(CROSSVILLE, TN)For the first time in its history, the U. S. Chess Federation (USCF) will hold their annual National High School Chess Championship in Wisconsin! The event is April 21-23, 2006 at Milwaukee’s Midwest Airlines Center, corner of 4th and Wisconsin.

So far, 1346 chess enthusiasts representing 35 states (including 285 from Wisconsin!) have entered the 38th annual event. We expect to exceed 1500 competitors! The opening ceremony featuring the Green Lake High School band begins at 12:30 pm Friday, April 21 with the tournament beginning at 1:00 pm. On Thursday, April 20th, the National High School Bughouse Championship will be played starting at 11 am then at 5pm the National High School Blitz Championship will start. These two events are unique in that each side receives 5 minutes per game!

On Saturday, April 22, another interesting event will begin at 10:30 am – Parents & Friends Tournament. This enables onlookers to join in the chess fun and yes, win prizes!

Not only does the National High School Championship draw chess competitors but it attracts celebrities as well. On Saturday at 12:30 pm in Room 103D, you can – “Meet Joe Block, the “Chess Guy” from the television show, “Beauty and the Geek©.” After Joe shares some of this television experiences he will take on some chess challengers by playing a few Blitz games.

MyChessPhotos.com, official photographer for this event, is offering a $250 scholarship to the player with the greatest upset!

The weekend wraps up with a grand award’s ceremony at 7 pm Sunday, April 23.

Additional details and advanced entrants can be viewed at: http://www.uschess.org/tournaments/2006/hs/. Additional local information may be obtained from Arlen Walker, Milwaukee Chess Foundation President at 414-358-3052.

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The United States Chess Federation (USCF), 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 over 80,000 members. For additional information on the USCF see: http://www.uschess.org.