Senior Director of Strategic Communication Dan Lucas Inducted into Georgia Chess Association Hall of Fame

Dan Lucas, the Senior Director of Strategic Communication, was recently inducted into the Georgia Chess Association Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Georgia State Championship tournament on April 20, 2024. Lucas, a 30-year award-winning chess journalist, was recognized for his significant contributions to the Georgia chess community.

During the ceremony, Lucas expressed his gratitude for the honor, stating, “I am deeply honored by this recognition from the GCA. It was amazing to hear my name mentioned at the same ceremony where so many other accomplished chess personalities and players were named. I’m also grateful to the Hall of Fame committee for recognizing the importance of chess journalism.”

Lucas is part of the inaugural group of 12 inductees, which includes notable figures such as WIM Dr. Maria Carolina Blanco Acevedo, IM Boris Markovich Kogan, and Scott Parker. The Georgia Chess Hall of Fame was established in 2024 to honor members whose outstanding chess achievements have significantly impacted the Georgia chess community.

The ceremony was attended by Lucas’ family, colleagues, and friends, as well as members of the Georgia chess community. David Spinks, who has directed over 2,300 tournaments, was also honored with a Meritorious Service award during the event.

The Hall of Fame committee, chaired by Kent Meadows, was commended for their hard work in identifying and presenting the nominees to the GCA board. The GCA President, Fun Fong, and the Board of Directors were also recognized for their support of the Hall of Fame initiative.

Congratulations to Dan Lucas and all the inaugural members of the Georgia Chess Hall of Fame! Keep an eye out for an article about the ceremony in an upcoming issue of Chess Life.