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For Teachers & Coaches

November 14, 2008 By Chess Press Leave a Comment

Resources for Teachers & Coaches

Guide To Scholastic Chess (PDF Download)

Children and Chess (PDF Download) (Alexey W. Root author)

A Beginners Guide to Coaching Scholastic Chess (PDF Download) (Ralph Bowman author)

Teaching Chess in the 21st Century (PDF Download) (NM Todd Bardwick author)

Chess Workbook for Children (PDF Download) (NM Todd Bardwick author)

Chess in Education Committee website

Official Rules of Chess Rulebook – 5th editon – catalog #1690

State Scholastic Contacts

Chess Club Directory

Chess Camp listing

For further inquiry – please contact us at info@uschesstrust.org.

Filed Under: Programs

Sets for Vets

November 14, 2008 By Chess Press Leave a Comment

Chess Vets

A special thanks to Anna Matlin and the 5th grade class in Berkley Heights, NJ for their donation!

The New Jersey State Chess Federation (NJSCF) “Sets for Vets” has been a great success.

In 2005 $13,750 was raised by the NJSCF from individuals and Aetna Insurance. Oct. 2006, The New Jersey State Chess Federation (NJSCF) just donated $1,000!

Over 1200 sets and 160 chess computer games were distributed to 146 VA hospitals and Care Centers, as well as to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

100 sets so far to Iraq, plus another 100 pocket sets, 51 chess clocks and a case of 80 chess books and 12 autographed chess books by Grandmaster Lev Alburt!

In addition to what Lev has so graciously donated I’d like to report that just recently (July 2006) Lev donated a case of Chess Books (76 books) and a chess set that went to 76 VA Hospitals!

So far 60 Braille Chess sets have been sent to 60 hospitals with a goal of 86 more as soon as more donations come in.

We had 26 inquiries about setting up chess programs in VA hospitals with 4 hospitals now having a program!

But now we really need your help ! We need you to volunteer to visit our veterans, to play chess or to start instructional programs.

The NJSCF has compiled a list of facilities, sorted by state, for your convenience.

If you wish to volunteer please contact the supervisor of Voluntary Services at that facility and also notify: Herman “Herm” Drenth at setsforvets@aol.com

Chess equipment may also be donated to Sets for Vets.

For mailing directions please contact Herm Drenth.

You can make a tax deductible donation to NJSCF through the Chess Trust by contacting Barbara DeMaro, Managing Director, ATTN: The U.S. Chess Trust, P.O. Box 838, Wallkill, NY 12589.

To qualify for your tax deduction, please make your check payable to the The U.S. Chess Trust.

Inquiries regarding The Chess Trust can be sent to info@uschesstrust.org.

Important note: Be sure to include a note that your donation is to be earmarked for, Sets for Vets.

If you wish to make a non-tax deductible donation you can mail your check payable to: The New Jersey State Chess Federation NJSCF, Attn: Ken Thomas – Treasurer, 115 West Moore Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840, phone: (908) 763-6468. Be sure to note “Sets for Vets” on your check and make the check payable to: New Jersey State Chess Federation (NJSCF).

Volunteer your time for our wounded heroes ! Adopt a Hospital ; Please notify Herm of the hospital you wish to work with to confirm that no one is already assigned. Sets for Vets committee members; Joe Ippolito, Bill Bluestone, Dr. Frank Schott, Herm Drenth are all volunteers and 100% of all donations are used to purchase chess equipment for the wounded warriors!!

We ask all chess clubs to adopt a VA hospital in your area and visit and play chess with these wounded heroes.

You may contact a VA hospital from the list below. Funds go quickly so any donations are always welcomed. Every dollar donated goes to purchasing chess books and equipment!


VA hospital list

Alabama

  • Birmingham VA Medical Center, 700 S. 19th st. Birmingham, Alabama 35223, 205-933-8101
  • Central Alabama Health Care Center, 215 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery, Alabama, 334-272-4670
  • Tuscaloosa Veterans Hospital, 700 S.19th St. Birmingham, Ala. 35212
  • Dallas Veterans Hospital, 3701 Loop Rd. East, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35404, 205-554-2000 Randy.lestourgeon@med.va.gov
  • Central Alabama Veterans Health Ctr. 2400 Hospital Rd. Tuskegee, Ala 36083, William.petty1@med.va.gov

Arizona

  • Northern Arizona Health Care Center, 500 N. Highway89, Prescott, Arizona 86313
  • 2 Southern Arizona Health Care Center, 3601 S. 6th Av. Tucson, Arizona 85723, 520-629-1822, Deborah.brookshire@med.va.gov

Arkansas

  • Fayetteville VA Medical Center, 1100 N. College Ave. Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72703, 479-444-5060 carol.kick@med.va.gov 5/6
  • Eugene J. Towein Health Care Center, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, N. Little Rock, Arkansas, 72114-1706, 501-257-1000
  • John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital, 4300 West 7th St. Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205-5484, 501-257-1000

California

  • Central California Health care system, 2615 E. Clinton Ave. Fresno Cal 93703, Daniel.Goodro@med.va.gov
  • 559-228-6907

    Palo Alto VA     health care center,3801 Miranda AV. Palo Alto Cal, 94304-1290, 650-493-5000
  • Northern California VA Health Care Center, 10535 Hospital Way, Sacramento Cal. 95665, 919-366-5366 juanita.DeLuna@med.va.gov
  • Long Beach Health Care System, 5901 E.7th St Long Beach Cal. 90822, 562-826-8000
  • Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VAMC 11201 Benton St. Loma Linda, Cal. 92357, 1-800-741-8387, Annie.tuttle@med.va.gov
  • Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, 1130 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles Cal 90073, C/o Carcie Brundlin 310-268-4350 kris.baugh@med.va.gov
  • San Diego VAMC 3350 La Jolle Village Dr. San Diego, Cal 56303 858-552-8585
  • San Francisco VAMC 4150 Clement St. San Francisco Cal. 94121-1598 415-221-4810

Colorado

  • Eastern Colorado Health Care Center, 1055 Clermont St. Denver Colorado 80220, 303-399-8020
  • Grand Junction VA Medical Center, 212 North Ave. Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, Toll free 866-206-6415

Connecticut

  • Newington VA Health Care Center, 555 Willard Ave. Newington, Connecticut 06111, 860-666-6951
  • West Haven VA medical center, 950 Campbell Ave. West Haven, Connecticut 06516, 203-932-5711, joseph.canzanella@med.va.gov
  • Veterans Home, 287 West Street, Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067, 860-529-2571 X 2289, Dan Perrault

Delaware

  • Wilmington VA medical center, 1601 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Delaware 19805, 302-994-2511, Karen.cavanaugh@med.va.gov
  • Bear Scholastic Chess Club visiting, Contact: Rich Martin

Florida

Georgia

  • Atlanta VAMC, 1670 Clairmont Rd. Decatur, Georgia 30033, 404-728-7728, Jan.moreira@med.va.gov
  • Carl Vinson VAMC 1826 Veterans Blvd. Dublin, Georgia 31021, 478-272-1210
  • Augusta VAMC 1 Freedom Way -, Augusta, Georgia 30904-6285, 706-733-0188, Anne.arnold@med.va.gov

Hawaii

  • VA Pacific Islands Health care system, 459 Patterson Road Honolulu, hi. 96819-1522, Patricia.wieland@med.va.gov 5/05
  • Spark M. Matsunaga VA medical center, Attn: Ms. Patricia Wieland, VA Voluntary Service Manager, Office of the Director, 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-1522. PATRICIA.WIELAND@med.va.gov

Idaho

Illinois

  • Illiana VA Medical Center, 1900 E. Main St. Danville, Illinois 61832-5198, 217-554-3000
  • Hines VA Medical Center, 5th ave & Roosevelt Road, Hines Illinois 708-202-2523, Bonnie.gunter@med.va.gov
  • Marion VA Medical Center, 2401 W. Main St. Marion, Illinois 62959 Rebecca.Shinneman@med.va.gov 618-997-5311

Indiana

  • Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, 1481 W. 10th st. Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, 317-554-0000
  • Northern Indiana-Marion Health Care Center, 1700 E.38th st. Marion, Indiana 46953-4589, 765-674-3321
  • Northern Indiana-Fort Wayne Health Care Center, 2121 Lake Ave. Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805, 260-460-1336

Iowa

  • Iowa City VA Medical Center, 601 Highway 6 W. Iowa City, Iowa 52246-2208, 319-338-0581, Gary.strank@med.va.gov
  • Des Moines VA Medical Center, 3600 30th st. Des Moines, Iowa 50310-5774, 515-699-5818 candace.davis@med.va.gov
  • Knoxville VA Health Care Center, 1515 W. Pleasant St. Knoxville Iowa 50138, 641-842-3101

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

  • Alexandria VA Medical Center, 2495 Shreveport Highway 71 north, Pineville Louisiana 71360, 318-473-0010
  • New Orleans VA Medical Center, 1601 Perdido St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-1262, 504-568-0811 Deborah J Gottardi
  • Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, 510 Stoner Ave. Shreveport Louisiana, 318-221-8411

Maine

Maryland

  • Perry Point VA Medical Center, Perry Point, Maryland 21902, 410-642-2411
  • Baltimore Med Ctr. 10 N. Green St. Baltimore, Maryland 21201, 1-800-463-6295 Dallas.Renninger@med.va.gov

Massachusetts

  • New England VA health care center, 200 Springs Road, Building 61, Bedford, Mass. 01730, 781-687-3400

Michigan

  • Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor Michigan 48105, 734-769-7100, Beverly.Lenesky@med.va.gov
  • Aled E. Lutz VA Medical Center, 1500 Weiss St. Saginaw, Michigan 48602, 989-791-2217, Laurel.Simmons@med.va.gov
  • Iron Mountain VAMC 325 E. H St. Iron Mountain Michigan 49801, 906-774-3300 Mark.frazee@med.va.gov
  • VA Medical Center, 5500 Armstrong Rd. Battle Creek, Michigan 49105, 269-966-5497 Margaret.trunick@med.va.gov
  • Detroit VAMC C/O Voluntary Service (118v) 4646 John R. St. Detroit Michigan 48226 Wayne.snyder@med.va.gov

Minnesota

  • St. Cloud VAMC 4801 Veterans Dr. St. Cloud Minn. 56303, 320-252-1670 Patricia.aljets@med.va.gov
  • Minneapolis VAMC 1 Veterans Dr. Minn. 55417, 612-725-2000

Mississippi

Missouri

  • Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Medical Center, 800 Hospital Dr. Columbia, Missouri 65201-5297, 573-814-6000
  • Kansas City VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri 64128, 816-861-4700
  • St. Louis VA Medical Center, 915 grand Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri 63106, 314-652-4100 marcena.gunter@med.va.gov

Montana

Nebraska

  • Nebraska/Western Iowa VA Health Care Center, 2201 N. Broadwell Av. Grand Island Nebraska 68805-2196, 308-382-3660

Nevada

  • Southern Nevada VA Health Care Center, 1000 Locust St. Reno Nevada 89502, 775-786-7200
  • Southern Nevada H.C S. P.O. box36001 North Las Vegas, Nevada 89036 Moase.martinez@med.va.gov

New Hampshire

  • Manchester VAMC 718 Smythe Rd. Manchester NH 03104, 603-624-4366

New Jersey

  • East Orange Medical Center, 385 Tremont Ave. East Orange NJ 07018-1095, 1-800-646-8262 or 973-676-1000 Mrs. Arnold rec director
  • Lyons VA Medical Center, 151 Knollcroft Rd. Lyons NJ 07939, 908-6470180X4327 or 908-604-5810 direct line to Bill Ouellette, rec director

New Mexico

  • New Mexico VA Health Care Center, 1501 San Pedro Dr. SE. Albuquerque New Mexico 87108-5153, 505-265-1711 sonja.brown@med.va.gov
  • VA Medical Center, 2100 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108, 505-265-1711

New York

  • Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center, 113Holland Av. Albany, New York 12208, 518-626-5000, Karen.haas@med.va.gov
  • Bath VA Medical Center, 76 Veterans Ave. Bath, New York 14810, 607-664-4000
  • Western New York Health Care System, 3495 Bailey Ave. Buffalo, New York 14215, 716-862-8759 Mark.Francis@med.va.gov
  • Canandaigua VA Medical Center, 400 Frot Hill Ave. Canandaigua, New York 14424, 585-394-2000
  • Syracuse VA Medical Center, 800 Irving Ave. Syracuse, New York 13210, 315-425-4400
  • Bronx Medical Center, 130 Kingsbridge Rd. Bronx NY 10468, 718-584-9000, Michael.Abelson@med.va.gov
  • VA NY Harbor Health Care System, 800 Poly Pl. Brooklyn NY 11209, 718-630-3704 Keith Butcher
  • VA H.C.C. NY Campus,423E23rd st. NY, NY 10010, 212-686-7500 Frank.civitillo@med.va.gov
  • St Albans VA Med Ctr. 179th St & Linden Blvd, St. Albans NY 11425, 718-526-1000 Jeffry.Benke@med.va.gov
  • VA Hudson Valley Care System, Montrose Campus, Rt. 9A. PO Box 100 Montrose NY 10548-0100, 914-737-4400
  • Castle Point Campus, Castle Point NY 12511, 845-831-2000
  • North Port Med Ctr. 79 Middleville Rd. Northport NY 11768, 631-261-4400 X 7183 Lynn.Mott@med.va.gov

North Carolina

  • Ashville VA Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Road, Ashville, North Carolina 28805, 828-298-7911
  • Durham VA Medical Center, 508 Fulton St.Durham, North Carolina 27705, 919-786-0411
  • Fayetteville VA Medical Center, 2300 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301, 910-488-2120
  • W.G. Hefner VA Medical Center, 1601 Brenner Ave. Salisbury, North Carolina 28144704-638-9000

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

  • VA Medical Center, 921 NE 13th St Oklahoma City. OK. 73104, 405-270-0501
  • VA Medical Center, 1011 Honor Heights Dr. Muskogee OK. 74401, 918-680-3621/3840 gregory.sorenson@med.va.gov

Oregon

  • Portland VA Medical Center, P.O. box 1034 (p5 vol), Portland Oregon 97239, 503-273-5019 kay.hilt@med.va.gov
  • Roseburg VA Health Care System, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd. 97470, 541-440-1272 dona.brewer@med.va.gov

Pennsylvania

  • Pittsburg VA Medical Center, 7180 Highland Dr. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania 15206, 1-866-4va-pitt (toll free) Lorraine.kerr@med.va.gov
  • Coatesville VA Medical Center, 1400 Black Horse Hill Road, Coatesville, PA. 19320, Earl.Johnson2@med.va.gov
  • VA Medical Center, 3900 Woodlawn Av. Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 1-215-823-5800X6613 Melisa.edonick@med.va.gov
  • Lebanon Med Ctr. 1700 S. Lincoln Ave. Lebanon, PA. 17042 717-228-6030 Kathy.hoge2@med.va.gov, Earl.Johnson2@med.va.gov
  • James E. Van Zandt VA Med Ctr. 2907 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona PA 16602-4377, 814-943-8164X 714 cindy.eaton@med.va.gov
  • Wilkes-Barre VAMC 1111E.End Blvd. Wilkes-Barre PA. 18711 570-721-7237 Kimberly.hoge2@med.va.gov
  • Erie VAMC E38th St Erie Pa. 16504 814-868-8661 Karen.oneal@med.va.gov
  • VA Med Ctr. 325 New Castle Rd, Butler Pa 16001-2480 David.Virag@med.va.gov

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

  • Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee St. Charleston, South Carolina, 27401-5799, 843-577-5011
  • William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29209-1639, 803-776-4000

South Dakota

Tennessee

  • Alvin York Health Care Center,3400 Lebanon Pike, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129, 615-867-6000, Ann.Brown@med.va.gov
  • Nashville Health Care Center, 1310 24th Ave. S. Nashville, Tennessee 37212-2637, 615-327-4751, Sherry.pomeroy@med.va.gov
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1030 Jefferson Ave. Memphis, Tennessee 38104, 901-573-8990
  • Mountain Home VA Medical Center, P.O. box 4000, Mountain Home, Tennessee 37608, 423-926-1171, Mike.Kromoff@med.va.gov

Texas

  • Brook Army Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brook Dr. (3600 fsh) San Antonio 78234, 501-257-1000 Bamc.webmaster@amedd.army.mil
  • Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd. San Antonio Texas 78229, 210-617-5300, Linda.Ziontz@med.va.gov
  • Sam Rayburn Memorial VA Med Ctr. 1201 E 9th St. Bonham Texas 75418, 903-583-6561 gilbert.martinez@med.va.gov
  • Olin B Teague VAMC 1901 Veterans Memorial Dr. Temple Texas 76504, 245-534-4352 henry.mosely@med.va.gov
  • Waco VAMC 480 Memorial Dr Waco Texas 76711 254-752-6581 henry.mosely@med.va.gov Mail to Olin Teague
  • Michael E. DeBakey VAMC 2002 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, Texas 77030-4298, 1-800-553-2278
  • Kerrville VAMC 3600 Memorial Dr. Kerrville, Texas 78028, 830-896-2020

Utah

Vermont

  • White River Junction VA Medical Center, 215 N. Main St. White River Junction, Vermont 05009, 802-295-9363

Virginia

  • McGuire VA Medical Center, 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, Virginia 23249, 804-675-5135 Janet.langehorne@med.va.gov
  • Salem VA Medical Center, 1970 Roanoke Blvd. Salem, Virginia 24153, 540-983-1096
  • Hampton VAMC 100 Emancipation Dr. Hampton, VA 23667, 757-722-9961 judith.curtis@med.va.gov

Washington State

  • Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center, 77 Wainwright Dr, Walla Walla Washington 99362, 509-525-5200
  • Spokan VAMC 4815 N. Assembly St. Spokan Wash. 99205-6197 Carla.lippert@med.va.gov

Washington D.C.

  • Walter Reed Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington DC 20307-5001

West Virginia

  • Beckley VA Medical Center, 200 Veterans Drive, Beckley, W. Virginia 25801, 304-255-2121 cheryl.yost@med.va.gov
  • Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Dr. Clarksburg, W. Virginia 26301, 304-623-3461, Cheryl.Welch@med.va.gov
  • Huntington VA Medical Center. 1540 Spring Valley Dr. Huntington, W Virginia 25704, 304-429-6741
  • Martinsburg VA Medical Center, 510 Butler Ave.Martinsburg W. Virginia 25401, 304-263-0811

Wisconsin

  • William S. Middleton VAMC 2500 Overlook Ave. Madison, Wisconsin 53705, 608-256-1901 scott.krueger@med.va.gov
  • Tomah VAMC 500 E. Veterans St. Tomah, Wisconsin 54660, 608-372-3971
  • Clement J. Zablocki VAMC 5000 W. National Ave. Milwaukee Wis 53295-0001, 414-384-2000 denise.jashinsky@med.va.gov

Wyoming

  • Cheyenne VAMC 2360 E. Pershing Dr. Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001, 307-778-7550
  • Sheridan VAMC 1898 Fort Rd. Sheridan Wyoming 82801, 307-672-3473

Filed Under: Programs

We Are Proud Contributors of the 2008 U.S. Chess Olympiad Team

November 12, 2008 By Chess Press Leave a Comment

Gata Kamsky Hikaru Nakamura Alexander Onischuk Yury Shulman Akobian

2008 Chess Olympiad Kicks Off Today! (Dresden, Germany Nov. 12-25, 2008)

The U.S. Men’s Team

This year the United States has the strongest team ever in the men’s division. Check out the details below!

GM Gata Kamsky (Age 34)

On the Top Board – GM Gata Kamsky is the United States highest-rated player – FIDE Rating 2729. Find out more…

Remember, as we previously reported, Kamsky has a match against Topalov, which is scheduled to begin the day after the Olympiad ends. According to the USCF – “Whether that match will take place as planned remains to be seen, but the dates and location of Lvov, Ukraine have been guaranteed by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.”

GM Hikaru Nakamura (Age 20)

On Board 2 – GM Hikaru Nakamura follows Kamsky with a FIDE Rating of 2704. Hikaru is the youngest member of the U.S. Men’s team. Find out more…

GM Alexander Onischuk (Age 33)

On Board 3 – GM Alexander Onischuk comes in with a FIDE Rating of 2644. Find out more…

GM Yury Shulman (Age 33)

On Board 4 – GM Yury Shulman, automatically qualified for the Olympiad by winning the 2008 U.S. Chess Championship. He goes to the Olympiad with a FIDE Rating of 2616. Find out more…

GM Varuzhan Akobian (Age 24)

On Board 5 – GM Varuzhan Akobian, who is 24 yrs old will turn 25 around the middle of the tournament. Akobian was born in Armenia and has a FIDE Rating of 2606. Find out more…

Men’s Team Captain: IM John Donaldson

IM Irina Krush, Photo Betsy Dynako Anna Zatonskih WGM Rusudan Goletiani WGM Katerina Rohonyan WFM Tatev Abrahamyan

The U.S. Women’s Team

IM Irina Krush (Age 24)

Top Board – IM Irina Krush – Irina has a participated in four Chess Olympiads! She goes to this Olympiad with her highest-ever olympiad FIDE Rating—2470. Irina was born in the Ukraine. Irina outrated Anna Zatonskih and may take the top board. Find out more…

WGM Anna Zatonskih (Age 30)

On Board 2 – Anna is the current U.S. Women’s Champion. She goes to the Olympiad with a FIDE Rating of 2440. In 2006, she played board one for the women’s team. Anna was also born in the Ukraine, and has also participated in four Chess Olympiads – however, she represented Ukraine in her first two trips to the Olympiad. Find out more…

WGM Rusudan Goletiani (Age 28)

On Board 3 – WGM Rusudan Goletiani, three-time World Youth Chess champion. This is here 2nd Olympiad! She goes to the Olympiad with a FIDE Rating of 2359. Rusudan is a native of the republic of Georgia. Find out more…

WGM Katerina Rohonyan (Age 24)

On Board 4 – WGM Katerina Rohonyan, a newcomer to the Olympiads. She is also a Ukrainian-American. Katerina goes to Dresden with a FIDE Rating of 2334. Find out more…

WFM Tatev Abrahamyan (Age 20)

On Board 5 – WFM Tatev Abrahamyan, was selected for the Olympiad in part because of the age bonus. She gets 30 bonus rating points because she is 20 years old. She goes to the Olympiad with a FIDE Rating of 2286. Find out more…

Women’s Team Captain: Michael Khodarkovsky

Women’s Team Coach: GM Gregory Kaidanov

Good Luck to all of the Players!!! Stay tuned for more coverage!

Click Here to visit the official web site of the 2008 Olympiad— www.dresden2008.de

(Press Release) 152 Nations at the Chess Olympiad 2008 in Dresden – Highest level of registration in history of all chess olympiads

It’s going to be the biggest chess olympiad of all ages. After the final closing of the registration list on September the 19th there are more than 2.000 active participants announced at the chess olympiad from November the 12th till November the 25th. The previous appraisal of 1.500 active participants was now outbid.

With 152 registered nations Dresden surpasses the previous Olympiad 2006 in Turin with 7 more countries. The participants distribute themselves to 275 teams, therefrom 156 in the maintournament including the second team of Germany and the teams of the deaf, correspondence chess players and blind persons. 119 women teams are starting.

The chess olympiad is after the Summer Olympics the sporting event with the most participating nations worldwide. With these high numerary the demand is rising too: The International Congress Centre has to admit the players, the arbiters, organizers and official persons, as well as up to 1.500 visitors per diem. Among all nations Russia is the favourite, but almost every world top player is going to attend the Games.

Dresden is also making history in the field of rules. The tournament in autumn comes up with numerous rule changes and is deemed to be the chess olympiad of reformation. Among other changes the player has to sit clocklike on his seat or he is loosing immediately the match. It is not allowed to agree a draw before the 30th move is done.

Additional Information:

Click Here for Interesting Facts & Tidbits
Click Here to Learn More About Dresden
Click Here for Tournament Venue

Filed Under: Tournaments/Events

GM Jaan Ehlvest Qualified for the 2009 FIDE World Cup!

November 10, 2008 By Chess Press Leave a Comment

GM Jaan Ehlvest wins the 2008 Pan American-Continental Championship & Qualified for the 2009 FIDE World Cup in Khanty- Mansyisk, Russia!


Replay Round 9 Match between Ehlvest (W) vs. Shabalov (B)!

Congratulations GM Jaan Ehlvest!

Click Here to Replay the Games for the 2008 Pan American Continental Championship!

Filed Under: Tournaments/Events

Games Teachers Play by Lisa Suhay

November 7, 2008 By Chess Press Leave a Comment

Question of the Month

The start of a new chess club, U.S. Chess Trust support, inspired new chess players…

Check out the article written by a teacher, Lisa Suhay of Ryan Academy! This article will run locally on the Virgina Pilot.

We hope that they can submit some of their chess essays for our ChEssays Web Page!

Games Teachers Play by Lisa Suhay

I am a slow learner. It took me the last 43 years to figure out what I was put on Earth to do with all my oddball qualities, unique experiences and quirky insights. I found my calling via a phone call from the blue asking me to teach high school English this Fall.

Each day at a small private school in Norfolk I teach four courses: 12th Grade British Literature; 9th grade composition; journalism and creative writing.

Having lived aboard a sailboat at one time provided two good teaching mantras: “Sometimes you have to go left to go right” and “You cannot control the wind, only adjust your sails.”

In I sailed with lesson plans on Beowulf, Chaucer, creative writing prompts galore. I ran straight into the rocky classroom where students lights had been burned out by: ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, lack of self-esteem, rampant hormones and Senioritis.

It was time to go left to set things right. Out came my iPod filled with everything from Shakespearean sonnets read by a New York convict in a “Sensitivity through poetry” program to the Lord’s Prayer read in Olde English.

The breakthrough tool, however, was the game of chess. Chess is not a game for “smart people” but a game that enhances people’s smarts. (Please see http://www.quadcitychess.com/benefits_of_chess.html)

It began when I decided to use the game of chess as a way to teach the literature of the Middle Ages and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The thought came into play as I poured over my lesson plans while my husband, Robert, sat playing chess against our four-year-old son, Quin. I thought about how chess is a story that is rewritten with every game. The queen, like Eleanor, is the most powerful piece in the kingdom. Chess could provide fodder for teaching metaphor, allegory and perhaps be a good shield allowing students to explore their emotions without experiencing too much pain.

I went into the classroom with three boards, a set of descriptions of each piece as a character (knight, king, queen, bishop, pawn/soldier, castle/rook) and a very crazy teaching plan.

Students in all my classes would learn to play. No excuses.

  • British Literature students would learn through allegory.
  • Composition class would have metaphor exploration.
  • Budding journalists would learn to look at stories from all angles.
  • Creative writing would dig deepest, exploring parallels between chess and life.

Results were immediate and dramatic. My discipline problems pretty much evaporated. Students with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia were transformed into chess-a-holics. Those who previously were labeled by themselves and others as least likely to succeed were suddenly winners.

Since we had nearly 40 players we formed the school’s first chess club. I applied to the U.S. Chess Trust in Walkill, NY and the Virginia Scholastic Chess Association in Richmond for aid in the form of more chess boards.

This week U.S. Chess Trust agreed to supply boards so we can keep all the students in play. The U.S. Chess Trust also featured our school on its national website.

U.S. Chess Trust is a 501c3 charitiy in need of funds so that other schools here in Hampton Roads and across the nation can help public and private schools obtain equipment to form their first chess clubs as we have.

The timetable was: two weeks of learning/playing chess in class mixed with discussion, articles from the Hip-hop Chess Federation which teaches chess for life strategies, video (i.e. Searching for Bobby Fischer, A Lion in Winter and YouTube snippets of speed chess), and lectures from a book called “Birth of the Chess Queen” by Marilyn Yalom.

Then I set them all to the task of writing Chessays (chess essays): “How is chess like life?”

Those essays are piled beside me as I write and from them shines a light so bright it brings tears to my eyes. They told of battles, death of a parent “King”“Queen,” or longing and newly tapped potential.

“I am a pawn in the board of life. My power is limited. A lot of times people see me as the weakest piece, but what they don’t know is someday I will be the strongest. Pieces, known as my family and friends, fall around me but the only thing I can do is move forward,” wrote one 16-year-old. “Like a Raisin in the sun, my dream was deferred. My King had fallen. It felt like the game was over…”

An 18-year-old girl wrote, “Life is not an easy game to play…There is not one smile that is permanent. Love comes and goes. Heartache is a deleterious emotion that can make our ways of thinking very destructive. This is our battle.”

“Chess is like a relationship. You not only have to take pieces, but you must give them also,” wrote a tattoo sportin’, tough talkin’, fist bumpin’ 18-year-old chess wizard.

“Sometimes you have to give up pieces of yourself to get a piece of value from the other person because you have to sacrifice to attain greatness in the long run. And if you play it safe for too long the relationship will turn on you, as will the game of chess. Then before you know it – checkmate.”

It’s chess, but they’re not just playin’ anymore.

Filed Under: Community

Ryan Academy’s Success with Chess!

November 6, 2008 By Chess Press Leave a Comment

U.S. Chess Trust - Making a Difference with Chess U.S. Chess Trust - Making a Difference

Ryan Academy students engrossed in a game of chess.

The U.S. Chess Trust donated chess equipment to the Ryan Academy. Below is a note we received from the Ryan Academy regarding their success with chess!

“”A million thanks! We have had some stunning success thanks to chess. The game has dramatically improved concentration, focus, behavior and has been the basis for our Chessays in writing classes. A series of writing prompts on ‘How chess is like life’ brought out some truly insightful works. Learning and regularly playing the game has been especially beneficial to students coping with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia and high stress situations in their personal lives.”"

Congratulations to the Ryan Academy for implementing a chess program that supports their students in a positive way! We are proud to support them with our Chess-for-Youth program and look forward to hearing from them again!

Playing chess has proven to help students enhance their creativity, improve their power of concentration, develop and expand critical thinking skills, boost memory and retention, and achieve superior academic performance.

Additionally, chess has been shown to augment problem-solving capabilities, provide cultural enrichment, advance intellectual maturity, and enhance self-esteem. We know that these are qualities that school administrators, parents, and teachers desire for their students.

The U.S. Chess Trust’s Chess-For-Youth program operates under a very simple premise chess makes kids smarter and should be an opportunity available to all students across the country. We can help you establish or continue your chess program! Click here to find out more about the Chess-for-Youth program.

To find out more about the Ryan Academy – Click Here.

We have included an excerpt from a book titled “Educational Benefits of Chess” by Dr. Robert Ferguson which sheds some light on chess in education. Feel free to download the entire book by clicking on the link at the bottom of the excerpt.

Educational Benefits of Chess by Dr. Robert Ferguson

Chapter I. The Problem

“In modest forms thinking pervades, and to a degree rules, all activities of a human being. Why, then, are we so little concerned with the study of thought processes?” –Wolfgang Kohler

Introduction

There is a pressing need, in the opinion of many educators, leaders, employers, and others, to teach young people how to think. These studies propose that critical and creative thinking can be taught using chess as the vehicle. My 1987-88 research also asserts that chess can be utilized to develop memory.

There is a very strong contention among both educators and chess aficionados that chess develops a number of valuable skills.

“Chess Makes You Smart” is the upbeat message of the U.S. Chess Federation.

Benjamin Franklin promoted a similar idea in his essay “The Morals of Chess”:

“The game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities ofthe mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions; for life is a kind of Chess, in which we have points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with, and in which thereis a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree, the effect of prudence, or the want of it. And this we may learn by playing at Chess.” (Franklin, 1786).

Franklin went on to list these valuable qualities of the mind as:

  • 1st, Foresight, which looks a little into futurity, and considers the consequences that may attend an action. . . . “If I move this Piece, what will be the advantage or disadvantage of my new situation?”
  • 2nd, Circumspection, which surveys the whole Chessboard, or scene of action.
  • 3rd, Caution, not to make our moves too hastily. . . .
  • And, lastly, we learn by Chess the habit of not being discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs; the habit of hoping for a favourable change, and that of persevering in the search of resources.

The first official world champion, Wilhelm Steinitz (1889), expressed the value of chess as follows:

“It is almost universally recognised as a healthy mental exercise, which in its effects on the intellectual faculties is akin to that of physical gymnastics on the conservation and development of bodily strength.

Moreover, the cultivation of the game seems also to exercise a direct influence on the physical condition of chessplayers and the prolongation of their lives, for most of the celebrated masters and authors on the game have reached a very old age, and have pre- served their mental powers unimpaired in some instances up to their very last moments.”

Read or Download (PDF): Educational Benefits of Chess by Dr Robert Ferguson

Filed Under: Community

The U.S. Chess Trust is a Proud Contributor of the 2008 Pan American Continental Championship!

November 5, 2008 By Chess Press Leave a Comment

The U.S. Chess Trust is a proud contributor of this event!

This event is shaping up to be a very interesting and exciting event!

GM Ivanov, Alexander & GM Becerra, Julio – both from the USA are just two of the many talented chess players at this event.

The Pan American Continental Championship got off to a good start, but, not without a few mishaps.

The Colombians arrived in the United States and got stuck in an elevator at the Tri Rail station in Boca Raton – prompting the Fire Dept. to rescue them!

Then on Monday Nov. 3rd, the Marriott at Boca Center had a power outage which delayed one of the Rounds leading into late name Games!

The chess players and staff have been great at keeping it together and helping this become a successful and memorable event!

Interest and support has been great! With people blogging from other countries and the U.S.A. on the tournament’s official website to show their support for their favorite players!

You can check out more details and Live Game coverage at www.ChessEducators.com – Click Here to View the Live Games Blog

Filed Under: Tournaments/Events

Help the U.S. Chess Trust Support the Chess Community – Make an Online Donation

November 2, 2008 By Chess Press Leave a Comment

Donate to ChessChess Donations

The U.S. Chess Trust helps support many chess programs & events !

* Chess for Youth
* Sets for Vets
* Denker Tournament for High School Champions
* World Youth Championship (October 19-31, 2008)
* Collegiate Final Four
* Scholar Chess Players Award
* Pan-Am Youth Festival
* World Junior Championship
* Polgar Girl Championships
* Armed Forces Championship (Oct. 11-13, 2008)
* Veteran Prison Chess
* The Samford Fellowship
* Chess in Education
* Schein-Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project

Help us continue to offer these programs and resources by making your Online Donation today! Remember, making a donation is fast, easy and secure ! Just click on the Make a Donation button to process your donation – it’s that simple !

Check out our Programs/Resources section for more info on how we support the community !

Filed Under: News

Issue # 8 of Our Newsletter Has Gone Out! Did You Miss It? Sign Up to Receive Future Newsletters!

November 1, 2008 By Chess Press Leave a Comment

Issue # 8 of Our Newsletter Just Came Out!
Did you miss it? Click image Below to View

USCT Issue # 8 Newsletter

Sign Up To Receive Future Newsletters!
Just Click the Green Sign Up Button, fill out the form and submit – it’s that simple !

Have some CHESS NEWS or an ANNOUNCEMENT you would like covered?

Submit your inquiry to Newsletter@USChessTrust.org for a chance to appear in our next newsletter !

Filed Under: News