.png)
Move With Purpose. Keep Pushing.
Chess is more than a game. Every move can build confidence, discipline, community, and opportunity.
about us
More Than Chess. We Build Thinkers, Leaders and Champions.
Pushing Pawns is a New York City chess company founded by Puerto Rican National Chess Master and Guinness World Record holder Shawn Martinez. Born in Spanish Harlem and raised in Brooklyn NY, Shawn created Pushing Pawns with a simple belief that chess is more than a game, it's a powerful tool for education, personal growth, and life.
Through school programs, private coaching, tournaments, workshops, and community partnerships, we introduce children and adults to chess while helping them build confidence, critical thinking, discipline, creativity, resilience, and leadership. Every lesson is designed to develop skills that extend far beyond the chessboard and into the classroom, careers, and everyday life.
Rooted in the culture and diversity of New York City, our mission is to inspire the next generation to think deeper, lead with purpose, and keep pushing one move at a time.
What We Do
Pushing Pawns creates chess experiences for students, schools, families and organizations across New York City. From first-time learners to tournament players, every program is designed to build confidence, discipline, focus and community.
01
Designed for schools that want more than a chess club. Our programs combine after-school enrichment, in-school curriculum, electives, and team development to help students build focus, confidence, critical thinking, and competitive skills.
02
Private Coaching
Reach your full potential with customized one-on-one coaching designed for beginners, improving players, and competitive students aiming to take their game to the next level.
03
Tournaments & Events
Youth tournaments, rated events, beginner competitions, simuls and community chess experiences that bring players together.
04
Camps & Workshops
Chess camps, school-break programs and special workshops that mix learning, competition, creativity and fun.
05
Partnerships & Activations
Custom chess experiences for museums, brands, nonprofits, corporations and community organizations.
TESTIMONIALS
“ After working with coach Shawn, my son really started to love the game of chess ”
- Parent
““Coach Shawn has a gift for making chess exciting and understandable for students at every level. The classes teach much more than moves on a board, they teach focus, patience, problem-solving, and how to think with purpose.”
- School Parent
“Pushing Pawns teaches students much more than chess. Coach Shawn helps them understand that mistakes are part of learning and that every position still has possibilities. My child has learned to stay focused, not give up when things get difficult, and keep pushing until the end.”
- School Parent
