(CROSSVILLE, TN)The Scholar-Chessplayer Outstanding Achievement Awards for 2006 were announced April 21st at the National High School Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These scholarships are given to high school juniors and seniors who excel in academics, chess, and leadership. First place will receive $2,000, second place will receive $1,000, third place will receive $700, fourth place will receive $500, fifth place will receive $400, and sixth and seventh places will each receive $200. Scholarships are awarded upon matriculation at a high institution. These annual awards are given by the U.S. Chess Federation and the U.S. Chess Trust and are intended to encourage high school students who promote a positive image of chess. Congratulations to the winners and a special thank you to the twenty-nine students who applied.

In order of finish the 2006 Scholar-Chessplayers are:
Oleg Zaikov-(OR)$2,000
Alexander King-(TN)$1,000
Ankur Bakshi-(NJ)$700
Kevin Binz-(WA)$500
Peter Tu-(TX)$400
Thomas Gossell-(MO)$200
Adam Holmes-(NC)$200

To apply for the Scholar-Chessplayer Award, you must be a current U.S. Chess Federation member and submit five copies of a completed application form, high school transcript showing all courses and grades, a letter of recommendation from a teacher, a letter of recommendation from a chess coach, an essay of no more than 500 words describing the positive influence that chess has had on your life, and a recent photograph. The deadline for the next award, the 2007 Scholar Chessplayer Award, is March 1, 2007.

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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.