In Association with Chess Wizards, Chicago’s Adler Planetarium and USCF, Chess Championships to Take Place May 14 – 16, 2004

Chicago, IL, Feb. 10, 2004 -- Kasparov Chess Foundation, the non-profit chess educational organization founded by world chess champion Garry Kasparov, today announced the first annual, National All-Girls Chess Championships to be held in the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, May 15 and May 16, 2004.

Kasparov Chess Foundation is presenting the tournament in association with the United States Chess Federation (USCF), Chess Wizards and The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum in Chicago. Girls, ages 6 through 18 from public, private and home-schools are invited to participate.

Special guest, four time Women’s World Champion, Grandmaster Susan Polgar will present a simultaneous exhibition, lecture, book signing and awards ceremony.

Main Event

The main competition will be hosted at Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL. All participants, parents and two siblings will receive free admission to the Adler Planetarium. Trophies will be awarded to the top 15 individual players and top three teams in each section. Three or more players from the same school constitute a team (team scores will be calculated based on the top 3 scores to give teams their final standings).

Every player will receive a souvenir medal to honor their participation.

The tournament schedule follows:
Saturday, May 15: 9:30–11:30 AM; 12:00–2:00 PM; 3:00 – 5:00 PM; 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 16: 9:00–11:00 AM; 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Sunday, May 16 2:00 PM – closing ceremony, awards presentation

Side Events

In addition to the main competition, various chess exhibitions and side events will be taking place at The Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, Phone: 877-865-5321. The hotel is in close proximity to the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. A guaranteed Chess rate of $99 will be available through April 30th only.

Following is a schedule of side events:
Blitz EF ($10 if p/m by May 1, $20 on site),Friday, May 14 5:30 PM
Bughouse EF ($25 per team on site only), Friday, May 14 5:30 PM

Simultaneous exhibition:

Friday May 14, 6:30 PM: Featuring 4-time Women’s World Champion Susan Polgar.

Students are requested to bring clocks. Chess sets and score sheets will be provided.

Enter Your Child Now

The competition is now accepting entry applications for participants. Entry fee: $35 through May 1st, and $55 thereafter. All participants are required to be members of the US Chess Federation (USCF), http://www.uschess.org. Applicants can either register online by visiting http://www.chesswizards.com, or by mail. Make the checks payable to Chess Wizards:

Chess Wizards
207 Lawndale Street
Wilmette, IL 60091

For more information by phone, please call Chess Wizards at (847) 763-9556.

About Kasparov Chess Foundation

Founded by World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, KCF’s mission is to bring the many educational benefits of chess to children throughout the United States by providing a complete chess curriculum and enrichment programs. The Foundation promotes the study of chess as a cognitive learning tool in curricular classes and after-school programs for elementary, middle and high schools, both in the public and private school sectors. The not-for-profit educational organization also organizes tournaments and competitions on a local and national basis. For more information, please visit http://www.kasparovchessfoundation.org.

About Chess Wizards

Chess Wizards was founded in August 2003 when a group of dedicated and enthusiastic people decided to change the culture of Chess in Chicago. The adaptive Chess Wizards program is designed for all levels of young chess players and places an emphasis on the individual needs and progress of each student. Students learn much more than how to play one of the great intellectual games of the world, as the skills they learn playing chess will transfer to school and other social situations. For more information, or to register for the All Girls National Chess Championships, please visit http://www.chesswizards.com

About Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum

The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum was founded in 1930 as the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Its astronomy programs have reached over 40 million people during the past 73 years. Ten state-of-the-art exhibition galleries located in the glass-enclosed Sky Pavilion and the renovated landmark 1930s building present modern space exploration along with the history of astronomy. The StarRiderTheater featuring Digistar 3 is the most technologically advanced, audience-interactive planetarium, fueling the imagination of visitors during virtual flights through the cosmos. With a dedicated and professional staff, the Adler pursues its mission to present the human quest to better understand the Universe. Adler scientists and historians, who hold joint appointments at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, are working at the forefront of research in astronomy and its fascinating history. The Adler is partially supported by a CityArts Program 4 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. The Adler gratefully acknowledges the generous support it receives from the Chicago Park District on behalf of the citizens of Chicago.

About The USCF

The United States Chess Federation, founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. It promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, and as a means for the improvement of society. The USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization with more than 90,000 members. For more information, please see http://www.uschess.org

Contact: Kasparov Chess Foundation
Richard Krueger
rkrueger@nyc.rr.com
Phone:(212) 784-9273