Our Mission

In December 2007, Luke ranked #1 in the USA for all 3rd Graders. Three months later, he became the youngest Scholastic State Chess Champion in America.  Today, Luke is the highest rated active player in Idaho for all ages!

This interactive website is created on behalf of Luke Harmon-Vellotti to help in his efforts to raise chess awareness in Idaho. The intention is to create and develop a snapshot of Idaho chess with a biography of Luke and the many different personalities and tournaments he encounters in his travels.

This site will also offer an opportunity for private donors to support Luke on his quest to become the youngest Grandmaster in U.S. history- a record previously held by Bobby Fischer and now held by 15-year old Fabio Caruana. This will make him the first person to reach the elite level of Grandmaster in Idaho history.  

Sponsorship for such an effort is essential and is being provided for other youth players by their governments, but state assistance for chess does not exist in the United States.

Many expenses are incurred along the road to this pinnacle of success which include travel expenses to significant tournaments (most of which are located on the East or West Coasts or internationally) and training expenses including the prestigious U.S. Chess School. One of the most often incurred expenses for elite chess tournament players are the entry fees to tournaments which can range anywhere from $100 to $500 per entrant.

Through this website, we are seeking to reach out and enlist the help of all supporters who would like to see an American player reach the pinnacle of global chess, the winning of the world championship.

Donors will have a chance to challenge, take private lessons or have a lunch or dinner with him. Any 2010 donor will have the opportunity to become a founding member of the website and will get a monthly e-mail newsletter. Please click on the “Sponsors” button (located on the main page) to view all the ways that you can help Luke as he dares to challenge and become the world’s best!