(CROSSVILLE, TN)

The United States Chess Federation, better known as the USCF, now headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee, has completed a seven-month nation-wide search for a new Executive Director. Out of a field of several applicants, five were invited to the initial interviews in March in Berkeley, California. The field was narrowed to two finalists. Final interviews were conducted in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 21st and 22nd, where the Executive Board selected Bill Hall as the new Executive Director.

Hall is a former Tennessee state scholastic chess champion and has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is an avid believer in the value of chess in schools, both as an after school activity and as a part of the mathematics cirriculum. He is committed to providing quality service to the membership including the expansion of web-related services and a focus on the general promotion of chess.

Hall says, "Coming from a rural Tennessee community, chess was a major factor preparing me and allowing me the opportunity to attend a school like MIT. Chess has tremendous value in personal, cognitive, and social development. I want to expose as many people as possible to the benefits and fun of chess." Bill Hall can be reached at: (931) 787-1234, ext. 189 or by email at: bhall@uschess.org

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The United States Chess Federation, founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is now headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee. USCF 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 83,000 members. For additional on the USCF see: http://www.uschess.org.