Kasparov Chess Foundation Presents Fifth Annual All-Girls National Chess Championships (April 25th – 27th)

View the All Girls National Feature in Chess Life – Click Here

University of Texas at Dallas Established Academic Scholarship Valued at $68,000.

US Women’s Champion, IM Irina Krush, to Make Special Appearances.

Kasparov Chess Foundation, the non-profit chess educational organization founded by world chess champion Garry Kasparov, announces the Fifth Annual National All-Girls Chess Championships, to be held for the first time in Dallas, TX, at the Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum by the Galleria, April 25 – 27, 2008.

Kasparov Chess Foundation is presenting the tournament in association with the Dallas Chess Club (DCC), University of Texas at Dallas, and the United States Chess Federation (USCF).

Girls from public, private and home-schools are invited to participate.

Teams will compete within the following age categories: 8 years old and younger; 10 years old and younger; 12 years old and younger; 14 years old and younger; 16 years old and younger; 18 years old and younger.

As a special award, The University of Texas at Dallas, www.utdallas.edu, has established an Academic Distinction Scholarship to the winner of the 18 years old and younger section.

The scholarship is valued at $68,000 for an out-of-state student. More information on the scholarship can be found at www.chess.utdallas.edu.

“Having learned that the Kasparov Chess Foundation was contemplating a relocation of the All Girls Nationals from Chicago to Dallas in 2008, this seemed to be a very good match for our program goals of promoting chess for young women,” explained James Stallings, director of the chess program at University of Texas at Dallas. “Therefore, Dean Michael Coleman has authorized The University of Texas at Dallas to establish an Academic Distinction Scholarship to the winner of 18 years old and younger section,” he added.

“During our meeting with Dean Coleman, we discussed a number of shared projects that underscore our combined commitment to advance chess in education,” commented Michael Khodarkovsky, President of the Kasparov Chess Foundation. “We hope the All Girls Nationals is just the beginning of many more to come,” added Mr. Khodarkovsky.

All events will be hosted at the Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum by the Galleria; 14901 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75254; Phone: (800) 228-4290.

The tournament schedule follows:

Main Event, Six Round Swiss System, G/60:

Sat., April 26: Opening Ceremony: 9:00 AM
Sat., April 26: Rounds 1 – 4; 9:30-11:30 AM; 12:00-2:00 PM; 3:00-5:00 PM; 5:30-7:30 PM
Sun., April 27: Rounds 5 – 6; 9:00-11:00 AM; 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Sun., April 27: Awards Ceremony: 2:30 PM

Trophies will be awarded to the top 15 individual players and top three teams in each section. Three or more players from the same school make up a team (team scores will be calculated based on the top 3 scores to give teams their final standings). All players will receive a souvenir medal to honor their participation.

Special Appearances by Irina Krush

Reigning US Women’s champion, International Master Irina Krush, the youngest ever (at age 14) U.S. Women’s Champion, 4-time member of the U.S. Women’s Olympiad Team and Silver medalist of the 2004 U.S. Women’s Olympiad Team, will perform a simultaneous exhibition versus participants of the All Girls Nationals.

The simultaneous exhibition will be held on Fri., April 25 at 7:00 P.M. at Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum by the Galleria. Irina will also be on hand throughout the tournament and at the awards ceremony.

As a special offer to all competitors and their guests, the Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum by the Galleria will offer a guaranteed Chess rate of $92 if reservations are made by March 26, 2008.  For reservations, call 1-800-228-4290 or 972-661-2800.

Side Events

In addition to the main competition, several side events will be taking place.

Following is the schedule of side events:

Blitz Tournament G/5
Friday April April 25, 3:00 PM
Entry fee: $15 if p/m by March 26, $25 on site

Bughouse Tournament
Friday April April 25, 5:00 PM
Entry fee: $25 per team

Enter Early and Save

The competition is now accepting entry applications for participants.

Entry fee: $45 through March 26th, and $70 thereafter.

All participants are required to be members of the US Chess Federation (USCF), www.uschess.org.

Applicants can either register online by visiting www.dallaschess.com/2008natgirls or www.kasparovchessfoundation.org, or via mail.

Make checks payable to Dallas Chess Club
Attn: Barbara Swafford
2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley TX 76036;
Tel. (214) 632-9000; info@dallaschess.com

About Kasparov Chess Foundation

Founded by World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, KCF’s mission is to bring the many educational benefits of chess to children throughout the United States by providing a complete chess curriculum and enrichment programs.

The Foundation promotes the study of chess as a cognitive learning tool in curricular classes and after-school programs for elementary, middle and high schools, both in the public and private school sectors.  The not-for-profit educational organization also organizes tournaments and competitions on a local and national basis.

For more information, please visit www.kasparovchessfoundation.org.