In the quiet corners of New Jersey communities, a revolution in education is taking place. Students who once had limited access to advanced learning opportunities are discovering new pathways to success through chess boards and computer screens. Behind this transformation is Code Knights, a nonprofit organization that’s changing the landscape of educational opportunity one student at a time.
Creating Communities of Learning
Education doesn’t happen in isolation. The most powerful learning experiences often occur within communities where knowledge is shared, challenges are tackled collectively, and achievements are celebrated together. This fundamental insight drives everything we do at Code Knights.
Founded in 2024 by Goktug Bas, our organization began with a simple observation: students from Ridgewood High School and Bergen County Academies were naturally teaching and learning from one another, creating informal networks of knowledge exchange that benefited everyone involved.
This organic peer-to-peer learning model became the blueprint for Code Knights’ approach to education. Today, we’ve formalized and expanded this model to reach underprivileged students throughout New Jersey, creating vibrant learning communities where chess and coding serve as vehicles for broader educational development.
Breaking the Cycle: First-Generation Tech Enthusiasts
For many of our students, Code Knights provides their first meaningful exposure to computer science and strategic thinking games. These students often become the first in their families to:
- Write computer code
- Consider STEM career paths
- Develop systematic approaches to problem-solving
- Build confidence in their intellectual abilities
This pioneering role can be challenging, but it also creates profound opportunities for intergenerational change. When a student becomes the first in their family to master coding or competitive chess, they open doors that subsequent generations will walk through with increasing confidence.
The Chess-Coding Connection: Building Complete Thinkers
Why does Code Knights focus specifically on chess and coding? These complementary disciplines work together to develop what we call “complete thinkers” – young people who can approach problems from multiple angles:
Chess develops:
- Strategic foresight
- Patience and concentration
- Risk assessment
- Learning from mistakes
- Competitive resilience
Coding cultivates:
- Logical thinking
- Creative problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Technological literacy
- Builder’s mindset
Together, these skill sets prepare students not just for specific careers, but for a lifetime of effective thinking and learning in any field they choose to pursue.
Beyond the Digital Divide: Access as Just the Beginning
Providing access to technology and education is essential, but it’s only the first step. At Code Knights, we understand that true educational equity requires:
Sustained Engagement
One-time workshops or brief interventions rarely create lasting change. Our mentorship model provides ongoing support as students develop their skills over months and years.
Cultural Relevance
We ensure our teaching approaches connect with students’ lived experiences and cultural backgrounds, making learning accessible and meaningful.
Psychological Safety
Many underprivileged students have had negative experiences in educational settings. We create environments where questions are welcomed, mistakes are valued as learning opportunities, and every student feels they belong.
Future Pathways
We connect students with information about educational and career opportunities, helping them envision futures where their chess and coding skills open doors to advancement.
From Students to Leaders: The Code Knights Journey
The ultimate measure of our success is not just what our students learn, but what they do with that knowledge. We’re proud to see former participants return as mentors, creating a sustainable cycle of education and leadership development.
This journey from student to teacher represents the fulfillment of our deepest organizational values:
- The belief that everyone has something to teach
- The understanding that teaching deepens one’s own knowledge
- The commitment to giving back to one’s community
- The recognition that leadership grows through service
Join the Movement: How You Can Be Part of Code Knights
As we continue to grow our impact across New Jersey, we invite you to join our community of learners, teachers, and supporters:
For Students:
Discover the joy of strategic thinking and creative problem-solving through our free programs. No prior experience is necessary—just curiosity and willingness to learn.
For Parents:
Connect your child with mentors who can nurture their intellectual development and help them build skills for future success.
For Educators:
Partner with us to bring chess and coding opportunities to your students, complementing your existing curriculum with our specialized expertise.
For Community Members:
Support our mission through volunteering, spreading the word, or contributing resources that help us reach more students.
Tomorrow’s Leaders Are Today’s Students
At Code Knights, we believe that within every student lies untapped potential waiting to be discovered. Through chess and coding education, mentorship, and community building, we’re helping young people unlock that potential and develop into the innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders our world needs.
When we invest in underprivileged students today, we’re not just changing individual lives—we’re building stronger communities and a brighter future for everyone. Join us in this mission, and together, let’s create a world where every student has the opportunity to become a knight of knowledge, strategy, and positive change.