For more information contact:
Mark Bretz, Slay & Associates
314-838-9371 or mbretz@slayandassociates.com
For immediate release
SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB TO HOST ALL-GIRL CHESS CAMP FROM AUG. 11-15
ST. LOUIS, August 5, 2009 -- The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, site of the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship last May and the upcoming U.S. Women's Chess Championship in October, will host the 10th United States Chess School from August 11 through 15 at its world-class facility at 4657 Maryland Avenue in the Central West End.
The U.S. Chess School, which is sponsored by Dr. Jim Roberts in conjunction with AF4C (America's Foundation for Chess), is devoted to developing the strongest young players in the country. Started in 2006, this 10th edition is the first exclusively for female players. Previous camps have been held in Kentucky, New York, Arizona, New Jersey and California.
Each session is attended by eight to 12 players. The St. Louis edition includes eight players ranging in age from 12 to 19, who will be tutored by coordinator Elizabeth Vicary, Chess School president Gregory Shahade and grandmaster chess player Gregory Kaidanov, who was one of the 25 competitors at the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship in May.
"We are delighted to host this 10th United States Chess School and the first one held exclusively for girls," said Tony Rich, executive director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. "This is the type of activity envisioned by Rex Sinquefield when he founded our club. While our staff has seen club membership grow to more than 500 members in our first year of operation, we are especially delighted with the interest shown by young women and men in this ancient game of discipline and skill. Fostering the development of young players is a significant component of our mission."
Participants hail from Arizona, California, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, listing achievements such as 1st place at the 2009 All-Girls Nationals and the Ursula Foster Award for the top girl under age 14 at the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls.
Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The session will begin with a rated tournament on August 11 and also will include a "blitz" tournament on Friday, August 14. Goals of the U.S. Chess School include cultivating as many new American grandmasters as possible, developing talent for future Olympiad teams, providing players with a mentor to whom they can turn for advice and training young players to their fullest potential.
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that opened in July 2008. Founded by retired investment fund manager Rex Sinquefield, it already has more than 500 members. The club, which Steve Goldberg of United States Chess Federation (USCF) Online calls "certainly one of the most impressive chess centers" in the country, offers free classes for beginners, discounted tournament entry fees and discounted merchandise for club members. The Chess Club will host the U.S. Women's Chess Championship October 3-13, featuring 10 of the top women players in the country. For more information, please visit www.saintlouischessclub.org or call 314-361-CHESS.
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