Kasparov to Appear at All-Girls Nationals
April 11, 2013
GK200.jpg(Chicago, IL) Garry Kasparov, the greatest chess legend of our time and, to many, the greatest player ever, will appear at the 2013 Kasparov Chess Foundation All-Girls National Championships held in Chicago, April 26- 28. The appearance is in conjunction with the Kasparov Chess Foundation, Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation (RKCF), and the United States Chess Federation (USCF). Kasparov said, "All-Girls National Championships is the apex of scholastic chess competitions in the United States for girls under 20 years of age and I'm excited to have an opportunity to give encouragement to the hundreds of young ladies participating."

The former World Champion was ranked #1 in the world for 20 years straight. Kasparov is now the chairman of the Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF), a nonprofit that promotes chess in education throughout the U.S. "The Kasparov Chess Foundation is the preeminent non-profit organization promoting scholastic chess. I believe that our continuous cooperation with the USCF through scholastic events and our partnership with RKCF to provide in-school chess education program to Chicago schools, will reach as many students as possible." Kasparov is a Wall Street Journal columnist, where he writes about chess and Russian politics." Kasparov is also the author of numerous books including the acclaimed series, My Great Predecessors.

The All-Girls National Championships is an annual competition, for girls only, that was started in Chicago 10 years ago. The first place winner in each section qualifies to represent the United States at the 2013 FIDE World Youth Championships.  Last year's All-Girls National Championships, also held in Chicago, was the largest girls' only tournament in history with 238 participants.  David Heiser, President of the Chicago based Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, thinks that Kasparov's appearance may result in a new record. "I am beyond excited that Kasparov, a living chess legend and one of the most inspiring figures of our times, will be at the All-Girls National Championships."

All girls under the age of 20 are welcome to come out and play and meet the legend. More details on the tournament and how to register can be found at www.rknights.org/all-girls.

Find out more about the Kasparov Chess Foundation on their website, or contact Richard Krueger at [email protected]. Find more about Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation on their website, or contact David Heiser at [email protected].