Front Page

National News:
Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation Formed

World News:
Anand Runs Away with Amber Title

Retired Kasparov still tops FIDE List

Chess In the Media: Chess Stories Across the USA and Around the World

Index to Newsletters

National News

Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation Formed

Thanks to Russell Miller for bringing this to our attention. The following information comes from the front page of the OSCF's website, which can be reached at www.oscf.org.

The officers of the Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation (OSCF) announce the formation of a state scholastic chess organization designed to meet some key needs of all school-aged players in Oregon. The mission of OSCF is to promote, support, sponsor and coordinate scholastic chess activities in Oregon. OSCF is a non-profit organization founded in March 2005, by elementary, middle school and high school chess coaches, advisors, and parents.

To accomplish its mission, OSCF will:

• Maintain a statewide ratings system accessible to all scholastic players, with no membership fee.
• Sponsor and encourage new tournaments throughout the entire state of Oregon leading up to an annual state championship. The first championship tournament is scheduled April 1, 2006.
• Assist schools or community organizations in starting and operating chess clubs.
• Establish uniform guidelines for holding high quality scholastic chess tournaments.

OSCF's primary method for communicating to interested scholastic players and their coaches and advisors will be through our website, www.oscf.org

Carl Haessler, Life Chess Master and scholastic chess coach for more than 20 years, grew up playing chess in Oregon, "Through playing chess, youth gain confidence, develop life-long problem solving skills, and make friendships that last a lifetime. I support the efforts of these volunteer coaches and parents. When I look at the depth and experience of this group, I can see they have what it takes to be successful. Combined, they have organized dozens of USCF rated scholastic tournaments with over 1000 participants." He continued by observing, "OSCF will provide a forum where kids of all ages and playing strengths will be able to measure themselves, not by comparing themselves to others, but by evaluating their individual progress."

"Thousands of students throughout Oregon schools and home school programs participate in chess clubs and programs each year," said Sudhakar Kudva, OSCF President, from Beaverton, OR.

"We want to provide these students with high quality chess tournaments at all levels of play, " added Kate Taylor, OSCF Vice President from Clatskanie, Oregon. "Chess is an exercise for your mind that stimulates critical thinking along with competition and sportsmanship."

Other chess club advisors, including Kathy Ward, at Henley Elementary School in Klamath Falls, Oregon, believe "this is just the type of organization that Oregon needs for its growing chess community - a community that includes students from throughout all regions of Oregon."