National Champion Tam Gavenas
“Tam Gavenas started as a camper in third grade and is now a friend of Chess NYC. Not the most well-behaved kid when he was with us, but always a great one.
One thing that was always prevalent with Tam was that he LOVED Chess. In July 2025, he wanted to return and work with the kids who once filled his shoes.
Tam is an excellent representation of the goals and achievements of Chess NYC. To learn Chess and develop a love for the game, but also create great people who dream of doing great things.
With the assistance of Chess NYC, Tam attended Collegiate and Andover High School, where he found a passion for track and field.
Tam was the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2024-2025, the Foot Locker Cross Country National Champion, and achieved many other notable accomplishments.
Tam is heading to Harvard in the Fall of 2025, and we are lucky to have him as one of the Friends @ Chess NYC.”
World Famous WGM Dorsa Derakhshani
“They tried to write my story for me. But I stole the pen.”
Dorsa Derakhshani’s journey with Chess NYC began online over Zoom, but her story reaches far beyond the chessboard.
Through our 17 years in the chess world, we’ve met many extraordinary players, but Dorsa’s path stands out as one of the most inspiring and impactful.
Growing up in Iran, she embraced chess not only as a sport but as a way of thinking—a tool that would later open doors across the world.
In 2017, at just 18 years old, Dorsa competed in the Gibraltar Chess Festival. Choosing to stay true to herself and her beliefs in the face of Iran’s restrictive policies toward women, she played without a head covering as an act of protest.
In response, the Iranian Chess Federation banned her from the national team and from representing her home country. Suddenly, the place she had always called home was no longer welcoming.
Yet chess gave her more than a challenge—it gave her freedom! The game became her passport to new opportunities, ultimately leading her to the United States, where she built a new life, earned her citizenship, and pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a physician.
Today, Dorsa is a medical student, and she credits chess for helping her develop the discipline, resilience, and problem-solving skills that made this possible. “The queen. The one who moves. The one who doesn’t ask permission.”
That spirit has defined Dorsa’s life. She now uses her platforms to empower and to speak for the girls in Iran who cannot, “Who play chess behind curtains.” We are here to help Dorsa in her efforts to promote her story, and it is our honor to work with Dorsa as a Friend @ Chess NYC.”
Canadian Leader Gyan Awatramani
“Gyan Awatramani is a co-founder of the Vancouver Chess School, where he has spent over 16 years coaching students of all levels and leading teams to success in provincial, national, and international competitions.
With a background in psychology, strategy, and leadership, he champions chess as a tool for building focus, resilience, and creativity both on and off the board.
We met Gyan in August of 2025 when the Director and his family went on vacation in Vancouver. Upon arrival at the Vancouver Chess Schools location, we were immediately impressed by his charisma and passion for teaching the game.
Gyan Awatramani is one of the good guys in the Chess community, and it is a pleasure to have him as one of our international friends at Chess NYC.”