Michael suffered a major stroke which left him with right-sided weakness, requiring the use of a wheelchair. During his rehabilitation, he was reintroduced to the game of chess which ultimately aided his mental recovery. Wanting to spread the word of how chess helped him, he found a non-profit called Chess Vets NFP. Michael’s goal is to provide opportunities for other veterans to learn, play and enjoy the game of chess. Michael serves as a board member and committee chair on the Illinois Chess Association and as local Tournament Director and Certified Coach at the US Chess Federation.

How has chess helped you?M: I was in a mental “haze” for over a month after my major stroke. A friend of mine visited me when I was in rehabilitation in Seattle at the VA hospital. We played a game of chess and the ‘fog” started to lift. Another friend of mine, a psychiatrist, told me it was because of the intense concentration. She also said I could solve Sudoku puzzles to achieve the same result. Chess vice Sudoku works both sides of your brain.

What inspired you to start Chess Vets?M: In a word, my beloved wife Lia. She told me I was watching too much TV and playing computer games. I needed to get a hobby.

How do you face obstacles in life? What keeps you moving forward?M: Being in a wheelchair and having the use of one hand is physically limiting, but I still have my mind. Helping others is my passion. Making my wife proud of me is another.

What are your other hobbies?M: Playing computer games. Tip: Using a mouse with my non dominate hand really helped. Totally recommended. Take that, you gaming naysayers!

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?M: Galveston Texas in winter. The quiet empty beaches, playing chess on the pier with my wife, and shrimp with grits.
Tip: Get a travel powerchair. Highly recommended if you can use one. Why? It is lightweight, fits in the trunk of any car, and is super easy to travel on a plane with. I had a manual wheelchair at first. My wife had a hard time pushing me around in it. Why? I am big. She is not. Why didn’t I just move myself then? Because I only have the use of one arm. That is great if I just wanted to go in circles. Lol. Seriously though. I can “steer” with one leg, but the leg really tires out and hurts. This is especially true on slick floors.

What is your suggestion for families of children with disabilities to empower their children?M: Life is Chess. Think ahead. Make the correct moves and you will win.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who are interested in learning chess?M: It is super easy these days (Oh god, I sound so old!). Youtube and the internet have limitless content. www.ChessKids.com and/or www.Chess.com. Depending how old you are.
Speaking of age. Studies have shown that older adults with hobbies that actively engage their brains are two-times less likely to contract Alzheimer’s. A 2014 study(By Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Florida, and University of Washington January 20, 2014) also concluded how brain training exercises, like chess, for older adults can have benefits lasting for decades.
You can also email me at mdlenox@comcast.net. I will send you a PDF of my book for free or you can just get a copy of the book (www.amazon.com/Chess-Vets-Recreational-Therapy-Manual/dp/1686070691). It is a small step by step manual featuring the rules of play, basic strategy, and tactics.
I wrote the manual to help fellow veteran patients enrolled in our organization’s VA programs. Some had severe Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and cannot read anymore, so I put pictures on every page. I also kept the reading to a minimum.
You can also join in our daily online chess club. All welcome. Come even if you don’t want to play. We are starting it up again very soon. It is free. Need more info? Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/chessvets.org.

Any special message for our community?M: Keep informed. Go to an Abilities expo if you can (www.abilities.com). During these COVID days, they have been moved online. I started out as a participant and brought my organization in as an activity booth in Chicago. We sponsored a former US Braille chess champion one year from Tennessee. He was born blind, but he is a much stronger chess player than I am.
Chess and our community are perfect partners. A couple of the strongest chess players I know (and I know A LOT of chess players) are severely physically disabled. Their bodies have failed them, but they will beat you down mentally. Respect.