Orrin Hudson, two-time winner of the Birmingham City Chess Championship, will come out of retirement to compete in the 37th World Open chess tournament in Philadelphia, taking place July 1-5. The tournament will take place at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, located at 17th and Race Street, with Hudson’s first match taking place at 11:00 a.m. on July 3.

Hudson retired from competitive chess 10-years ago in order to found Be Someone, a non-profit crime prevention program that uses chess to teach children analytical thinking skills.

“I’ve devoted the last 10 years of my life to teaching children to push pawns, not drugs,” said Hudson. “With the support of Brenda and Bill Goichberg from the Continental Chess Association, I’ve decided to get in the game and once again compete in the World Open.”

The World Open brings together champions from across the globe to compete for $250,000 in prize money. Players compete in nine sections based on their current rating. Hudson, whose rating is 1690, will be competing in the under 1800 section.

Hudson turned his focus from competitive chess to using the game as an educational tool after he learned of an incident in which seven Wendy’s employees were shot, five of whom died – for a mere $2,400. It was this tragic incident that inspired Hudson to quit his job and use his life savings to found Be Someone, a not-for-profit organization designed to raise self-esteem while teaching responsibility and analytical thinking skills to at-risk children.

Now, Hudson travels the country mentoring children to value KASH – Knowledge, Attitude, Skills and Habits – over cash. Since its founding in 2001, Be Someone has touched the lives of over 20,000 students across the country.

For more information on Orrin Hudson and Be Someone, please visit: www.besomeone.org. Continental Chess has organized chess tournaments in America, including the World Open, for more than 40 years. For more information, please visit: www.chesstour.com.

About Be Someone
Founded in 2001, Be Someone is a non-profit crime prevention program aimed at the youth of America. Be Someone teaches self-esteem, responsibility and analytical thinking skills to at-risk youth through numerous tools, including the game of chess. Be Someone also offers inspirational programs for corporations and parents, designed to foster teamwork and encourage participation in the lives of children. If you are interested in donating, volunteering or learning more about Be Someone, please visit www.besomeone.org.

Editorial Note: Hudson will be in the Philadelphia area from July 1 – July 6. As an experienced national broadcast media guest, he is available for interviews during this time. Contact Kate Bryant, Spaulding Communications, at (404) 270-1010, ext. 5 or kateb@spauldingcommunications.com.