Playing Chess for Charity
Dragon Con 2026 raised $3,728 for Hope Atlanta — the 2027 charity will be announced early next year
Final report from the Chess Jawa: $3,728 raised for Hope Atlanta, the official Dragon Con Charity, and 150 games with no losses and three draws. HUGE THANKS to everyone who donated, played, and cheered him on! UTINNI!
Each year the Jawa travels from the Dune Sea to Dragon Con, where he establishes his outpost in the Marriott Lobby near Starbucks. All challengers are welcome. Find the glowing eyes. Sit down. Play.
The Jawa does not play for credits, but instead to raise donations for Dragon Con's official charity, which changes each year — and Dragon Con matches all contributions. For 2026 the cause was Hope Atlanta, helping thousands of Atlanta families move from homelessness to stability. Dragon Con will select the 2027 charity early next year.
Over the years, the Jawa and his generous opponents have raised over $30,000 for charity — one friendly game at a time. Everyone is welcome, win or lose. Stop by and say Utinni!
A founding member of the Double Sun Chess Club and the most highly rated player on Tatooine, the Chess Jawa periodically leaves his clan to travel the galaxy, promoting chess wherever he goes.
In real life, the Chess Jawa is a chess player from Atlanta who started playing in costume at Dragon Con as an 11-year-old. He is now a graduate of the University of Chicago working at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, and a member of the Georgia Garrison of the 501st Legion, where he also portrays Darth Nihilus. The Chess Jawa has appeared at every Dragon Con since 2011 — including a virtual appearance streaming chess on the Dragon Con Discord during the pandemic year of 2020.
Every dollar goes directly to Dragon Con's official charity. Dragon Con 2026 supported Hope Atlanta, fighting homelessness for 125 years. Donations received now go into the bucket for the 2027 charity, to be announced early next year. Donate and help make a difference.
A proud member of the Tatooine Planetary Chess Federation and the Great Jawa Horde. If you've seen the Jawa's Sandcrawler around town, find out more at GreatJawaHorde.com
