Volunteer tutor Siri Ammu Vemuru works with young chess players at a Wednesday night session at Lois Nelson Public Library. The students, from left, are Dheesithan, Priyanshu, Viaan Pal, Shivanya and Chevvi. Courtesy photo

What began as a small group of chess players meeting at Princeton’s Lois Nelson Public Library has grown in three years to an enthusiastic club of 83 participants, both young and old.

The club, organized in February 2023 by Ashwanth Vitoba Parbakar and Ali Nayyer, started with 15 residents, said Elamurugu Vaiyapuri, one of the supporters. 

He attributes the growth this year to the efforts of Samia Yamin, a Library Advisory Board member, as well as Library Director Glenda Puckett and technician Amy Massey.

“Within just a few months, the club expanded from 10 students to 83 participants — a clear reflection of the community’s demand for meaningful, educational programs,” Vaiyapuri said.

One of the tutors, Siri Ammu Vemuru, spoke before the April 13 meeting of the Princeton City Council.

She said her 7-year-old son and other students meet at the library from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

“This growth would not have been possible without the library’s kindness and support and willingness to provide space for children,” she said. She added it has created an opportunity for kids to learn discipline while building a community.

However, the library’s capacity is limited to 75 individuals. 

“With students arriving alongside their parents, attendance quickly exceeds this limit,” Vaiyapuri said. “As a result, children are left without adequate space to comfortably sit and play, putting the future of the program at risk.”

Vemuru said children who are not able to attend the library sessions are continuing chess practice on Sundays in parks or some homes.

During the most recent meeting of the Library Advisory Board, parents expressed gratitude to the board and library staff for supporting the program.

“Their presence reflected how deeply this initiative matters to the community,” Vaiyapuri said.

He added that the next step would be to find a larger venue for the chess club to accommodate current players and expand to accept more.

“Without additional space or coordinated community solutions, this thriving initiative risks fading not due to lack of interest, but due to logistical constraints,” he said. “Losing it would mean losing an opportunity for dozens of children to learn, grow and connect.”

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