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Former Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum Heads Chess for Peace Initiative

Movses Movsisyan of Norman, Oklahoma Wins Master Section of 2005 U.S. Class Chess Championships

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National News

Former Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum Heads Chess for Peace Initiative

This press release originally appeared on the USCF website.

Chess is often used as a metaphor for politics. On October 29, 2005, the two will come together in the small town of Lindsborg, Kansas, population 3,200. None other than President Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, along with a host of other political and chess dignitaries, will kick off the yearlong Chess for Peace initiative. The day’s events will feature a chess parade, a scholastic chess tournament, a match between former World Chess Champions Susan Polgar and Anatoly Karpov, a formal dinner, and a keynote address that evening by President Gorbachev at Presser Hall on the Bethany College campus.

Former Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum, as chairperson, is overseeing the National Advisory Committee for the Chess for Peace initiative. The committee also includes former government officials Kansas Governor John Carlin , Kansas Senator Sheila Frahm, and Kansas Congressman Dick Nichols. Also on the Advisory Committee, are former World Chess Champions Anatoly Karpov and Susan Polgar and U.S. Chess Federation Vice President Don Schultz.

Gorbachev, a friend of World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov, agreed to come to Lindsborg after receiving a call from Karpov. Gorbachev had only two conditions: (1) Karpov would accompany him to Lindsborg and (2) Karpov would play a game of chess with him.

“I think it’s wonderful that Gorbachev is coming to Lindsborg, because he is a humanitarian and is committed to peace,” said Dr. Mikhail Korenman, Director of the Karpov International School of Chess.

The yearlong Chess for Peace initiative will commence on October 29, and will be followed by a series of Internet matches between students from countries throughout the world. The winners of these matches will be invited to participate in the week long Chess for Peace Festival, which will be held in Lindsborg in June 2006. Students will play chess and share their respective cultures with other participants.

Prime seats for the Gorbachev address are $53.50 and general admission is $27. Tickets for the Karpov Polgar match are $10.50 for adults and $5.50 for students. All ticket prices include tax. Additional information and tickets can be obtained from the Karpov International School of Chess, 106 S. Main, Lindsborg, KS 67456, phone 785-227-2224, Web site http://www.chessforpeace.org or e-mail Korenman@chessforpeace.org. You can also contact Wes Fisk at (785) 227-4121.

Movses Movsisyan of Norman, Oklahoma Wins Master Section of 2005 U.S. Class Chess Championships

This press release originally appeared on the USCF website.

The 24th Annual U.S. Chess Championships held at the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center in Chesterfield, MO, August 26-28 drew 151 players. 22 states were represented and one player came from Japan to participate!

The 2005 U.S. Class is a United States Chess Federation National Event which offered 30 Grand Prix points. The guaranteed prize fund is $10,000.00. The event offered 8 sections: Master (2200/up) $1000-500-300, Expert (2000-2199) $800-400-200, Class A (1800-1999) $800-400-200, Class B (1600-1799) $800-400-200, Class C (1400-1599) $800-400-200, Class D (1200-1399) $800-400-200, Class E (Under 1200) $300-200-100, and Unrated $300-200-100. A complete listing of all players and scores can be found on the US Chess Federation website at: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?200508282411.

Section champions:
Master: Movses Movsisyan from Norman, Oklahoma scored 4.0 points.
Expert: Sylvester Smarty of Broadview Hgts., Ohio and Jeremy M. Volkmann of St. Charles, Missouri tied with 4.0 points.
Class A: Joshua Dubin of Buffalo Grove, Illinois finished with 4.5 points.
Class B: Daniel M. Mc Nally from Niles, Illinois took first with 4.5 points.
Class C: Brad A. Schlosser of Chesterfield, Missouri scored 4.5 points.
Class D: John R. Boyer of Arnold, Missouri and Taylor Bailey of Portland, Oregon tied with 4.5 points.
Class E: Michael W. Nelson from Glen Carbon, Illinois finished with 4.5 points.
Unrated: Carlos Ortiz of O’Fallon, Missouri and Vairam Arunachalam of Columbia, Missouri tied with 4.0 points.

USCF offers a huge thank you to all players and to Chief Tournament Director Walter M. Brown, Jr. and Assistant Tournament Director Grant Perks for running this event.

Chess Merchandise Clearance Sale

Although USCF Sales has moved to Connecticut, USCF's warehouse clearance inventory formerly located at 3054 US Rt 9W, New Windsor, NY has recently relocated the inventory to USCF headquarters in Crossville, TN. The variety of chess sets, boards, books, apparel, videos, computers and software in our warehouse clearance inventory if being offered at greatly reduced prices. The minimum purchase is $50.00 Most of this merchandise is for sale at cost. For purchase of a large quantity of any one item...please contact Joan DuBois for special pricing.

Click on this link for the latest list of available items, as of September 2: Inventory List. All orders will be subject to an additional charge for actual UPS/Post Office shipping cost, or you can avoid the shipping charge by arranging to pick up your merchandise. Orders are on a first come, first served basis, and there is no guarantee that a product listed is still available. All sales are final.

For further information or to place an order, contact Joan DuBois at jdubois@uschess.org, fax her at (931) 787-1200, or call (931) 787-1234, ext 123 and leave a message if she is not available. If you have arranged with Joan in advance to pick up your order the location of the US Chess office in Crossville, TN is: 65 East Street (3rd floor).