| 2010 Grand Prix Sponsors: ChessLecture.com and ChessMagnetSchool.com |
| By Bill Hall | |
| April 7, 2010 | |
|
It is my pleasure to introduce the sponsors for the 2010 editions
of the Grand Prix and the Junior Grand Prix. The 2010 ChessLecture.com
Grand Prix has an increased cash prize fund of $12,000. This year-long
competition is designed to reward excellence and consistency in major
events all across the nation. For nearly three decades this has been a
staple of the chess culture in the United States. Tournaments eligible
to award Grand Prix points are listed in the Grand Prix section of the
Tournament Life area with the number of points available. ChessLecture.com is the leader in online chess videos, with more than 1,200 videos for players of all levels, each prepared and delivered by professional players and teachers ranging from the master to the grandmaster level, including (so far this year) GMs Eugene Perelshteyn and Jesse Kraai, IMs Bill Paschall, Bryan Smith and David Vigorito, FMs Dennis Monokroussos and Valeri Lilov, and NM Dana Mackenzie. USCF members are invited to learn more about the sponsor of the 2010 Grand Prix at www.ChessLecture.com. The Junior Grand Prix is entering its third year. This competition is designed to encourage young players to seek opportunities to play against stronger competition; thereby to stimulate improvement and life-long excitement about the game. The 2010 ChessMagnetSchool.com Junior Grand Prix will award a $1,000 stipend to attend the 2011 U.S. Open in Orlando, Florida (including free entry). Also, there will be the opportunity for three students to win a full Chess Magnet School site license for their school. A variety of prizes will be awarded to the top 50 finishers nationally and the top in each state. Chess Magnet School provides computer-based online chess training for both adults and children, including those who study independently and those who study under the guidance of a coach or teacher, as well as support for chess coaches and others who teach chess. Chess Magnet School has been a partner with USCF on a number of projects and activities since 2006, and has provided the free program that teaches the rules of chess to newcomers in the "New to Chess?" section of USCF’s website. USCF members are invited to learn more about Chess Magnet School at www.ChessMagnetSchool.com. Please join me in welcoming our new sponsors and let the games begin! ~Bill Hall, USCF Executive Director |