“The U.S. Chess Trust, Mitchell Denker and the National Scholastic Chess Foundation will award $2200 in Scholarships (1st place: $800, 2nd place $500, 3rd place $300, 4th place $300 and 5th place $300).”

PRESS RELEASE

THE 2009 DENKER TOURNAMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONS

The tournament shall be played during the 2009 U.S. Open in Indianapolis, Indiana from August 1, 2009 to August 4, 2009.

The Denker Tournament of High School Champions fields High School State Champions from across the United States.

The “Denker” is considered a prestigious event held in memory of Grandmaster Arnold Denker who helped found it and who helped support it financially for over 20 years. Scholarships totaling $2,200 are now awarded to the top five finishers, through the generosity of GM Denker’s son, Mitchell, the U.S. Chess Trust and the National Scholastic Chess Foundation.

Eligibility

Each state shall be allowed one Representative. Alternates may be substituted as the official Representative. If there is an odd number of entrants in the tournament, the Chairman of the Denker Committee will allow the host state to enter an additional qualified player. The additional player may not receive any prize monies, but is eligible for expense monies and the UTD Scholarship. Should the USCF state affiliate fail to respond to the notice for this tournament, the Denker Chairman may determine the candidate from that state. Only first Denker state qualifier played in will be used. Representatives must be residents of the state they are representing.

All players must be under the age of 19 on September 1 of the year in which the tournament is held, and have been enrolled, during the previous spring, in the 9th through 12th grade. Home schooled students who are under the age of 19 on September 1 of the year in which the tournament is held and who have never attended college on a full time basis prior to June 1 of the year in which the tournament is held, are eligible to represent the state in which they reside. Proof of eligibility shall be the responsibility of the players and of the USCF state official certifying the Representative or alternate.
It is the goal of the Denker Committee to have all fifty states and the District of Columbia represented. Consequently, we strongly encourage each USCF state affiliate and the District of Columbia to hold a High School Championship tournament to determine its champion. Failing this, rating or some other criteria may be acceptable.

Playing Schedule

The Opening Ceremony and 6-round Swiss will consist of the following dates and times:
Opening Ceremony 4 PM Saturday, August 1, 2009 (REQUIRED ATTENDANCE AND CHECK-IN). All participants are required to attend for photo session, awarding of Medallions and introduction of dignitaries.

• Round 1-Saturday, August 1, 2009. Same time as evening round of the US Open.
• Round 2-Sunday, August 2, 2009- 11AM
• Round 3-Same starting time as evening round of the US Open.
• Round 4-Monday, August 3, 2009- 11 AM.
• Round 5-Same starting time as evening round of the US Open.
• Round 6-Tuesday, August 4, 2009- 11 AM, Denker Awards Ceremony- 4 PM.

This playing schedule is especially convenient, because it allows players an opportunity to participate in the US Open. This is possible because you can now enter the 6 day schedule or the 4 day schedule of the US Open upon completion of the Denker. Please note that the USCF Delegates voted to provide a 50% entry fee for all Denker participants who choose to enter the US Open after the Denker is concluded.

Rules

1. Players shall be required to play all six rounds of the tournament. Failure to do so, without notifying the TD personally, will result in a forfeiture of expense monies.
2. Player shall be required to furnish the TD with a legible and complete scoresheet.
3. The time control will be 90 minutes per player with 30 second increment added per move. This is the approved FIDE time control.

Scholarship Details

The Denker Tournament of High School Champions is proud to announce that a 4 year Academic Distinction Scholarship will be awarded by the University of Texas, Dallas. The scholarship is valued at $68,000 for an out-of-state student. UTD has been a leader in the promotion of Scholastic Chess for many years. You can see their campus and chess program at the following locations: www.utdallas.edu and www.chess.utdallas.edu/ .

In addition, the “new” video of the UTD chess team has been uploaded to YouTube.  View it below!

It is about UTD (University of Texas at Dallas) which is the sponsor of the scholarship that will be given at the 2009 Denker Tournament of High School Champions. This will give you a look into what UTD is all about and what players can expect when they attend UTD.

Eligible winners must meet UTD entry requirements and have been in grades 9-11 during the previous spring.

The U.S. Chess Trust, Mitchell Denker and the National Scholastic Chess Foundation will award $2200 in Scholarships (1st place: $800, 2nd place $500, 3rd place $300, 4th place $300 and 5th place $300).

Scholarships are designated for college expenses and will be sent to winners only upon proof of college enrollment (copies of paid bills, or official letters, etc.) by the Chess Trust. In some cases, prizes will be held in escrow pending receipt of paper documentation.

There will also be a $500 Ursula Foster scholarship awarded by the Chess Trust to the highest finisher who is under the age of 16 on the first day of the tournament. If no participant is under 16, then the scholarship will go to the under 17. Two or more players must be in the lowest age qualified group.

The winner of the tournament shall receive the title of Denker High School Champion of Champions. In case of ties, co-champions shall be recognized.
Expense money

Through the generosity of Mitchell Denker, each participant will receive a minimum of $100 to help defray travel expenses, plus a share of the remaining funds after tournament expenses. Expense money will be paid in check or cash at the conclusion of the event. A proportion of a player’s expense money will be withheld for each forfeited game. Players expelled from the tournament, or who withdraw without contacting the Tournament Director forfeit all expense money.

Travel & Accommodations:

Players are responsible for their own travel and accommodations. Players sharing rooms should make their arrangements carefully, as neither the USCF nor the tournament are responsible for any consequences arising from such arrangements.

2009 Venue:
Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st St., Indianapolis, IN 46219. Phone: 317-352-1231. Hotel “chess” Rate: $99 single/quad.

Contact Information

Each player must provide the Denker Chairman with a phone number of a parent or other responsible adult in case of an emergency.

DENKER CHAIRMAN: Dewain Barber, 524 S. Avenida Faro, Anaheim CA 92807 (714) 998-5508. FAX (714) 998-1160
E-Mail: AmChessEq@aol.com.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE ON THIS EVENT AND IT’S RESULTS!