Ohio high school Chess Masters checkmate for mental health 

Above: Nancy McCann, senior director of Development at Summa Foundation, accepts a check from Amogh Tripathi and Anant Adury, organizers of the Northeast Ohio Open, on behalf of the Summa Health Behavioral Health Institute.

Two Ohio high school students are making strategic moves beyond the chessboard to benefit mental health in their community. Amogh Tripathi and Anant Adury are leveraging their love of the game to support the Summa Health Behavioral Health Institute.

The pair organized the Northeast Ohio Open, a prestigious chess tournament, which took place in Twinsburg, September 20-22. Their aim was to raise awareness and funds for an important cause close to their hearts.

Amogh, a junior at The Mastery School of Hawken in University Circle and founder of the Northeast Ohio Chess Club, said, “It makes us feel good to know that we can make an impact.”

The connection between Amogh and Summa Health is a personal one. As a teen volunteer at Summa Health, Amogh experienced the health system’s commitment to patient care firsthand. “Patients are first. The top-tier patient service really impressed me,” he recalled. 

Amogh’s positive volunteer experience spurred him to share it with Anant, igniting a shared passion for making a difference.

“We wanted to do something to give back to the community through the pipeline of Summa Health,” said Anant, a Revere High School senior. 

The tournament attracted chess enthusiasts from nine countries around the world and featured a top 10 Grandmaster and Grandmasters from Ukraine, Peru, Cuba and Serbia. Nearly 80 players from across the country, including U.S. Chess Federation National Master and International Master players, competed in the event raising $500 for Summa Health patients.

“It’s more than the amount we are donating,” said Amogh. “We also believe that by doing this, others will come forward and create a ripple effect of philanthropy in the community for behavioral health care. We couldn’t find anything better than the Behavioral Health Institute to support.”

Anant underscored the relevance of their cause. “Studies have shown that chess can help with Alzheimer's Disease and other memory-related or focus-related disorders, as well as anxiety and depression. The mission of the Behavioral Health Institute directly correlates with these findings.”

Summa Health is pleased to be the beneficiary of such a thoughtful and impactful initiative. Funds raised from the Northeast Ohio Open will directly support the institute’s mission to improve the lives of patients dealing with behavioral health issues.

For more information, contact Summa Foundation at 330.375.7485 or foundation@summahealth.org.