About Me
Merric Hu, USCF National Master
Hello, my name is Merric Hu. I am the Founder of UKnighted Chess, and am a USCF National Master with a peak rating of 2295. My best wins include a win against the former highest rated female player in the U.S and 2021 & 2023 U.S Women's Champion, Carissa Yip. Additionally I have beaten the world's youngest grandmaster, Abhimanyu Mishra, when he was younger, as well as several other grandmasters.
I started playing chess when I was at the ripe age of 5 and fell in love with it at first sight. It has led me to make many new friends and connections that I would never have made without chess. Even now, I see every chess game as a fighting and strategy-making experience, but also as an opportunity to bond with other people.
As such, my goal with UKnightedChess has been to connect people with chess, promote social interaction, and build a positive community for everyone who likes to play chess.
Our Mission
The mission of UKnighted is to promote chess among all age groups with an emphasis on the young and elderly. We want to use chess to build bridges among people, encourage social connections, lower rates of anxiety and depression, and higher self-esteem. Chess brings friends together and creates a trusting society.
Our team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Meet our team of talented individuals from a variety of states, ages, and skill level.
Upcoming Events
Delbarton Chess Summer ClinicMon, Jul 17Morristown
Board MeetingFri, Jun 23Zoom
First Class at McAuley Hall Health Care CenterWed, Apr 05Watchung
Board MeetingMon, Mar 13Zoom
Photoshoot and Meeting at Ridge Oak Senior CenterThu, Feb 02Ridge Oak Senior Center
Delbarton November Swiss TournamentSun, Nov 13Delbarton School
Delbarton Chess Clinic TournamentFri, Jul 22Delbarton School
Teaching at Koo Chinese AcademyTue, Jun 07Koo Chinese Academy
Delbarton April Quads Chess TournamentSun, Apr 24Delbarton School
Why Chess?
1
Chess for Students
Chess training and practice support the development of higher-order thinking skills—like problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, planning, and even creative thinking. Chess training and exercise also help improve general cognitive ability and academic achievement—especially in mathematics.
2
Chess for Seniors
Chess training and practice support the development of vigilance and awareness. Chess can involve many traps and tricks, and seniors can learn to deal with them, which may help them avoid scams and deception in everyday life. Training and practice promote the development of mental sharpness and cognitive vitality among seniors that can help slow the onset of dementia.
3
Chess for Everyone
Chess reinforces affective attributes such as patience, prudence, and perseverance. Two prominent virtues of chess are fairness and honesty. The international chess community promotes civil behavior and respect for the opponent but punishes players found to have cheated. Chess is a civil game with an ethical code that predisposes players to play respectfully with other individuals.