Exciting New Format Debuts at the 2010 U.S. Championship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
Mike Wilmering
mwilmering@saintlouischessclub.org
www.saintlouischessclub.org

EXCITING NEW FORMAT DEBUTS AT THE 2010 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP

SAINT LOUIS, January 28, 2010 — The 2010 U.S. Championship, scheduled to be held May 13-26 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, will feature a new format, which includes a 24-player, seven-round Swiss tournament followed by a four-player Championship final. The idea is designed to ensure drama in the final three days of play and to avoid the potentially less climactic pairings that are typical in a 24-player, nine-round Swiss. This innovative new format will ensure an exciting finale for chess fans around the world. After seven rounds of play, the top four players will face off in a round robin (also known as a quad). The scores from the Swiss tournament will carry over into the final.

Players who do not make it into the top four places after seven rounds will play two more rounds of the Swiss event. They will also have much to play for as fifth place will be awarded $10,000 and the total prize fund of the “Challenger’s Swiss” will exceed $90,000.

“By structuring this year’s event with both a preliminary Swiss and climactic final, we hope to host a U.S. Championship that fans will never forget and that will help advance the cause of chess as telegenic and thrilling,” said Tony Rich, executive director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. “Come out to Saint Louis for a long weekend during the finals to see for yourself!”

Tournament Chairperson WGM Jennifer Shahade will provide live commentary of the tournament alongside a Grandmaster commentator soon to be announced.

This year’s prize fund is being increased from $135,000 to more than $170,000 with a grand prize of $35,000, a minimum of $3,000 for last place and more funds going to second place in particular ($20,000 as compared to $15,000 in 2009). The prize fund is differentiated at every single place with the exception of the fourth- and fifth-place finishers, who will both receive $10,000.

“We are proud to present the largest per capita prize fund in U.S. Championship history,” Rich said.

In the event that there is no clear U.S. Champion after the quad finals, there will be a championship playoff. The U.S. Champion will receive $5,000 more than other players tied for first prior to the playoff, but other tied players throughout the tournament will share monies equally. If after seven rounds, there are ties for the four places into the final round-robin quad, then there will be a concise fourth-place playoff on May 21, the scheduled rest day.

“Rules to break possible ties (and multiple ties) for fourth and first will be fully outlined,” said U.S. Championship Rules Advisor Greg Shahade.

They will appear in the players contracts and on the CCSCSL Web site closer to the tournament start.

The 24 invited players will include:

• defending U.S. Chess Champion, GM Hikaru Nakamura;
• winner of the 2009 U.S. Senior Open Championship, GM Larry Christiansen;
• winner of the 2009 U.S. Junior Championship, GM Ray Robson;
• winner of the 2009 U.S. Women’s Championship, IM Anna Zatonskih;
• the top five qualifiers from the 2009 U.S. Open Championship: GM-elect Alex Lenderman, GM Sergey Kudrin, GM Alex Yermolinsky, GM Dmitri Gurevich and GM Jesse Kraai;
• winner of the 2010 ICC State Champion of Champions (to be determined);
• the top 10 U.S. players by rating of the United States Chess Federation’s February supplement (to be determined);
• four wild card spots (to be determined).

Stay tuned to the Web site of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis for more details on the prize fund breakdown, schedule and participants.

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The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that opened in July 2008. It has more than 500 members. The club offers free classes, discounted tournament entry fees and discounted merchandise for club members.

The United States Chess Federation is the official, not-for-profit U.S. membership organization for chess players and chess supporters of all ages and strengths, from beginners to grand masters. Founded in 1939 with the merger of the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation, USCF has grown to more than 80,000 members and nearly 1,200 affiliated chess clubs and organizations. USCF sanctions 25 national championship award titles to both amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens. For more information, visit www.uschess.org.

Just Get Your Game On! (Chess and Basketball)

Article by WIM Beatriz Marinello & Dora Leticia

When I first saw this amazing video (check out the new NBA promo video in sidebar), I immediately remembered, a program at the Yonkers Housing Authority in New York State called “Smart Basketball”.

The young players were required to play chess prior to starting their basketball practice.

This program was instituted by Mr. Peter Smith, Executive Director of the YHA at the time.

So, how is basketball like a game of chess?

In James Case’s book, Competition – The Birth of a New Science, this question is asked:

“What do chess-playing, computer programs, biological evolution, competitive sports, gambling, alternative voting systems, public auctions, corporate globalization, and class warfare have in common?

The answer inevitably comes…

“All are manifestations of a new paradigm in scientific thinking, which James Case calls “the emerging science of competition.”

“…Case explores the common game-theoretic strands that tie these seemingly unrelated fields together, showing how each can be better understood in the shared light of the others.”

Another, recently published book, Spark! by Dr. John Ratey says:

“…excercise provides an unparelled stimulus creating an environment in which the brain is ready, willing and able to learn.”

“…physical exercise unleashes certain chemicals in the bloodstream, which leads to direct, positive changes in the brain. One of these chemicals is the protein called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), known for the impact it has on brain development.”

In other words, exercise makes us smarter…

So, what do you think?

If this is the case, shouldn’t chess be played after a strenuous game of basketball to improve your game, or, should you play chess before basketball to improve your slam dunk abilities?

I say, Peter Smith had it right, stretch the chess muscles, so in the case that you lose, perhaps letting off a little steam with a game of ball will cool you off.

JUST GET YOUR GAME ON!

2009 U.S. Championships: Fischer Memorial Prize

Fischer Memorial Prize, Jackpot Bonus Added for 2009 U.S. Championships to be Held in St. Louis

By Mark Bretz
February 19, 2009

For more information contact:

Mark Bretz, Slay & Associates

314-838-9371 or mbretz@slayandassociates.com

For Immediate Release:

FISCHER MEMORIAL PRIZE, JACKPOT BONUS ADDED TO PRIZES

FOR 2009 U.S. CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP BEING HELD IN ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS, February 19, 2009 — A $64,000 bonus in memory of late chess champion Bobby Fischer and a jackpot bonus for a “clear” first-place winner have been added to the prizes being awarded at the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship. The tournament, which will be held May 7-17, 2009 at the new Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, will offer a purse of more than $130,000 in prize money.

Any player who scores a 9-0 sweep will be awarded the Fischer Memorial Prize, a $64,000 bonus in addition to the first-place award. The prize is in remembrance of the late American world champion Bobby Fischer, who died in 2008 at age 64. Fischer scored an 11-0 victory in the 1963-64 U.S. championship, the only perfect score in the event’s history.

Additionally, a jackpot bonus of $5,000 will be awarded to the first-place winner. If there is a tie for first, the jackpot will be awarded in a playoff for the title of U.S. champion, to be contested on May 17, after the final round and before the closing ceremony. Up to four players will contest a series of one-game rapid matches designed to guarantee a decisive result (”draw odds games”).

Two dozen of the nation’s best players will be invited to participate in the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship. The 24 players include:

* the top 12 American players by rating, using the April rating supplement;
* the top two female players by rating, using the April rating supplement;
* the 2008 U.S. Junior Closed Champion;
* the 2008 U.S. Open Champion;
* the 2009 U.S. State Champion of Champions;
* the 2008 defending U.S. Chess Champion;
* a total of six wild card spots, to be determined later.

The winner will receive $35,000, with additional cash prizes awarded to all participants, including $2,000 to the last-place entrant. Cash prizes will be divided equally among tied competitors. Additionally, top youths from throughout America will be invited to compete. Spectators will be welcome at the event.

The championship will be a 9-round event, using the Swiss system with one round per day and a rest day on Friday, May 15 between rounds 7 and 8. Time controls will be the classical 40 moves in two hours, with one hour allowed for all remaining moves. There also will be a five-second “increment” added to each player’s clock after every move. Guest commentary will be provided by two world-class Grandmasters throughout the event.

“We are excited to be able to provide these extra bonuses to the top-tier contestants who will be participating at the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship,” said Tony Rich, executive director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. “It is fitting to honor the fiercely competitive late chess legend Bobby Fischer in such an environment.”

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that opened in July 2008. Founded by retired investment fund manager Rex Sinquefield, it already has nearly 500 members, surpassing its original goal of 300 for its first year of operation by 67 percent. The club, which Steve Goldberg of United States Chess Federation (USCF) Online calls “certainly one of the most impressive chess centers” in the country, offers free classes for beginners, discounted tournament entry fees and discounted merchandise for club members. For more information, please visit www.saintlouischessclub.org or call 314-361-CHESS.

The United States Chess Federation is the official, not-for-profit U.S. membership organization for chess players and chess supporters of all ages and strengths, from beginners to grand masters. Founded in 1939 with the merger of the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation, USCF has grown to more than 80,000 members and nearly 1,200 affiliated chess clubs and organizations. USCF sanctions 25 national championship award titles to both amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens. For more information, visit www.uschess.org.

Alexandra Kosteniuk Interview by WIM Beatriz Marinello

Note: Interview written for the U.S. Chess Trust by Beatriz Marinello

Grandmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk: Woman World Champion, Mother and Wife…Aspiring Fashion Model and a Role Model for our chess community.

Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk lives part of the year in Miami, USA and is planning to help promote chess in the USA in a positive way. I would like to thank her for allowing me to interview her.

I would also like to take this opportunity to announce a U.S. Chess Trust Fund raising Event in New York City with Alexandra Kosteniuk! As many of you may know, I am also the web editor for the U.S. Chess Trust’s website and am working closely with the Trust as I organize this fantastic fund-raising event.

Alexandra has been very generous to offer to donate her time to the U.S. Chess Trust by giving a 20-Board Simultaneous Exhibition. This event will be held in NYC on March 21, 2009 at the British International School of New York. This Invitational Event will exclusively benefit the U.S. Chess Trust.  The U.S. Chess Trust is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization devoted to supporting the educational, cultural, and recreational value of the game of chess. 

You can check the U.S. Chess Trust’s website at www.USChessTrust.org or stay tuned for more details!

An Interview with Alexandra Kosteniuk by WIM Beatriz Marinello

BEATRIZ: Hello Alexandra, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to do this interview with you! You were crowned the 12th Women’s World Champion in chess history a little over four months ago. How does it feel to achieve such an accomplishment? This is chess history in the making, one that comes with a lot of responsibility. How has this affected your outlook? Do you feel a need to give back to the community and live up to a certain legacy, so to speak?

ALEXANDRA: Victory in the World Championship made me very happy and I felt so proud. It was definitely the happiest moment in my chess career. But, at the same time I had a hard time realizing that I had become the World Champion and entered all chess history books. But then little by little it sank in and I understood that life needs to go on. Even though it was the goal of my life, I needed to find more goals and more motivation for the game I love so much. I now feel very strongly that I have to do much more to promote and popularize chess in the world and attract both the media and as many kids as possible to our wonderful game.

BEATRIZ: Considering that you already achieved the World Championship title, how do you re-focus your goals as a chess player and in which direction do you see yourself going? Have you had an opportunity to reflect and determine which course to take next?

ALEXANDRA: After winning the World Championship I had a very tough schedule, I was playing non-stop almost all of the second part of 2008 and only now, after settling down in Miami, I have some time to rest and to think about my plans and goals for the future. I still enjoy playing in tournaments and, especially, studying chess with my coaches, since there is no limit to progress in chess and I love the constant search of perfection that chess allows. I’ll also definitely try to do a lot of promotional events for chess, such as giving lectures, simuls, interviews and also promote chess as an educator. I also want to spend more time with my family and especially with my daughter, since I was away from her for quite a long time while I was preparing and playing in the World Championship and being so far away from her, I missed her very much.

BEATRIZ: What are your thoughts about the future of women in chess? How do you feel we could attract more girls to the game?

ALEXANDRA: More and more girls are starting to play chess. I think in the last decade we’ve seen a constant increase in the number of girls playing chess. That’s why it’s important to speak not only about men Grandmasters and Male Champions but also about women who play chess successfully. Girls who are just starting to play chess have to have female role models they can relate to in order to see that they might also one day become a champion.

BEATRIZ: As you gain a broader audience and fan club, do you feel that being a fashion model, in a sense breaks the misconception that beauty and brains aren’t always the norm? Do you think this message has a positive impact in promoting chess to a much broader audience?

ALEXANDRA: Chess is a very ancient game and I believe it deserves much more attention than it has right now. Unfortunately, the modern world is more interested in nice-looking faces than in intellectual values. Role-models of today’s kids are mostly TV and movie stars, they follow their lives and try to look like them. Chess has now, unfairly in my opinion, a rather dull image that makes it hard to attract media and spectators and therefore sponsors. That’s why I feel I have to try to find ways to show the world that chess is a very cool game, it’s very useful for kids and what’s more if girls will play chess they will still be normal girls and at the same time they will have better chances to succeed in life.

BEATRIZ: You started playing chess at the age of 5. Tell us about your experience as a young chess player. Are there any specific events that led up to your passion for chess?

ALEXANDRA: My father was a hero to me. I valued his words very much and when he said that he would teach me how to play chess I was very excited and happy to start studying chess with him. After a while my father’s passion passed on to me and from that moment I started to study chess even more assiduously and with true passion.

BEATRIZ: Your father was an army officer who gave up his career to support you as a young chess player. Now, that you are a mother yourself what are your thoughts about parenting young, gifted and talented children?

ALEXANDRA: Actually, now I understand what a tremendous job my parents have done in order to educate their two daugthers. Now, being a mom, of course, I think all the time about my daughter’s education and I hope that she will be a happy child. I believe that every child is talented and the most important thing is to help these talents to develop. Childhood years, in my opinion, are the most important ones in life so I’ll try to do my best in educating my daughter. It’s quite a difficult task and I look forward to giving it all my heart.

BEATRIZ: How has motherhood affected you’re training? Are you still able to maintain the five hours per day training?

ALEXANDRA: I was very fortunate when my husband and my mom agreed to support me fully when I told them I wanted to try to prepare and play in the Women’s World Championship, last year in Nalchik, when my baby was not even 1 year old. Having a baby changes everything and it was very difficult for me to get back into shape and to start again after a break of close to a year. Now I’m very happy that all my efforts paid off. I still train now, but on a different schedule.

BEATRIZ: What do you feel are the positives and negatives as you work your life around a passion for chess, family, and a sometimes hectic schedule. Has traveling been more difficult considering the changes in your life? Is your family a part of your travel schedule?

ALEXANDRA: When you have a baby traveling is much harder. So now we try to travel not as often as we used to. I’m not so flexible as I was before and am planning all my future tournaments and events more carefully in order not to be far from my baby for too long. I prefer to take my baby with me to regular tournaments or to most events but of course she stays with my husband or my mom if I go to very important tournaments such the World Championship.

BEATRIZ: GM Xu Yuhua of China became the Women’s World Champion while she was four months pregnant, and you became a Women’s World Champion with a young child. It has become increasingly apparent that women can have it all – including a successful career in chess. You are a great example of this. Do you feel that biologically speaking , given that chess is a very competitive sport, men have an advantage over women?

ALEXANDRA: Technically, I believe men and women’s minds are equal. It’s men’s physical additional strength that gives them an edge in long games. In speed games the difference is less, as I have shown, by beating many male Grandmasters at Blitz. Also, chess requires a lot of studying, and men have an easier time to devote all their time to studying chess, without thinking of anything else, while women have many more responsibilities, such as taking care of the home and founding a family. I read recently a study, in which it was argued that the relatively lower results by women were due principally to the many fewer girls who start to play chess. If we had an equal number of boys and girls who started to play chess and continued til’ their 20’s, the difference in levels at the top would be almost insignificant.

BEATRIZ: What are your goals for the future? Are your planning to spend more time in the United States? Any plans to write more books?

ALEXANDRA: My first goal, is to give back to chess all that I can since it is chess that has given me all that I have. I will promote chess all over the world, and I will do so both on the web with my upcoming online academy, with my DVD’s, and personally in my chess academy. I am on the way to becoming a permanent U.S. Resident and plan to make Miami my home. I feel Florida is the best place for my daughter to grow up and for me to have my base.

BEATRIZ: In Russia chess is being taught as part of the school curriculum. I personally believe that the future of chess lies in integrating chess as part of our culture, the best way to approach this is through chess in the schools. What are your comments and thoughts about chess in the schools? Do you plan on teaching your own children at an early age?

ALEXANDRA: You are absolutely right, chess in schools is the best way to go. The educational value of chess is totally clear, it helps kids succeed in life. I will definitely teach my daughter to play chess, she’s not even two yet, and she knows what pawns are, as well as knights, chess pieces are pretty much her favorite toys, she sees her mom playing with them all day, so it must be really fun! I’m looking forward to when she’s 3 or 4 so I can start showing her the beauty of our wonderful game.

BEATRIZ: That is wonderful. It is great to see such a well-rounded, intelligent young woman with such a postive outlook, such a passion for chess and a desire to promote and do positive things with the game we all love!

Well, Alexandra, let’s wrap this interview up. It has been a great pleasure talking with you. Thank you for taking the time. We look forward to seeing much more of you and wish you and your family the very best.

For more information about World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk – Please visit Alexandra’s website.

• Website: www.Kosteniuk.com
  
• Her podcast: www.ChessisCool.com
  
• Video podcast at www.ChessKillerTips.com
• You can also find more on her YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/chessqueen

Don’t forget to check the U.S. Chess Trust’s website for more information on the U.S. Chess Trust’s Fundraising Event with Alexandra Kosteniuk!

About the U.S. Chess Trust

The U.S. Chess Trust is an independent 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.

Created in 1967, the Trust was organized to promote, stimulate and encourage the study and play of the game of chess as a means of intellectual development. The Trust uses its resources for charitable purposes, including social, educational, scientific, historical endeavors. Our Trustees act without compensation, and are dedicated to the U.S. Chess Trust’s mission.

The U.S. Chess Trust’s focus is an outgrowth of similar activities formerly carried out by the U.S. Chess Federation . We promote and support chess in the community through our programs, and by providing resources that help support our mission.

In addition, we also actively support charities conducted by the USCF and other chess organizations.

To learn more about how we are helping make a difference in the chess community, please visit our Programs/Resources section.

It is no wonder, that more and more scientific studies have confirmed that children who are taught chess, in addition to their regular courses, do better in school. Studies report that chess helps develop valuable reading and decision-making skills, and improves students’ ability to concentrate.

These are only a few reasons why the U.S. Chess Trust takes an active role in supporting chess education programs across the nation. And your donations help make that possible!

Visit their website at www.USChessTrust.org.

Marriott Hotel Deadline Extended to Nov. 1st.

Deadline for Marriott Hotel at Boca Center Extended to November 1, 2008 !

2008 Pan American – Continental Championship (Boca Raton, Florida, USA)

Hotel registrations for all players should be made directly with the Hotel. CLICK HERE to MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATION !

Reservations must be made directly with the hotel by November 1, 2008. Room rate $120 per night. Rooms are for up to four people, but only with double beds.

The Marriott at Boca Raton is in an excellent location near Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, FL. Traveling to Europe from Miami is also convenient and should be taken into consideration.

Make Checks Payable to: Checks must be payable to Chess Educators, LLC and mailed to P.O. Box 160 New York, NY 10028.

On-line Registration & Payment: On line registration and payment is available at ChessEducators.com.

Deadline for Registration:

Registration Fee: $175.00 by Sept. 30, 2008, after Sept. 30, 2008 Registration Fee is $200.00.

TITLES and PRIZES!!!!!!!

TITLES:

The GM, IM, WGM, WIM titles norms can be earned in internationally rated tournaments played according to FIDE regulations. Continental Championship’s regulations apply for this event.

PRIZES:

• 1st Place 4,000.00
• 2nd Place 3,000.00
• 3rd Place 2,000.00
• 4th Place 1,500.00
• 5th Place 1,000.00
• 6th Place 900.00
• 7th Place 800.00
• 8th Place 700.00
• 9th Place 600.00
• 10th Place 500.00
• 11th Place 200.00
• 12th Place 200.00
• 13th Place 200.00
• 14th Place 200.00
• 15th Place 200.00

Top player 18 years old or younger (age at the time of registration in the tournament) $300; Top women player $300; Top player over 50 years old or older (age at the time of registration in the tournament) $300. No player can win more than one monetary prize, in the event that a player has the option to win two prizes, she or he will have to choose only one prize.

For more information please contact Beatriz Marinello at Beatchess@aol.com and/or Beatriz@chesseducators.com

We are looking forward to seeing you at this exciting event !

Yours for Chess,

Beatriz Marinello
Tournament Organizer

Click Here to Download the Tournament Invitation - 2008 Pan American Continental Championship Invitation

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