Support Lucas Yao
It would mean a lot to Lucas to have the support of his community.
Lucas works hard every day and is deeply grateful for every bit of encouragement he receives. What you see on this site is potential, not a finished story — and carrying it forward takes more than one family. If you are stopping by at an event, cheering him on, or backing him as a sponsor, every amount helps.
Lucas is a minor, so card payments are processed through Zealous Digital Solutions, his parent's company, using its Airwallex business account. Sponsorship support is for Lucas's chess, travel, coaching, music, and related development costs.
Interac e-Transfers may be sent to info@lucasyao.com. That mailbox is the Lucas sponsorship contact address and form notifications are copied to info@zealousseo.com for administration. Sponsorship is a business arrangement rather than a charitable donation, so no tax receipt is issued. For a business, sponsorship with logo placement is normally treated as an advertising expense — the CRA's own guidance allows sponsorship costs in advertising expenses when they are reasonable and made to generate income — so please confirm your situation with your accountant. Sponsorship is invoiced by Zealous Digital Solutions.
Individual donation
Donate by card
For families, friends, event visitors, and community supporters who want to help without a formal sponsorship package or public recognition.
Make a donationCorporate sponsorship
Choose a sponsor level
For businesses and organisations that want their logo on the shirt Lucas wears at the board — for one tournament or the whole season — plus a sponsor listing, a backlink, and LinkedIn visibility.
View sponsorship options
3
FIDE titles earned in a single year — at age 11
12
Years old. The youngest Canadian ever to hold FM — earned at 11.
9+
Countries competed across — 3 continents, 1 year
WCC
Represented Canada at the World Cadet Championship
Three boards. One shirt each. Your mark on it.
If you join before he leaves for Houston, your name is on the shirt he wears at that board — and at every board after it this season. Season partners ride every shirt; an Event Sponsor backs one tournament and takes the upper back of that shirt alone.
Logo deadlines are the print dates. Miss one and your mark simply joins the next shirt — support is never lost.
October 5–10, 2026 · Confirmed
1st Azeri Chess Academy Open
Houston, Texas · 9 rounds · GM and IM norm event · capped field
Six grandmasters and three international masters already confirmed, with a separate best-junior prize on the line.
Logos due
September 25
Backed by
Zealous Digital Solutions
November 4–9, 2026 · Confirmed
20th SPICE Cup Open
Bellevue, Washington · 9 rounds · invitational-strength open · FIDE rated
A short drive from Vancouver — the one event this season where family, friends, and sponsors can come and watch.
Logos due
October 23
Backed by
Zealous Digital Solutions
December 26–30, 2026 · Under consideration
36th North American Open
Las Vegas, Nevada · 9 rounds · GM and IM norms possible
The year-end decision — confirmed if the season’s support carries that far.
Logos due
December 11
Backed by
Zealous Digital Solutions
Scroll to turn · drag to nudge
The kit — place your own logo
Worn in the hall — concept render, example marks
See your mark on the jersey
Where would your logo live?
The largest mark, front and centre — on every shirt this season, seen at every board and every bow. Reserved for a single lead partner.
Rendered in your browser only — your file is never uploaded.
“You become part of the story before most people know there is one.”
What this means for Lucas
Lucas Yao is 12 years old. Born August 24, 2014. In the twelve months before his twelfth birthday, he earned National Master, Candidate Master, and FIDE Master — three titles that most players spend a decade chasing. He became the youngest Canadian ever to hold FM.
He is not between chapters. He is in the middle of the defining one. Every sponsorship dollar goes directly into keeping him in the arena: flights to international tournaments, accommodation, entry fees, coaching, and the preparation that makes the difference between competing and winning.
What this means for his family
His parents have funded every step of this journey themselves — every flight to Egypt, every hotel room in a European tournament city, every coach. Some supporters want public recognition. Others simply want to help a young player keep going. Both kinds of support matter.
What this means for sponsors
This is early-stage positioning you cannot buy later. The businesses that back Lucas now get something no future sponsor can: they were there first. Your brand earns authentic association with youth achievement, strategic thinking, Canadian excellence, and an international story still being written — at a fraction of the cost of conventional sponsorship, with none of the artificiality.
Public event visitors can donate any amount directly through secure Airwallex card checkout. Businesses and organisations that want their mark on the shirt choose a level — one tournament or the whole season — submit their details, and continue to secure Airwallex card checkout. Visa, Mastercard, and Amex accepted. No account required. All amounts in Canadian dollars.
Lucas is a minor, so card payments are processed through Zealous Digital Solutions, his parent's company, using its Airwallex business account. Sponsorship support is for Lucas's chess, travel, coaching, music, and related development costs.
Interac e-Transfers may be sent to info@lucasyao.com. That mailbox is the Lucas sponsorship contact address and form notifications are copied to info@zealousseo.com for administration. Sponsorship is a business arrangement rather than a charitable donation, so no tax receipt is issued. For a business, sponsorship with logo placement is normally treated as an advertising expense — the CRA's own guidance allows sponsorship costs in advertising expenses when they are reasonable and made to generate income — so please confirm your situation with your accountant. Sponsorship is invoiced by Zealous Digital Solutions.
Public event donation
Donate by card
For passersby, families, friends, and community supporters who want to contribute without a logo placement, backlink, or formal sponsorship package.
Community Crest
per season
A meaningful first step. Your name is typeset inside the small crest on every tournament shirt this season — individuals, local businesses, and chess-community members welcome.
- ✓Name typeset in the crest on every tournament shirt this season
- ✓Name listed on lucasyao.com/sponsors
- ✓Personal thank-you note from Lucas
- ✓Season highlights email with results and photos
Event Sponsor
one tournament
Choose Houston, Bellevue, or Las Vegas. Your logo runs across the upper back of the shirt Lucas wears at that tournament — one Event Sponsor per event, so the mark is yours alone.
- ✓Your logo across the upper back of that tournament’s shirt
- ✓Credited in that event’s recap and photo pack
- ✓Name and link on lucasyao.com/sponsors, on that event’s line
- ✓Support rolls forward to the next shirt if plans change
Sleeve Partner
per season
The playing sleeve — on the arm that moves the pieces, in nearly every over-the-board photograph, at every tournament this season. This is the level that keeps Lucas in the arena.
- ✓Logo on the playing sleeve of every tournament shirt this season
- ✓Brand or name on lucasyao.com/sponsors with a backlink
- ✓LinkedIn welcome announcement tagging your company page
- ✓Credited in every event recap and approved media
- ✓Year-in-review report with photos and results
- ✓Formal certificate of sponsorship
Title Partner
per season
The front chest — the largest mark, front and centre, on every shirt this season. Align your organisation with a Canadian rising star at the very beginning of an international career.
- ✓The front-chest mark on every tournament shirt this season — exclusive
- ✓Featured placement on the lucasyao.com homepage
- ✓Logo in all press kit and media materials
- ✓LinkedIn welcome announcement and ongoing tournament mentions
- ✓Optional co-branded tournament content
- ✓Quarterly photo and video updates
- ✓Personal thank-you video from Lucas
- ✓Formal certificate of partnership
Want to discuss a custom sponsorship arrangement? Email us directly — we respond within 2 business days.
House rules for every mark
- —Four marks on the shirt, never more: front chest, playing sleeve, upper back, and one small crest that carries typeset names.
- —One-colour vector logos — ebony or champagne on ivory — at least 25 mm wide, so they read across a tournament hall.
- —Every mark is approved by the family before it is printed. Lucas is never a spokesperson: no quotes, testimonials, or use of his likeness in a sponsor’s own advertising.
- —Not accepted: betting, alcohol, tobacco or vaping, cannabis, crypto trading, supplements, political, or adult brands — in line with FIDE’s own dress-code rules.
- —If a tournament changes, your support rolls forward to the next shirt. There are no cash refunds, and nothing is tied to a result.
- —Sponsorship is a business arrangement, not a charitable donation, so no tax receipt is issued. You receive a formal confirmation from Zealous Digital Solutions.
01
International tournament travel and accommodation — flights, hotels, and ground transport across Europe, Asia, and North America.
02
Tournament entry fees — FIDE-rated events have per-event costs that compound across a full competitive season.
03
Coaching and preparation — opening research, training camps, and game analysis with experienced coaches.
04
Chess tools and training materials — databases, software, and books that underpin serious preparation.
05
Music study and performance — piano tuition and performance costs that run in parallel with chess.
06
Media materials — photography, video, and the assets that help organisers and supporters understand the story.
Add your details once. Fixed sponsor levels continue directly to Airwallex checkout after submission; public and custom support can be sent by Interac e-Transfer to info@lucasyao.com.
Zealous Digital Solutions is disclosed here because Lucas is a minor and cannot accept card payments directly. Zealous is Frank Yao's business and parent-company payment platform for this arrangement.
Payment options
Card: submit the form and continue to Airwallex for the selected fixed level.
Interac e-Transfer: send to info@lucasyao.com and include your name in the memo.
Recognition is handled carefully and always approved by the family. The aim is a respectful fit: real support for Lucas, and a clear, authentic community story for the sponsor.
Your mark on the tournament shirt Lucas wears at the board — printed, photographed, and shown on the season ledger above.
Named or branded recognition on a dedicated sponsors section of lucasyao.com.
LinkedIn welcome announcement tagging your company page when you join at Sleeve Partner level or above.
Optional logo in press kit and family-approved media materials.
Thank-you mentions in social and tournament updates, when appropriate.
A genuine story for education, youth, arts, chess, or strategic-thinking brands.
Quarterly or annual content recaps with photos and event highlights.
Also available
Chess coaching from Lucas
Learn from a FIDE Master who earned his title at 11. Sessions $40 CAD per hour — online or in-person in Vancouver.
Sponsor contact
info@lucasyao.com