202 Beatdrops: Bum Rush The Boards!

Local hip hop activism nonprofit Words Beats & Life (WBL) is teaming up with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation to host the fourth annual Bum Rush the Boards Hip Hop Chess Tournament. The tourney is being held at the Columbia Heights Community Center on April 18 from 11 AM to 6 PM. The project aims to communicate the importance of overcoming life’s obstacles strategically:

“By connecting hip-hop to chess, WBL has created a chess tournament that exposes youth to a culture (hip-hop) and a science (chess) that requires them to think ahead, to manage talent and to size up their adversaries. WBL recognizes that these skills are not only useful in both chess and hip-hop, but in business and life, as well.”

Players of all ages and skill levels can enter the tournament individually or as part of a team. (4 player minimum). In addition to the competitive chess matches participants will also enjoy workshops on visual arts, chess, DJing and graffiti.



A clip featuring 2008's youth intermediate level winner, Marte Garner (I recommend reading the Washington Post article)



Footage of last year's tourney