Playing Chess for Charity

This year supporting Hope Atlanta — preventing and ending homelessness

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Latest News

September 3, 2025

Post DragonCon 2025

Many thanks to everyone who played and donated to the #ChessJawa! The Jawa played 194 games this weekend with four draws but no losses. Most importantly, he raised $3,704.89 to help us Star Wars fans contribute a total of $9,151.89 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the official Dragon Con Charity! Dragon Con […]

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The Jawa's Quest

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. This year the cause is Hope Atlanta, helping thousands of Atlanta families move from homelessness to stability.

Over the years the Jawa has extracted over $25,000 from willing opponents — all for charity. Your move, outlander. Utinni!

The Chess Jawa playing at Dragon Con

About the Jawa

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.

$3,704 Raised in 2025
194 Games at DC 2025
15 Dragon Cons
$25,000+ Total Raised

Support the Cause

Tatooine Planetary Chess Federation

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