Chess prodigy goes from homeless to college star

Chess prodigy goes from homeless to college success

As a teen, Omar Cunningham developed a love for the game of chess, and became something of a local prodigy. Unfortunately, an unstable family life led to a substance abuse problem and homelessness.

Today, Omar is sober and a proud graduate of Hudson Valley Community College, thanks to SHIP, the Albany County Sheriff’s Homeless Improvement Program. He’s now a business major at UAlbany, and wants to open a chess center for disadvantaged kids in Albany’s South End.

Here’s Omar talking about how chess is a metaphor for life—64 squares on the board and infinite possibilities. The Times Union also has a nice writeup of his story and the SHIP program. Bravo Omar 👏