Behind the Scenes

A special thanks to the U.S. Chess Federation, the U.S. Chess Trust, the Sidney Samole Chess Museum, and Excalibur for their generous support and contributions!

About the People and Organizations Behind the Scenes…

Chess Educators – Organizer , Founder: WIM Beatriz Marinello

Chess Educators was created to promote chess and education. The Founder, Beatriz Marinello was elected the U.S. Chess Federation’s (USCF) President in 2003, which is the first and only time a woman has ever served in that capacity.  She has established and runs numerous scholastic chess programs in New York City and has been involved in organizing National and International Chess Championships, Charity Events, and provides services for Non-Profit Organizations.

In an effort to continue the quest to promote chess and education – Chess Educators was created.

More About Chess Educators & Founder

U.S. Chess Federation – Co-Organizers

The United States Chess Federation (USCF) is the official, not-for-profit US membership organization for chess players and chess supporters of all ages and strengths, from beginners to Grandmasters.

The USCF represents the United States in the World Chess Federation (FIDE), linking US members to chess players around the world. Founded in 1939 with the merger of the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation to promote the, USCF has grown to over 80,000 members and 2,000+ affiliated chess clubs and organizations today.

Under the management of a professional staff headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee, USCF sanctions thousands of tournaments with over half a million officially rated games annually.

25 National Championships award titles to both amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens. Over fifty Grandmasters (one out of every eight GMs in the world) represent the US internationally, and USCF supports the participation of Americans in official FIDE championship events at all levels.  Click Here to visit the USCF’s website – www.uschess.org

Confederation of Chess for America (CCA) – Co-Organizers

The World Chess Federation “FIDE” divides the world in four continents, “CCA” is the Confederation of Chess for America, which is the organization delegated by FIDE to organize official FIDE events within the continent.  Click Here to visit the CCA website – www.FIDEAmerica.com

Beatriz Marinello- Tournament Organizer

Beatriz Marinello moved to the United States from her native Chile in 1990. She holds a WIM title (Woman International Master), and is currently # 12 in the United States Federation’s “Top 100 Women” (USA).

In 2003, Beatriz was elected to be the U.S. Chess Federation’s (USCF) President, which is the first and only time a woman has ever served in that capacity.

Beatriz is a United States Chess Federation (USCF) Scholastic Council Member, a member of the FIDE Verification Commission, and the General Secretary of FIDE Americas.

She has established and runs numerous scholastic chess programs in New York City.

She has been involved in organizing National and International Chess Championships, Charity Events, and provides services for Non-Profit Organizations.

She was also awarded the 2008 Chess Educator of the Year Award by the University of Texas Dallas.

Bill Snead - Chief Tournament Director

FIDE International Arbiter
USCF National Tournament Director

Bill Snead has directed many chess tournaments over the last 37 years.

This year he has been chief TD at the Senior Open in Boca Raton, the Elementary Championship in Pittsburgh, the National Open in Las Vegas, the U. S. Open in Dallas, and the SPICE Cup International in Lubbock. He was also a section chief at the Junior High Championship in Dallas.

Upcoming this year: The Pan Am Continental, two FIDE Invitationals at the University of Texas at Dallas, and the K-12 Championship in Orlando.

Jon Haskel – Broadcasting & Tournament Director

Jon Haskel is a U.S. Chess Federation National Tournament Director, a FIDE International Organizer, Director of the Boca Raton Chess Club, a U.S. Chess Federation Delegate, member of several U.S. Chess Federation committees, Parent Chess Coordinator for the Palm Beach County School District, and the past President and past Secretary of the Florida Chess Association.

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