The U.S. Chess Trust is a proud supporter of the Schein-Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project

Our scholarships and programs are supported by charitable donations and the Trust does not receive any grants nor government funding.  Our donors help us support this and many other programs.

“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 the latest Press Release for more information.  Good luck to all of the applicants! 

Press Release

Schein – Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project

Mark Schein and Aviv Friedman, with the help of the US Chess Trust, are happy to announce their fourth annual scholastic recognition project.

The project is designed to help some of our younger champions continue to improve and dedicate themselves to chess while offsetting some of the financial expense. The 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 program is generally designed for youngsters age 7-17. Occasionally, in cases of unusual excellence (considerably exceeding the program’s criterions), applications by players up to age 20 would be considered, but in a lower priority to applicants under age 17.

The scholarships offered for 2011 are:

• The top recipient will get $4000;
• the second recipient will get $3000;
• and the third $2000.

Applicants must have been US citizens or permanent legal residents for a minimum of 18 months prior to the deadline date (December 20th for 2011). They must show dedication to chess, talent and accomplishment. They also must exhibit a will to work hard and improve, as well as good sportsmanship and a positive attitude. Applicants must be active tournament players.

The minimum ratings qualification formula is as follows:

• Ages 7-14: age * 100 + 1000 for boys, and age * 100 + 800 for girls.
• Ages 15-16: age * 100 + 900 for boys, and age * 100 + 700 for girls.
• Age 17: 2500 for boys, 2300 for girls.

All applications should be in the form of an essay, describing the applicant’s chess accomplishments, and why he or she should receive a scholarship.

They should be sent via e-mail to Aviv Friedman at avivster@hotmail.com .

As in previous years, the program intends to help co-sponsor a weeklong chess camp for 8-12 top juniors.