given to his parents as a wedding gift. "I told him he couldn't play with it until he learned how to move the pieces," Mathur said. 

Raza is rated at the 1,800 level in chess based on FIDE (International Chess Federation) and ranked as the 51st best 11-year-old player in the world.

His father, Mikal Patel, taught him the game. Now Raza Patel attends Speyer Legacy, a New York City private school and elementary chess powerhouse. "At a young age, we were encouraged to put him in tournaments. He also has received advanced coaching with the school team," Mathur said.  

The event was hosted by BHML and the following sponsors: Mung Bean, Gleason Fine Arts, Gracelynn Gardens, Kaler's Restaurant, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Grover's Hardware, Ritz Jewelry, Fish Co./Footbridge Lobster Rolls, Black River Gallery and A Silver Lining.