U.S. Chess Trust Managing Director Position
Hello chess friends, here is a chess position requiring responsibility and commitment. The U.S. Chess Trust is looking for a managing director.
U.S. Chess Trust update: Barbara DeMaro is retiring from her long time position of Managing Director (MD) of the charitable US Chess Trust. We are now looking to contract out the position.
The primary focus of the Trust is to provide assistance to low income programs, such as Title 1 schools, in order to help them establish chess programs.
The Trust also actively supports scholastic chess programs in general. The Trust’s newest focus is on how chess can be used to combat cognitive disabilities due to aging.
The MD position is considered part-time and is compensated at 25K/yr., with the potential to earn more based on fund raising performance. Along with fund raising, there are a number of administrative duties including:
- making sure all appropriate forms are correctly filed for IRS, Massachusetts, CFC, and other organizations (Florida? Orange County?)
- sending out the annual mailing and processing donations from the mailing
- acknowledging donations
- administering the Samford fellowship program (including obtaning names and addresses of fellows and making sure checks are sent on time)
- handling the chess sets distribution (including obtaining a source and taking care of requests)
- making sure any other needed checks are written (for example for half my expenses at Hall of Fame inductions, for half of inductee expenses if there are live inductees)
- actively participating in Annual Meeting and arranging for telephone hookup
- attending Denker-Barber closing ceremony and writing needed checks
- -administering Denker-Barber program during the year (former award winners sending in documentation of college attendance)
- dealing with phone calls and correspondence
- dealing with Trustee inquiries
- making sure payments to USCF are made on time
- administering the Scholar Chessplayer program in terms of getting checks to awardees
If interested, please send a resume to jeade@uschesstrust.org andhwinston@uschesstrust.org.
Labels: barbara demaro, scholastic chess, US Chess Trust
Scholar Chess Player Awards 2013 Winners: Miles Hinson, Anna Matlin, Kevin Mo, Benjamin Tong, Thomas Ulrich
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The winners of the 2013 Scholar Chess Player Awards were announced at the Supernationals (Nashville, TN) by Harold Winston, US Chess Trust Chairman, and Sunil Weeramantry, US Chess Trust Scholastic VP.
The 2013 Scholar-Chessplayer Award winners are (in alphabetical order):
• Miles Hinson, PA
• Anna Matlin, NJ
• Kevin Mo, PA
• Benjamin Tong, CA
• Thomas Ulrich, WI
Congratulations to the winners for their outstanding achievement!
About the Scholar-Chessplayer Awards Program
The Scholar-Chessplayer Awards program was established in the 1980s, and is administered by the US Chess Federation and the US Chess Trust.
These annual scholarships awarded by the U.S. Chess Trust, the National Scholastic Chess Foundation, and the USCF, are "intended to recognize and encourage high school junior or senior students who promote a positive image of chess."
High School students who have shown outstanding merits in academics, sportsmanship and chess were eligible to apply for these scholarships. Five awards of $1,500.00 each (total of $7,500) in scholarship money are awarded. The funding for this program is provided by the US Chess Trust, a 501(c)(3) organization and the National Scholastic Chess Foundation.
This year's students were selected from 15 applicants by a panel of judges appointed by the Scholastic Council of the USCF. In recognizing this year's winners, Mr. Weeramantry observed the geographical diversity of the recipients and drew attention to the high calibre of all the applicants.
Thanks to the generosity of it's long-time supporters, the U.S. Chess Trustcontinues to fund many wonderful programs including the Scholar-Chessplayer Awards. A special thanks to the National Scholastic Chess Foundation for their contribution to this program.
About the U.S. Chess Trust
The U.S. Chess Trust is an independent 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. Created in 1967, the Trust was organized to promote, stimulate and encourage the study and play of the game of chess as a means of intellectual development. The Trust uses its resources for charitable purposes, including social, educational, scientific, historical endeavors. The U.S. Chess Trust takes an active role in supporting chess education programs across the nation. Our Trustees act without compensation, and are dedicated to the U.S. Chess Trust's mission. Donations to the U.S. Chess Trust are tax-deductible. For more information about the U.S. Chess Trust please visit: www.uschesstrust.org.
About the United States Chess Federation
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.
About the National Scholastic Chess Foundation
The National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF) is a non-profit foundation organized for educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The NSCF was created in 1991 as a merger between the Westchester Chess Foundation (founded in 1985) and the Fairfield County Chess Foundation. The Executive Director of the NSCF is FIDE Master Sunil Weeramantry. For additional information on the NSCF see: www.nscfchess.org.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Labels: anna matlin, benjamin tong, kevin mo, miles hinson, scholar chess player awards, sunil weeramantry, thomas ulrich, US Chess Trust, uscf
US Chess invites applications for scholar chessplayer award
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hello everyone,
If you are a high school junior or senior looking for scholarship money, you could apply for the 2012 Scholar Chessplayer Award! Hurry, last date is March 1.
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| Andrew Shvartsman
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Last Year’s (2011) Scholar-Chessplayer Award Recipients were:
Chaz Daly, FL
Andrew Ng, NJ
Eigen Wang, NY
Kevin Zhang, AZ
Andrew Shvartsman, NJ
Qualifications
If you are also a current USCF member and have shown outstanding merit in academics, sportsmanship, and chess, you are eligible to apply for a 2012 National Scholar-Chessplayer Award.
A total of five scholarships are available of $1,500.00 each for a total of $7,500.00 in scholarship money.
These annual scholarships awarded by the U.S. Chess Trust and the USCF, are intended to recognize and encourage high school students who promote a positive image of chess.
Applications are available online.
2012 Scholar Chessplayer Application – CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Contact Susan Houston at the Scholastic Department of the USCF Office, (931) 787-1234 x136 or email shouston@uschess.org with any questions.
Applicants: Submit FIVE copies of each of the following – OR ONE copy if sent as an email attachment in Word, PDF, or jpeg formats (email submission is preferred):
Completed application form
High School Transcript showing all courses and grades
Letter of recommendation from a teacher
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
A recent photograph of yourself – submit ONLY as a high quality jpeg photo.
Your application must be postmarked no later than March 1st, 2012.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Send completed applications to:
U.S. Chess Federation
Attn: Scholastic Department – SCA
P.O. Box 3967
Crossville, TN 38557-3967
OR Email Attention: Susan Houston at shouston@uschess.org. E-mail submissions are preferred.
Good luck to all the chessplayers!
How the U.S. Chess Trust Makes a Difference
Thanks to the generosity of it’s long-time supporters, the U.S. Chess Trust continues to fund many wonderful programs including the Scholar-Chessplayer Awards.
Donations to the U.S. Chess Trust are tax-deductible. The U.S. Chess Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Special thanks to the National Scholastic Chess Foundation for their contribution to this program.
The U.S. Chess Trust is an independent 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.
Created in 1967, the Trust was organized to promote, stimulate and encourage the study and play of the game of chess as a means of intellectual development. The Trust uses its resources for charitable purposes, including social, educational, scientific, historical endeavors. The U.S. Chess Trust takes an active role in supporting chess education programs across the nation. Our Trustees act without compensation, and are dedicated to the U.S. Chess Trust’s mission.
For more information about the U.S. Chess Trust please visit: www.uschesstrust.org.
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.
The National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF) is a non-profit foundation organized for educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The NSCF was created in 1991 as a merger between the Westchester Chess Foundation (founded in 1985) and the Fairfield County Chess Foundation. The Executive Director of the NSCF is FIDE Master Sunil Weeramantry.
For additional information on the NSCF see: www.nscfchess.org.
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Labels: scholar chessplayer award, US Chess Trust
Highlights of Second Koltanowski International Conference on Chess and Education
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
The U.S. Chess Trust is a proud sponsor of the Second Koltanowski International Conference on Chess and Education.
The Second Koltanowski International Conference on Chess and Education was held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, TX, on November 18 and 19, 2011. The conference was invaluable in providing resources for those interested in well researched and documented studies as well as those looking for ideas for teaching chess. Anyone who wants to understand the value of the Koltanowski Conferences needs only to compare the status of chess in education today with its status ten years ago when the first conference was held.
The conference was appropriately named in honor of George and Leah Koltanowski and serves as a memorial to them. George Koltanowski excelled as a chess player, a chess organizer, a chess tournament director, and a chess journalist. His creativity and sense of humor enabled him to make significant advances in chess tournament procedures while popularizing the world of chess to countless new devotees through his syndicated newspaper column, books, TV show, and especially his personal appearances which focused on remarkable demonstrations of memory and humorous chess stories. He became the National Chess Champion of Belgium and later, after moving to the US, was awarded the title of Dean of American Chess. His wife, Leah, was always by his side and fully supported his constant promotion of chess. Her name was always on the chessboard when George did his popular Knight’s Tour exhibition. They were both wonderful people that enriched the lives of those who knew them and countless others who didn’t.
Each session focused on one general topic and included from one to three presentations related to that topic.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS by Professor Frank Brady on “What we can learn from Bobby Fischer”, which was based on his decades of interaction with his friend Bobby Fischer.
Margaret Murphy, President of the US Virgin Islands Chess Federation, spoke on “Teaching Chess Simultaneously: A Program for Students and Classroom Teachers”.
Professor Charles Moura Netto, Vice President of the Brazilian Chess Federation spoke on “Chess That Brings Freedom” project, which works with 22 prisons in Espirito Santo, Brazil and involves 2250 prisoners, many of whom were arrested for such crimes as murder, robbery, and drug dealing.
Kevin O’Connell is a FIDE Senior Trainer, and International Arbiter, and FIDE Master. He spoke on successful effort to get chess in schools in Turkey and to provide information on the FIDE Chess in Schools program worldwide.
Dr. Teresa Parr, a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, explained why chess works with young children.
Joseph Eberhard, EdD, TAGT Statewide Teacher of the Year in 2002 elaborated on an earlier South Texas study where there was an emphasis on classroom chess instruction and its impact on economically disadvantaged students.
Professor James Bartlett, head of UTD’s doctoral program in Cognition and Neuroscience, his doctoral student Amy Boggan, and Professor Dan Krawczyk of UTD’s Center for Brain Health presented three related papers. Professor Bartlett presented “On Holistic Processing with Faces and Chess”.
Professor Dan Krawczyk presented “The Brain and Chess Perception”.
There were several other fantastic presentations and you can read a full report at the US Chess Trust website.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Labels: Second Koltanowski International Conference on Chess and Education, US Chess Trust
US chess talent search: Applications invited for Schein–Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
The Schein – Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project
The U.S. Chess Trust is a proud supporter of the Schein-Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project
“The Schein-Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project is designed to reward some top-rated youngsters, and help them become tomorrow’s best players and eventual Grandmasters. These youngsters will be serving as role models and inspiration to the entire scholastic community.”
The Schein-Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project is currently accepting submissions.
Last year, the winners were: Samuel Sevian from California, Alena Kats from New York, and Kayden Troff from Utah.
9-year-old Samuel is the youngest player ever to break the rating of 2000 (at age 8). He is a multi-time member of the All American team, and was an official representative in the World Youth in Greece.Find out more about Samuel >>
Alena is a 15-year-old, who is the highest ranked girl for her age group. She has already crossed the milestone of 2200, becoming a USCF master, and drawing her first GM. She has represented the US several times in world events, earning a bronze medal at the Pan American games in 2008, and a high 7th place at the World Youth the same year. Find out more about Alena >>
At 12, Kayden tops the rating list in his group. In 2009, he took first place and the gold at the North American Youth (under 12 open), in Mexico. Kayden represented the US at the World Youth in Greece (2010), and was an official player in the under 12 section. Find out more about Kayden >>
Read here for more information.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Labels: chess scholarship, chess talent, schein friedman scholastic recognition project, US Chess Trust
Super chess interview with chess great GM Boris Gulko
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
We found this very nice interview with 2011 U.S. Chess Hall of Fame Inductee, GM Boris Gulko. The interview was prepared by U.S. Chess Trust Trustee, FIDE Vice President and Former US Chess Federation President, WIM Beatriz Marinello. Here are some excerpts:
WIM Beatriz Marinello: How do you feel about being chosen as one of the 2011 US Hall of Fame Inductees?
GM Boris Gulko: Of course, I am proud.
BM: What did you think about the induction ceremony and the new Chess Museum?
BG: Both (the induction ceremony and the chess museum) were very impressive.
BM: How did you learn how to play chess?
BG: I was introduced to chess by a boy at a children’s camp. But, the only thing I remember about the boy is that he wore a red cap.
BM: What chess players had the greatest influence on your style?
BG: Different players impressed me at different times. I started to play actively in the years of Mikhail Tal, which was very important for my formation.
BM: You are known as a strong middlegame positional player and for your solid style. What advice would you give for those chess aficionados who would like to become good positional players?
BG: It is useful to study positional games of grandmasters with good annotations. I can recommend a book I wrote with GM Sneed titled, “Lessons with a Grandmaster.”
BM: You have a plus score against former World Champion Garry Kasparov. How did you achieve this result? Was it preparation or do you think that your style allows for good defensive play against aggressive players?
BG: I simply played those games well.
BM: What do you consider the highlights of your chess playing career?
BG: Probably my winnings in the USSR and USA Championships.
BM: What do you think is the best game you ever played?
BG: I’ll name the most beautiful. My game with David Bronstein in 1968.
Bronstein vs Gulko (1968), final position
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bb5+ Nc6 6. Ne2 Qb6 7. a4 Nf6 8. O-O Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. c3 cxd4 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nxd4 O-O-O 13. a5 Qc7 14. a6 Nxd4 15. axb7+ Kb8 16. cxd4 Bc2 17. Qe2 h5 18. g5 Ng4 19. f4 f6 20. hxg4 hxg4 21. Ba4 Bf5
22. Qa6 Bc5 23. dxc5 Qxc5+ 24. Kg2 Qe3 25. Ra3 Be4+ 26. Nxe4 Qxe4+ 27. Kg3 Rh3+ 28. Kxg4 Qg2+ 29. Kf5 fxg5 30. Rxh3 Rf8+ 31. Kg6 gxf4+ 32. Kh7 Qxh3+ 33. Kxg7 Qh8+ 34. Kg6 Rg8+ 35. Kf5 Qh7+ 36. Ke5 Qe4+ 37. Kd6 Rg6+ 38. Kc5 Rxa6 39. Bxf4+ Kxb7 40. Bb5 Ra5 0-1
Note: A selection of GM Boris Gulko’s games will be published in the next volume of“Lessons with a Grandmaster”.
BM: What do you think is the ideal format for a national championship?
BG: I think a Round Robin with 10-12 players.
BM: You are the only chessplayer who became both USSR and USA National Champion. What were the differences between Soviet Chess and American Chess back in the 1980s?
BG: The list of players. In the USSR Championships my opponents were Tal, Petrosian, Smyslov, Polugaevsky, and Geller.
BM: Scholastic chess is booming, we have more children than ever learning and playing chess. However, most young talented American Grand Masters are not staying in chess. Why do you think?
BG: Obviously there is not enough money in chess to attract young people to the profession of a chess player.
Labels: chess interview, chess news, gm boris gulko, US Chess Trust
Nice chess interview with Chess Hall of Fame inductee GM Andrew Soltis
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
Here is a nice chess interview with GM Andrew (Andy) Soltis Interview by Jim Eade (U.S. Chess Trust president). GM Soltis was the new inductee - along with GM Boris Gulko - at the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame that (re)opened in Saint Louis recently.
"I don’t know when I was hooked, or why for that matter. Maybe it was for the reason Botvinnik gave: Some people like to think and chess is the best way to satisfy the urge." - GM Andy Soltis
Jim Eade: You were born in Hazelton, PA. in 1947. How did you learn to play chess?
GM Andrew (Andy) Soltis: I learned the moves from a book. I’ve forgotten the name but I had taken it out of the children’s section of the public library in the Astoria, Queens section of New York, where my family was living. I didn’t know anyone who played, much less anyone who could teach me, so for about four years chess remained one of many games I knew how to play but didn’t take seriously.
JE: How old were you, and who were your biggest influences?
AS: I must have been about 10 when I learned. Today that would put me about four years behind the curve for aspiring players. I never had a chess lesson, a teacher, coach or trainer. I remember when I read a Paul Keres column in Chess Life, in 1972, in which he said the way to become a strong player is to work with a strong instructor. He added that this must have been the way young masters of the day got strong. He named Karpov, Tukmakov, Huebner and several others _ including Soltis. I just smiled.
JE: When you first started, where could you play?
AS: I finally got to play around 1961 when there was a meeting, at the same Astoria library, of amateurs who wanted to start a chess club. They eventually rented quarters at a local church but the club only lasted a year or so. I also discovered that chess moves could be recorded and they appeared regularly in the New York Times, thanks to Hermann (cq) Helms. But I didn’t know what to make of, say, the opening moves of the Botvinnik-Tal world championship rematch. After all, why would anyone play 1 c4 to start a game? And what would possess his opponent to reply 1…g6 ?
JE: What was the organized chess scene like back when you first got involved?
AS: There wasn’t much of anything that could be called “organized.” The biggest events, by far, were the annual U.S. Championship, usually held around Christmastime at a midtown hotel, and the final Met League match, which was almost always a showdown between the Marshall and Manhattan clubs. I was a wallboard boy for a few games of one U.S. Championship and played regularly in the Met League, starting in the B division. My first big thrill was announcing a mate in eight moves, beginning with a rook sacrifice, against Bill Fredericks on first board in a Jamaica Chess Club-Marshall B team match. A few weeks later when Fischer spoke at the Marshall club, Carrie Marshall introduced me to Bobby and mentioned that game. “Eight moves?” he said. How could I give up chess after that?
Click Here to Read the Entire Interview >>
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Labels: andrew soltis, chess hall of fame, jim eade, US Chess Trust
Why US Chess Trust president finds World Chess Hall of Fame 'The Best'
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
Remember the recent opening of the World Chess Hall of Fame? The U.S. Chess Trust (USCT) has been contributing a lot to chess in America. Here is an interesting message from the US Chess Trust president Jim Eade who was right there at the opening of the Hall.
He writes: Growing up my younger brother had a habit of describing every new experience as 'The Best!' So, I tend to regard the use of superlatives with a healthy dose of suspicion. Yet, the only way I can describe my recent trip to Saint Louis is: "The Best!" I love the Marshall Chess Club in New York, and have a special fondness for the Mechanics' Institute in San Francisco, but the Saint Louis Chess Club is the best I've ever seen.
I should mention that Hall of Fame 2011 inductee Boris Gulko expressed a preference for the old Moscow Club, and perhaps a few others in the former Soviet Union, but I have never been to any of them. The Saint Louis Chess Club sets a standard for North America, that will be very difficult to match.
The reason for my visit to St. Louis was the grand opening of the World Chess Hall of Fame on September 9th, 2011. What a beautiful facility! The grand opening ceremony was the classiest chess event I have ever attended. (There I go with the superlatives again, but it really cannot be helped.)
U.S. Chess Trust Chairman Harold Winston handled the induction ceremonies with his usual competence and class. The 2011 inductees to the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame, GM Boris Gulko and GM Andy Soltis, were present, and GM Soltis gave a short, gracious acceptance speech. My wife, Sheri Anderson, had asked Boris, who we both first met in 1995, whether he was going to make a speech, and he indicated he would not. She told him to make it in Russian!
Boris laughed and said, "If I make it in English they will think it is Russian!"
The 2011 inductee to the World Hall of Fame was Vera Menchik. Harold Winston also handled that induction on behalf of fellow Trustee Beatriz Marinello, who proposed the induction of Vera Menchik in recognition of being the World's First Women's Chess Champion. Beatriz could not attend, because of a family emergency.
I encourage every chess enthusiast to schedule a trip to Saint Louis!
It's "The Best!"
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
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www.chessqueen.com
Labels: chess hall of fame, US Chess Trust
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