9 Year Old Basking Ridge Twins Initiate a Fundraiser in Memory of Their Chess Mentor and Friend

Taran and Roshan Idnani, nine year old Basking Ridge twins, take up the charitable task of raising money to be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital in the loving memory of their chess friend and mentor Steve Ferrero.

Steve, editor and publisher of the Atlantic Chess News and one of the most active chess players in the country for decades, passed away suddenly on September 17th, 2013, at the age of 51. He was an enthusiastic and generous chess player, always willing to help analyze or review someone else's game.  He had a sharp tactical style and was always a big proponent of 1. b3.

Born in Hoboken, he was a computer consultant with Loreal USA Cosmetic Co in Clark, NJ. He is survived by his longtime companion Mary McCallion. In lieu of flowers, the family had requested donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Taran and Roshan Idnani had known Steve ever since they started playing chess at the young age of 4.5 years. Steve was always there to help analyze games, inspiring them to solve chess problems or reviewing chess openings with the boys and other members of the chess fraternity. Chess is a great leveler and one of the least discriminatory sports. This complex mind sport is gender, and age neutral and it is in this regard that Taran and Roshan looked up to Steve as a friend and mentor. They were disheartened by the loss and so decided to start a fundraiser in his memory. With help from friends, Jahnvi, Siya and Aishwarya of Monroe, NJ, the twins initiated a "rainbow loom bracelet - Steve Ferrero drive,” wherein they made bracelets and sold them in their community (The Hills, Basking Ridge). The teachers, staff, parents and students of The Albrook School where these twins study, also supported the drive by buying bracelets or helping make more bracelets. The chess community also welcomed this drive with open arms and wallets and a warm smile. The boys surpassed their goal of $1000 and are still selling them. They have raised more than $1800 to date and will donate all the proceeds to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Steve's favorite charity, on the occasion of the annual Steve Ferrero Memorial tournament organized by Dean of Chess Academy in January, 2014. Should you wish to donate and/ or buy a bracelet, please contact:

Dean of Chess Academy,

3150 Route 22 West, Branchburg, NJ 08876

Telephone: 908 595 0066