Hello! I'm Darius Zolnor, the founder of Pawnstormers, a company dedicated to bringing the benefits of chess to everyone in Ohio and beyond. Like many of you, I’m not a chess master or coach, but rather the parent of a chess nut.

​

My journey with chess began during my youth, and it remained a casual pastime throughout college at Duke and law school at UCLA, where I enjoyed friendly matches with friends. However, it wasn't until I found myself captivated by the intensity of the 2018 World Chess Championship between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana that I truly began to appreciate the depth of the game.

​

As I immersed myself in the world of chess, playing online for fun, my perspective shifted when my three-year-old son took an interest in what I was doing. This sparked my curiosity about the cognitive benefits of chess for children's brain development. Studies have shown that chess improves critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and concentration, making it an ideal activity for young minds.

​

Watching my son become an enthusiastic chess player ignited a newfound passion within me for the game. I saw an opportunity to contribute to Ohio's chess landscape, particularly in the northwest part of the state. And with that, Pawnstormers was born.

​

Our mission at Pawnstormers is simple: to expand the reach of chess and provide everyone in our region with opportunities to play, learn, and grow through the game. While we’ll initially focus on organizing tournaments, our long-term vision includes offering chess education, camps, and outreach programs to enrich the community.

​

Thank you for your interest in Pawnstormers. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, I invite you to join us at the tables and embark on an exciting chess journey with us!