(CROSSVILLE, TN)

A new national headquarters building is just about finished on O’Brien Drive in Crossville’s Industrial Park. It is the home of the United States Chess Federation (USCF), the first national organization to pick Crossville for its base. The staff moved in April 2006 and the ribbon-cutting ceremony, making it official, will take place Saturday, July 22. The staff of the USCF will welcome visitors July 22 between 1-4pm.

Why Crossville, Tennessee? It might surprise you to know that Tennessee is a hotbed of chess activity, ranking in the top 10 states in USCF memberships. And Crossville has had active chess clubs in schools and in the community since 1973. In 1982 and again in 1985, members of the Martin Junior High Chess Club won top honors in national scholastic tournaments. In addition, Cumberland County High School is tied with the Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville for most State High School Championships in Tennessee.

Three years ago, when the 67 year-old U.S. Chess Federation began a search for a new home, Crossville kept coming up as a prime candidate. Quite a change for the New York based organization that’s governed chess in America since 1939. But the USCF Board of Directors decided to relocate the national headquarters to Crossville.

It took the carefully planned and executed presentations of Beth Alexander, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, commitment and support from City Mayor J.H. Graham and his council, County Mayor Brock Hill and county officials, and the active support of Governor Phil Bredesen. Even U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis and former State Representative Raymond Walker joined the forces that worked to make Crossville home to the USCF.

With that much local dedication and activity for chess, it was no surprise that local attorney and County Commissioner Harry Sabine, a past Vice President of the Executive Board of USCF, began the push in June of 2003 that brought together the forces that made the move happen. The final decision to locate here was encouraged by the donation by the city of a three acre tract for new headquarters construction. That, and the temporary office space in the former First Baptist Church building on First Street, currently owned by the county, clinched the deal.

This latest move is the second for the Federation. In 1967, the office moved from its original location in Manhattan up the Hudson River to New Windsor, NY. Just an hour away from the Big Apple, the densely populated east coast with its high numbers of chess players, could keep close touch with their organization. But the same economic pressures that forced the not-for-profit Federation to seek relief from high operating costs over three decades ago came into play again as New York City sprawled further north.

Founded in 1939, The United States Chess Federation (USCF) is the governing organization for chess in America. With over 80,000 paid members, its membership spans every state and territory of the U.S and beyond. There are nearly 2,200 USCF-affiliated chess clubs, and more than 100,000 chess players participate in USCF events every year. The official publication, Chess Life, has a monthly readership of approximately 100,000.

Originally chartered as a not-for-profit organization in Illinois, the U.S. Chess Federation currently sanctions thousands of chess tournaments with a half-million rated games each year. It is the organizer of 25 national championship events including the Amateur, Junior and Senior Championships, and sponsors the National Scholastic Championships, which annually draw approximately 7,000 young players from across the country. The USCF also sponsors American participation in international events. Fifty-three of the world's 415 grandmasters are Americans.

Locally, all schools in Cumberland County have chess clubs, and all youngsters are encouraged to join and learn to play “the game of Kings.” Scientific studies have confirmed that children who are taught chess, in addition to their regular courses, do better in school. Studies report that chess helps develop valuable reading, math, and decision-making skills, and improves students' ability to concentrate.

Home-grown Bill Hall, the Federation’s new Executive Director, couldn’t be happier about the move to Crossville. “Winning the bid process to be the home of the USCF was a significant achievement for the Crossville community. It enhances Crossville’s national appeal and its cultural and intellectual image.”

Hall went on to say that, “This can and should be used as a ‘feather in the community’s cap’ for industrial and organizational development. Chess has been a significant positive factor in my life, and I am excited about bringing the opportunities it offers to children and adults alike, to our community as well as the nation as a whole.”

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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.