So you’re looking for an unusual giving opportunity for the holidays? How about sponsoring a giant chess piece for a new outdoor chess board at Old Saybrook Middle School?

The new 12 foot square outdoor chessboard was the brainchild of Alex Ruth, an Old Saybrook High School senior. Alex, a state-ranked chess player, has been the teacher for after-school Enrichments for All middle school chess program for several years.

“Every time we offer the chess program, there’s always a waiting list,” said Youth & Family Services Agency Executive Director Heather McNeil.

It was last summer that Ruth decided his Eagle Scout project would be to construct an outdoor chessboard. After getting the appropriate permissions from the school, Ruth oversaw construction of the new concrete chessboard in the school’s courtyard this summer.

With that phase finished, Ruth reached out to McNeil to see if Youth & Family Services would be willing to help him promote his need for sponsorships to buy the oversized chess pieces that would populate the new board. McNeil, who has seen how popular his chess program has been with middle school students, was eager to help.

“It’s really leaving a legacy for the middle school students. And the oversized pieces are a novelty that could attract even more students to play the game,” said McNeil.

So Ruth, with the support of the Youth & Family Services Agency, is reaching out to the community get donations to sponsor a chess piece. Each black and white piece in the set is expensive, since they are more than 30 inches high and must be weather proof.

A plaque placed nearby the new outdoor chessboard will recognize all of the individuals who sponsor chess pieces.

What are Ruth’s sponsorship levels? To sponsor a pawn is $50 and a knight, bishop or rook, $75. If choosing to sponsor a piece, make sure to specify whether you will sponsor a black or a white piece. The chess set’s two kings and two queens already have their sponsors, but help is needed to fill out the set.

To sponsor a chess piece for the Old Saybrook Middle School chessboard, make out a donation check to “YFS Positive Youth Devt.” and write the words “chess set” in the memorandum field. Mail the sponsorship check to: OSYFS, 322 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. Be sure to include your name and phone number so your contribution to this youth activity can be recognized.

McNeil said that by Nov. 10, an email announcement of the program had garnered five sponsorships, but more are needed.

Perhaps even more important, since Ruth will graduate this year, McNeil hopes to find another student or adult community member willing to take his place teaching the afterschool chess program. Anyone interested in volunteering should call McNeil at 860-395-3190.