Lubbock Mayor welcomes SPNI players

July 25, 2009

Dear Friends:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Lubbock for the prestigious Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls. We are honored to host this unique event, which is one of the most prestigious all-girls events in the United States.

Players from all over the country were invited to the event, and I applaud the Susan Polgar Institute (SPICE) at Texas Tech, The Susan Polgar Foundation (SPF), and the Knight Raiders for hosting the event and raising awareness of chess.

We are proud to have you here, and I wish you the best of luck. I know it will be an exciting and challenging week.

Sincerely,
Tom Martin
Mayor of Lubbock

Very difficult endgame

Position by M. Garcia, 2000

White to move and win. This is a VERY tricky and complicated position. It will be almost 20 moves long. Have fun! :)

Over $150K in chess scholarships

June 4 to 7, 2009	South Point · Hotel · Spa
LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL

The Chess Event of the Year

Susan Polgar World Open for Girls and Boys Championship

June 6-7, 2009

Enter Now! Championship Side Events Chess Camp Breakfast with Susan

The Polgar Committee will award automatic qualifying spots to the winners in each section of the 2009 annual Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls!

Over $150,000 in college scholarships and chess prizes!

5 Round		USCF Rated Swiss System Tournament
Time Control		Game/45 minutes
8 Sections		Girls Under 19 · Boys Under 19 · Born after June 6th, 1990 Girls Under 14 · Boys Under 14 · Born after June 6th, 1995 Girls Under 11 · Boys Under 11 · Born after June 6th, 1998 Girls Under 8 · Boys Under 8 · Born after June 6th, 2001
Trophies		Top 10 individuals in each section Top 3 (3-player) school/club teams each section Special Medals to 11th-20th Individuals and 4th-6th Teams
Prizes		1st in each section MonRoi Personal Chess Manager 2nd - 5th $200-$150-$100-$50 in chess prizes
Scholarships		to Texas Tech will be awarded based in part on performance in this event.
Entry Fee		$45 by 1/29, $55 by 5/19, $65 by 6/3, $75 on site.
Registration		Friday 4-8 p.m. & Saturday 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Rounds		Saturday 11 a.m, 1:30 p.m & 4 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m & 12:30 p.m. Opening Ceremony Saturday 10 a.m. Awards Ceremony Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Membership		in the U.S. Chess Federation is required of all players. You may join with your entry or on site. Players will not be allowed to complete the tournament without a valid membership.

In compliance with the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act all non-gaming areas of the South Point Hotel, including the Convention Center and restaurants, are NON-SMOKING.

South Point Hotel and Spa:

- Some of our many amenities include a 16-screen Century Theatre movie complex, 64-lane bowling center and a handful of restaurants that cater to all appetites and tastes.

- Our distinctive hotel features spacious rooms and suites with 42-inch plasma televisions, Point Plush mattresses and Wireless Fidelity throughout.

- A unique feature to this property is its Equestrian Center, which is the finest horse facility in the country.

- Recently, we have added a fabulous 400-seat showroom that features headliner entertainment and dancing to live bands on weekends.

Girls square off on chess board

Girls square off on chess board at tournament
By Jessica Goodman
Times-News Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 4:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 8:45 p.m.

There’s the quiet scrap of pieces against cardboard playing boards, black versus white and the familiar plastic pieces.

Seventeen girls focus in on the moves of their opponent, carefully gauging the distance to the king and checkmate, considering each move before confidently choosing a pawn, rook or knight of their own to move against the others.

This is the fifth year for the Girls Just Want to Play Chess tournament, a girls-only chess tournament organized by Neal Harris, a chess professional and National Life Master in the game. The tournament was held Saturday at Hendersonville Elementary School.

“Either smart kids play chess, or chess makes smart kids,” said Harris.

Harris teaches classes at several local schools. He is one of six people in the North Carolina Chess Hall of Fame, and his patience for the game reflects in his ability to teach the young minds eager to pick up the game. There are several chess clubs at the schools to help support the young players.

“Every kid is looking for their niche,” said Harris.

The girls come from all sorts of backgrounds and have different extracurricular activities. A few play sports like soccer, softball and basketball. There’s a cheerleader. At the moment, their minds are all occupied with a different type of game.

“I think it’s a great way to challenge their minds,” said Vicki Hughes, the mother of Lettie and Mazie, both 9. “Girls got to stick together.”

Here is the full article.

Part 2: Chess proponent shares harrowing story

Polgar: Part 2: Chess proponent shares harrowing story of getting to U.S.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Story last updated at 5/10/2009 - 2:04 am

This is a continuation from last week. Some readers would like to know who my husband is and what is his role in chess.

Susan Polgar: How did you manage to survive?

Paul Truong: I guess my father and I survived because of our inner strength. We said to ourselves, "we have to live. We have to make it because if we don't, my younger brother and mother would eventually die in Vietnam." They had no way of taking care of themselves. The communists did not treat them well after learning of the escape of my father and me. They punished them. They took away everything they owned. So we had to be strong and make it. We had no choice.

SP: I've known you for more than 20 years now. I know you usually don't want to talk about it. But I think this is really important for chess fans around the country and around the world to know why you are so passionate about helping chess. I think it is very inspirational. Please go on. How did you survive?

PT: We were drifting nowhere for a long time. All of sudden, after weeks of nothing but ocean, we finally saw land at the end of the horizon.

SP: So that was it?

PT: Not exactly! We could not get there because we had no fuel. And it was too long of a distance to swim. No one would make it. But luckily, I don't know how, but the current apparently pushed us slowly closer. Then out of nowhere, Indonesian navy ships came in front of us to stop us from entering. My father was brought to the commanding ship. They told my father to turn our boat around. My father explained to them we could not. We had no fuel, no food, no water and many of our people had died. They said they had orders not to let us in. If we do, they have no choice but to shoot us down.

My father told them in that case then please just save all of us from a slow and eventual death by shooting all of us now. We would not make it anyway.

Upon returning to our boat, my father ordered everyone to throw overboard all the dead bodies that relatives were still trying to hold on to for a proper burial. This was our only hope to show them how bad the situation was. When the captain of the commanding ship saw how many bodies were there, I think he changed his mind. An hour later, an official helicopter circled around us and they officially requested to have us brought to safety. In my heart, I know that the captain had radioed for help. But he would never admit it.

SP: So this was the end of the journey?

PT: Kind of! To make the long story short, after we were brought to this wild and deserted island, we were safe. But we still had no food. I had to hunt and fish with my bare hands, and find fruits from the jungle. We had to do whatever we could to survive.

This was a real survival experience, not the game you see on TV. Many more people died as a result of malnutrition. We stayed here for about 5-6 months I think. Then finally, we came to New Jersey on Dec. 1, 1979. I spoke no English. I was frail. I was very rusty in chess. It was a disaster.

SP: So did you start to play a lot of chess in here in America? And did anyone know what you had to endure?

PT: I played in any tournament that I could afford to enter. I had no money. I was going to high school full time (without even knowing the language) and I worked seven part-time jobs at night and weekends to raise money to send back to Vietnam to help my mother, my brother and more than 60 other relatives. Most people did not know this. Some knew, but very little. I did not want anyone to feel sorry for me. I wanted to earn everything by merit.

I became a master again in 1980. I was right around 15. I won many tournaments, but I could not afford to enter many big tournaments, so mostly regional ones.

SP: So when did you leave chess?

PT: At the age of 17, I had to make a very hard decision. Do I want to continue to play chess and be a professional, and to fulfill my dream of being a grandmaster? Or do I just give it up and go to college and have a professional career?
I chose to leave the game. How could I be a world-class player if I did not even have the opportunity to train or play? So I went to college.

SP: What happened after college?

PT: I began working professionally. I worked very hard. I put in 16- to 18-hour days, seven days a week. I did that every day for 15 years. Then in 2001, on 9/11, you remember we had a business meeting right around the World Trade Center area that morning. I guess someone up there did not want us to go. That was when I felt that it was my calling to do something I always wanted to do, and that is to get back into the chess field. That was always my true love.

SP: Is this why making a difference for chess is so important to you?

PT: Yes. Absolutely. I lost my chance to become a very special player in chess when I was younger because of the political situation in my country. I did not have this chance. Then when I came to America, I could not pursue chess fully because I could not afford it. That is why it is my mission to change this.

I want to be able to give every child an opportunity to play this game. I want every child who wants to pursue his or her dream will have the proper guidance and assistance. I would like to promote chess as a tool to help all children academically and in life. I know that I may not reach every child. But I will give it 150 percent everyday to fulfill this mission. Why not? Who says we can't do it? If I can survive everything I went through in life, why can't I do this?

I don't know failure. I don't accept failures. I don't understand the word "impossible." I did not risk my life, give up everything to come here to just be another person. I want to make a difference. I want to give back for the blessing I had.

SP: Is this where you get your passion?

PT: Yes! Whatever I do, I give 150 percent of myself. Everything I do, I do with a passion. Everything I say, I say it with a passion. This is me. I hope my passion will rub off on other people. I hope that when more people see why I am doing this, they will join and lend a hand.

There are about 40-45 million people who play this game according to the numbers I read. Why can't chess be bigger and more popular? I am absolutely positive that we will succeed if everyone works together and what we do can change an entire generation.

Source: Avalanche Journal

Polgar: Chess champion shares personal story of struggle to escape homeland (part 1)

Polgar: Chess champion shares personal story of struggle to escape homeland (part 1)
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Story last updated at 5/3/2009 - 2:07 am

The question of the week is very different this week. Some readers would like to know who my husband is and what is his role in chess.

My husband has been one of my best friends for more than two decades, who also happens to be my business manager and chess trainer as well. His name is Paul Truong.

He is the director of marketing and PR for SPICE at Texas Tech and is also the assistant head coach of the TTU Knight Raiders Chess Team.

He is the brain behind many current and past incredible chess projects in the U.S. His background is in marketing and PR and his mission is to bring chess to the level of popularity of golf, tennis and other sports.

He has dedicated the last nine years to promoting this wonderful game with all its vast benefits, especially to young people. Often, people ask me why he does this. I think you will know why after reading this two-part interview. It was a very emotional interview because it touched upon many painful topics for my husband, some things he usually does not to talk about.

Susan Polgar: Why are you so passionate about changing the face of chess in America?

Truong: Well, it is a very good question and one I don't think I have talked about too much. It started from circumstances I had to deal with throughout the early part of my life. Growing up in Saigon, South Vietnam, I became a chess icon at a very young age. I won many national junior and open championships. The first one came unexpectedly when I was only 5 years old. All of a sudden, I became a sensation, a child prodigy. My celebrity status skyrocketed.

I was invited by the late President Marcos of the Philippines to attend the Fischer vs. Karpov match in Manila in 1975 (which of course never took place). I also qualified for the World Junior (under 21) Championship in Manila that same year. At that time, I thought I had a chance to showcase my talent on a world stage. Then, my life came crumbling down. The communists from North Vietnam took over my country on April 30, 1975. I was no longer allowed to travel. I was no longer allowed to play chess freely.

Since my father was working for the U.S. Embassy prior to the fall of South Vietnam, my family was singled out. They considered us traitors. For the next four years, my father had to constantly be in hiding, otherwise, he would have been executed. The new government no longer allowed me to train in chess. The only thing they allowed me to do was to defend my National Championship, which I did successfully until April 30, 1979, the fourth anniversary of the fall of Saigon.

On that day, my father and I escaped by boat through an underground network, leaving my mother and young brother behind. They would never survive this dangerous escape. Our hope was to be able to get out first and bring them out later through another channel. To make the long story short, we faced death many times. How we survived was a miracle in itself.

SP: So what exactly happened?

PT: We had a lot of problems the first time we tried to escape. The wooden boat was only about 150 feet long and there were more than 600 people inside. We were sitting like sardines in a can, even worse. There was no ventilation, no food, no water and not even a bathroom. The engine could not hold up and exploded. We were stranded in the ocean without food and water for a while.

After we were lucky enough to be rescued, our boat was towed back to Vietnam and we were all thrown in jail. Luckily, the authorities did not know who my father was. After bribing the local officials, we were released and we escaped again a month later.

This time, the engine was bigger. But we had different problems. We were attacked by pirates from Thailand. They took the valuables from people on the boat. They raped our women and young girls. They even took some to their boat when they were done. We never saw these young girls again. We had to go through this five different times with five different pirate ships.

SP: So how did you get to safety?

PT: During the fifth attack, the pirates could not find any valuables because the previous four groups took everything. They were angry so they sunk our boat. We were in the middle of nowhere in shark-infested waters. Many people could not swim and drowned. Others died of exhaustion. And some died from you know... My father and I were lucky enough to live through this. An American oil tanker happened to go by, saw us and rescued us.

SP: So you were safe after this?

PT: No. After being in a small enclosed abandoned soccer field with no roof over our head, little food and unbearable living conditions for 30 days, we were thrown out of Malaysia because the locals could no longer to help us.

They put us on a boat taken from previous refugees, threw in another 350-plus refugees from different boats (now we had about 700 people total), gave us about 20 gallons of fuel and 20 gallons of water (no food), then towed us out to international waters.

Could you imagine, 20 gallons of fuel? Where do you go with 20 gallons? And 20 gallons of water for 700 people? How long can anyone last under 120-degree heat directly under the tropical sun with no food or water?

Not only that, while they towed us out, they purposely tried to sink us. They towed us in a zigzag formation to tear apart the front of the boat. They did but we were lucky that the boat did not break in half. After they got us to the point where they thought we could never survive, they left us to die.

Again, we had to drift to nowhere for weeks without food, water or fuel. Many people died of hunger and thirst. Dead bodies were everywhere. There was nothing you could do. All you could do was pray.

The second part of this interview will continue next week.

Chess player scores spot in national competition

Alexa Lasley, 14
Chess player scores spot in national competition
April 27, 2009 - 11:09 AM

Matt Lasley taught his daughter how to play chess. Now Alexa can school her dad in the game.

Alexa, a home-schooler from Black Forest, is preparing to travel to Texas for the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls, being held this summer at the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence. Alexa, who has been playing chess since about age 7, scored the opportunity to attend the invitational when she won second place in the Colorado State Scholastic Chess Championship, where she played against ninth- to 12-graders. Alexa was the youngest competitor, but she beat five of the six players she battled. As the female competitor with the most points, Alexa said, she had won her way to the Susan Polgar competition.

Susan Polgar was the first woman to qualify for the men's world championship, in 1986, and earn the men's Grandmaster title. Her Institute is dedicated to boosting the popularity of chess among all people, especially girls.

Q&A WITH ALEXA

How old were you when you first beat your dad at chess?
"I think I was 11 or 12, and I was so excited, I was jumping around, 'Yeah, I beat Dad!'"

Tell me about the Susan Polgar Invitational.
"It's in late July, and I think a little of it's in early August. And it's a week long, and you play every day."

What do you like about chess?
"I don't know. It's lots of fun, and it makes you think."

What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Maybe an author, but I'm not really sure."

What are some of your hobbies besides chess?
"I like reading a lot. In the summer I catch lots of butterflies."

Who inspires you?
"My mom and dad."

Favorite books
Dragon Keeper series, Warriors series

Siblings
Two brothers, two sisters. "I'm the oldest."

Alexa said her whole family plays chess. "Except my mom doesn't play chess. She says she has other things to learn."

Source: http://www.gazette.com

Most Remarkable Teen

Courage, Involvement, Promise brings honors to Riverside teens

10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
By JENNIFER DEAN
The Press-Enterprise

"We look for people that really strived, who might have lived lives of difficulty, but did it with joy," said Catherine Priamos, a Poly High School junior and member of the Youth Council. "Caitlin Hutchinson excelled academically on top of sickness and becoming blind. Now she's learning Braille and still excelling."

Other categories included Academics, Community Service, Courage to Overcome, Acting, Citizenship, Rising Star, Fashion, Leadership, Photography/Visual Art, Performing Arts, Social Conscience, Journalism, Activism, Vocals, Civic Involvement, Most Promising Teen, Most Remarkable Teen.

Nisha Deolalikar, a senior at Poly High School, took the title of Most Remarkable Teen for her academic accomplishments and her research internships at the National Institute of Health and UC Riverside. She is also a nationally-ranked chess player, having taken first place at the Susan Polgar National Invitational and first place at the California Super State Chess Championship.

"It's a great honor to be here among the amazing teens of Riverside," Deolalikar said.

"My hope is that some of these incredible teens go out ... they get that education and hone those talents," said Councilmember William "Rusty" Bailey. "And then, they come back to Riverside."

Source: http://www.pe.com

Born into a family of chess enthusiasts

Morgan Mahowald was born into a family of chess enthusiasts. “I’m one of the only kids I’ve run across who competes in tournaments but can’t beat their parents.”

One teen is taking her skills to a national competition.
By ALEX ROBINSON , Star Tribune
Last update: April 28, 2009 - 8:12 PM
Minneapolis Star Tribune - Minneapolis, MN, USA

Morgan Mahowald, a 17-year-old Robbinsdale Cooper High School senior, was born into a world of chess.

Her parents met each other at a chess club and said that, as a baby, she used chess pieces to teethe -- and she played her first tournament at only 3 years old.

"Chess isn't a game, it's not even really a sport, it's a way of life," said Morgan.

The New Hope teen will put her chess experience to the test in August at a national high school girls' chess tournament, which she qualified for by winning the state high school girls' championship last month.

Morgan also qualified for the national tournament last year and is making a repeat appearance.

Despite Morgan's success, she stays grounded, perhaps because she's not even the best chess player in her family.

Her dad, Matt Mahowald, is a veteran tournament player, a chess coach and holds the national title of a chess master -- he said it's not uncommon for him to spend up to eight hours preparing for a single game. Her mom, Daa Mahowald, is one of the stronger women players in the area, and organizes chess camps for girls. The Mahowalds also run the chess club at Cooper.

To have a family so involved in chess is rare, Daa Mahowald said. Many kids who participate in national tournaments are coached by professional chess coaches who can charge up to $100 per hour, she said. Morgan just takes lessons from her dad.

"I'm one of the only kids I've run across who competes in tournaments but can't beat their parents," Morgan said.

Although Morgan had played chess nearly all of her life, she didn't truly start taking the game seriously until about two years ago when she went with her dad to play chess at Santa Monica pier in California -- an area well-known by serious chess players.

While there, Morgan played a variety of interesting people, and many of them were beach bums who she said "were actually really good."

"I've never had so much fun playing chess before," she said.

Source: http://www.startribune.com

The official launching of PCU

• Affordable Chess Training with World-Class Instructors!
• Weekly Classes for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels!
• Classes are personally being conducted by me and many other World-Class Chess Trainers!

Polgar Chess University: My brand new online chess training program where students of all levels, no matter where they live, have an opportunity to learn chess from some of the best instructors in the game. I created this online school with the dream of bringing expert advice and training to chess enthusiasts around the world at a very affordable cost.

I developed the structured curriculum, personally teaching many of the courses along with other top chess players and professional instructors who will be joining the faculty as the school grows. Polgar Chess University is initially offered in this format:

• Courses identified by level - Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
• Three general courses, one at each level, run concurrently

• Course lessons are prerecorded lectures that may be viewed at your convenience
• A new lesson in each course is offered each week, on Mondays
• Earlier lessons may be retrieved from the library at no extra cost

• More specialized courses, especially for teachers, along with special guests and events, are planned for the future

Please visit www.PolgarChessUniversity.com for more information.

Sign up now for a one year plan and get an additional three bonus months plus one year of World Chess Live membership FREE! For just about $1.50 per week, you can learn from the best! Just enter the code “SuperNationals” when you sign up.

Chess and Technology

Guest Column: Technology and Chess

This continues a new category of posts: Guest columns where friends and readers share how technology is reshaping their hobby – basket weaving, rugby – whatever.

This time it is my daughter, Rita Mirchandani on chess.

Daughter? But before you scream nepotism, let me tell you she was the top ranked girl in Florida the last couple of years. She could beat me within a few weeks after she started to play!

“Chess has been played for almost 1,500 years since its origins in India. From there it spread gradually around the world and can truly be called the world’s first global game. But while it has traveled far and wide, the game itself has remained largely unchanged - except in the technology available around it. In recent years, the technology has really exploded.

...Community

While technology has clearly helped, it is the community which makes chess so fulfilling. I am grateful to have learned from a wide range of generous folks. I had a coach from Cuba, an internet coach from California, and advice from countless players and tournament organizers who helped me analyze each game I played.

I have been inspired by Susan Polgar, winner of many Olympics gold medals and a prominent lady grandmaster, and have been privileged to be invited to tournaments she organizes for young girls. To do my part to give back to the community, I now help Coach Willard Taylor, who encouraged my early interest in chess and is excellent with young kids, teach chess to a group of 3rd grade students at Berkeley High.

Summary

Chess is a fantastic hobby. Very affordable if you stick to local chess clubs and internet play. Somewhat more expensive if you play in tournaments around the world. But I have ended up with very good friends in just about every US state as a result of the tournaments I played in different cities.

And we unabashedly give each other unsolicited advice – not just about chess. You could say chess world was an established social network way before MySpace or Facebook became popular.”

Here is the full article.

Girls making history in Idaho!

I just received the following from Katie Abderhalden, a young female chess player from Idaho. I am very happy to see this kind of progress. Here is her letter:

Ms. Polgar,

I wanted to keep you informed about the situation in Idaho and I know that this would interest you.

Never before has a girl even placed at the Idaho Scholastic Championships. However, that changed yesterday. Not only did a girl ‘place’ in the top three Overall, but we swept the field by taking all three top spots. And two of us are still in middle school! The field consisted mostly of high school aged boys.

My best friend, Emily Patterson (age 14), and myself tied as Co-Champions with 41/2 points out of 5. (We drew in our game against each other.) So it came down to tie-breaks to determine trophy distribution. I received the first place trophy and Emily the second place trophy. Erica Barkell (age 17) came in third with 4 points.

And the three of us tied for the 2009 Idaho Girl’s State Championship two weeks ago!

The picture of us at the Scholastic Championships I sent, shows Emily in white, me in blue and Erica in black.

Girls Rock!
Katie Abderhalden

Way to go Katie, Emily and Erica! I am very proud of all of you!

FIDE Women's Chess Committee

9 March 2009

GM Susan Polgar

Dear Susan,

I am glad to appoint you as Co-Chairperson of the Commission for Women’s Chess with immediate effect until the next FIDE Elections in 2010.

I am aware of your enormous contributions in the development and popularisation of chess and am confident that you and your members will further the good work.

Our General Secretary Mr Ignatius Leong will liaise with you and your Commission. Thank you.

Yours sincerely
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
President

Girls' success

Two Chess Girls in Washington State

At the Washington State Middle School and Junior High School Team Championship, held on March 7th at the Islander Middle School on Mercer Island, a team from Bellevue’s Odle Middle School captured first place for the fourth year in a row. For the first time, however, the championship team has two girls on its five-member roster.

Megan Lee in 7th grade playing Board 2 and Leanne Hwa in 6th grade playing Board 5, both scored perfect 5.0/5. These girls have had many accomplishments in their short chess-playing endeavors: they are both nationally ranked on the various USCF-maintained Top Player Lists and both played in the prestigious Susan Polgar Invitational for Girls national tournament in the past (Megan Lee in 2007 and Leanne Hwa in 2008).

It was refreshing to see girls from several schools participating in this tournament. As in typical chess contests, boys far outnumber girls, especially at middle and high school levels. For these motivated girls, chess must be a very “cool thing”!

Links: http://www.whsca.org/ and http://www.whsca.org/MSTeam.html

Special thanks to Howard Hwa for sending us the picture and article!

Over $150K in scholarships and chess prizes

June 4 to 7, 2009	South Point · Hotel · Casino · Spa
LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL

Susan Polgar World Open for Girls and Boys
Championship · June 6-7, 2009

Enter Now! Championship Side Events Chess Camp Breakfast with Susan

Over $150,000 in college scholarships and chess prizes!

The Polgar Committee will award automatic qualifying spots to the winners in each section of the 2009 annual Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls!

5 Round		USCF Rated Swiss System Tournament
Time Control		Game/45 minutes
8 Sections		Girls Under 19 · Boys Under 19 · Born after June 6th, 1990 Girls Under 14 · Boys Under 14 · Born after June 6th, 1995 Girls Under 11 · Boys Under 11 · Born after June 6th, 1998 Girls Under 8 · Boys Under 8 · Born after June 6th, 2001
Trophies		Top 10 individuals in each section Top 3 (3-player) school/club teams each section Special Medals to 11th-20th Individuals and 4th-6th Teams
Prizes		1st in each section MonRoi Personal Chess Manager 2nd - 5th $200-$150-$100-$50 in chess prizes
Scholarships		to Texas Tech will be awarded based in part on performance in this event.
Entry Fee		$45 by 1/29, $55 by 5/19, $65 by 6/3, $75 on site.
Registration		Friday 4-8 p.m. & Saturday 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Rounds		Saturday 11 a.m, 1:30 p.m & 4 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m & 12:30 p.m. Opening Ceremony Saturday 10 a.m. Awards Ceremony Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Membership		in the U.S. Chess Federation is required of all players. You may join with your entry or on site. Players will not be allowed to complete the tournament without a valid membership.

In compliance with the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act all non-gaming areas of the South Point Hotel, including the Convention Center and restaurants, are NON-SMOKING.

South Point Hotel and Spa:

- Some of our many amenities include a 16-screen Century Theatre movie complex, 64-lane bowling center and a handful of restaurants that cater to all appetites and tastes.
- Our distinctive hotel features spacious rooms and suites with 42-inch plasma televisions, Point Plush mattresses and Wireless Fidelity throughout.
- A unique feature to this property is its Equestrian Center, which is the finest horse facility in the country.
- Recently, we have added a fabulous 400-seat showroom that features headliner entertainment and Show alldancing to live bands on weekends.

Girls only event in SLC

No boys allowed in this chess tourney
In SLC » Girls' Chess Championship players were of all ages.

By Natalie Dicou
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 03/04/2009 05:36:52 PM MST

About 60 girls from across the state faced off in Salt Lake City late last month at the Girls' Chess Championship, battling for the right to represent Utah at the Polgar Invitational for Girls in Texas this summer.

The tournament had a different look from typical male-dominated chess contests as Nibley Park Elementary School's gym filled with pony-tailed chess players who, at times, were as serious as a grandmaster, but, at other points, giggled with opponents.

Horizonte Instruction and Training Center student Jamie Olsen-Mills, a senior, took first place overall, winning a seat at the Polgar Invitational. The Salt Lake City teen acknowledged that few girls play chess compared with boys.

"I think girls can be easily discouraged from math, science, engineering -- that kind of thing. ... Chess is one of those things they'll shy away from," Olsen-Mills said.

Olsen-Mills, who attends Horizonte but plays with the West High chess team, has competed in tournaments since age 7.

"I love the psychology behind it," Olsen-Mills explained. "I'm a very psychological player. My style varies depending on who I'm playing."

Tournament director and competitive chess player Stephanie Pitcher -- who took a three-year hiatus from chess as a middle-schooler because she "didn't want to be seen as the nerd" -- acknowledges that the chess world is full of stereotypes, such as, "Chess is nerdy" and "Chess is a boys' game." Pitcher hopes girls won't buy into that thinking.

After taking her middle-school years off, Pitcher started playing chess again and rose up the ranks of the Utah chess world, winning the women's state championship five times.

She said that for every 10 boys who play chess, one girl plays.

Chess, however, might be gaining momentum among Utah girls. The number of Girls' Chess Championship participants jumped from about 40 to about 60 from 2008 to 2009. Pitcher attributes this to the growing number of in-school programs.

It's a trend Pitcher would like to see continue.

"I feel so strongly for chess," Pitcher said. "I've had so many benefits from chess, [including] receiving international recognition."

Here is the full story.

Spreading Chess in South Carolina

Area chess player wants other students to learn love of game

Sunday, March 1, 2009 11:23 PM EST

EDGEFIELD -- Using money given to her by the South Carolina Chess Association for expenses incurred representing the state at the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls Chess tournament in Lubbock, Texas, Hannah “Tori” Whatley is helping local schools start chess programs.

The 13-year-old Merriwether Middle School student wants to donate three chess sets to schools that are within a 10-mile drive of her own school, in hopes of fostering chess competitions and new friendships.

The schools are Mossy Creek Elementary, Hammond Hills Elementary, North Augusta Elementary, Paul Knox Middle School and North Augusta Middle School.

The principals or assistant principals of the schools can send an e-mail to whatleydavid@bellsouth.net letting her know how to get in touch with whomever will be leading the school’s chess club.

Tori and her father, David Whatley, will deliver the sets and provide support on how to set up and run a chess club. David Whatley is the coach of the Merriwether Mavericks Scholastic Chess Team.

Whatley can be reached at (803) 442-9060.

$150K in college scholarships and chess prizes

LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL
June 4 to 7, 2009

At the magnificent South Point Hotel and Spa

Enter Now!

Championship

Side Events

Chess Camp

Breakfast with Susan

Susan Polgar World Open for Girls and Boys
June 5-7, 2009

Over $150,000 in college scholarships and chess prizes!

• The Susan Polgar World Open Chess Championship for Girls June 6-7
  The Susan Polgar World Open Chess Championship for Boys June 6-7
  • Scholarships to Texas Tech will be awarded based in part on performance in these events.
• The Susan Polgar International Chess Camp (for all ages) June 4
• The Susan Polgar World Open Chess Puzzle Solving Contest for Girls and Boys June 5
• Free lecture by Susan Polgar for all players, as well as accompanying parents and coaches June 5
• A Tandem Simul by Susan Polgar against up to 70 players June 5
• The Susan Polgar World Open Blitz Chess Championship for Girls and Boys June 6
• Breakfast with Susan June 7

In compliance with the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act all non-gaming areas of the South Point Hotel, including the Convention Center and restaurants, are NON-SMOKING.

http://www.vegaschessfestival.com/polgar/

South Point Hotel and Spa:

- Some of our many amenities include a 16-screen Century Theatre movie complex, 64-lane bowling center and a handful of restaurants that cater to all appetites and tastes.
- Our distinctive hotel features spacious rooms and suites with 42-inch plasma televisions, Point Plush mattresses and Wireless Fidelity throughout.
- A unique feature to this property is its Equestrian Center, which is the finest horse facility in the country.
- Recently, we have added a fabulous 400-seat showroom that features headliner entertainment and dancing to live bands on weekends.

2009 SP National Invitational for Girls

Rules and Conditions for the Annual Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls (February 2009)
July 26 - 31 at Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas

The annual Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls, the most prestigious all-girls event in the United States, will be held at the Frazier Pavilion at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Starting time of each round will be at 1:30 P.M., except for round 1 and 6.

Round 1 will be at 3:00 PM and round 6 will be at 10 AM., and the time control is 90 minutes for the entire game with 30 seconds increment added per move. This is the approved FIDE time control. Pre-tournament registration is required.

The open ceremony will be at 1:30 PM on July 26. The closing ceremony will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of the last game on July 31.

Each state is allowed one representative. Official representative alternates may be substituted no later than June 1. (If there are an odd number of entrants in the tournament, Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee Chairperson may allow the host state to enter an additional qualified player.) Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee Chairperson (Mr. Dewain Barber amchesseq@aol.com) may allow exceptions to the June 1 entry/alternate deadline. Should the state affiliate fail to respond to the notice for this tournament, Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee Chairperson and/or USCF may determine the candidate from that state.

Players must be under the age of 19 as of August 15th of the year in which the tournament is held. Players must have been enrolled in a school (up to 12th grade) located in the state they represent, also of the year in which the tournament is held. Home-schooled students who are under the age of 19 on August 15th of the year in which the tournament is held, students 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 will be the responsibility of the players and of the state official certifying the representative and alternate.

Exception: If a player graduates from high school early and is already attending college, she may still represent her state if nominated. This is the decision of each state affiliate. Players attending college already may not win the scholarship. In such cases scholarship(s) go to the next tournament winner.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Unlike the Denker Tournament of High School Champions, the participants of the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls DO NOT have to be high school students. Any qualifier under the age of 19 (by August 15th of the year in which the tournament is held) is eligible!

Players are required to play in and complete all six rounds of the tournament. Failure to do so, without permission of the Tournament Director, results in a forfeiture of games and expense monies.

Players are required to furnish the Tournament Director with a legible and complete score sheet.

Players are required to furnish the Tournament Director an emergency phone number and the e-mail address of a parent/guardian.

Players are responsible for their own travel and hotel expenses.

If players choose to stay on TTU’s campus, players who complete the tournament will receive free accommodation (based on double occupancy; small, additional fees for single rooms or to share with family members may occur) on campus at Texas Tech University. In addition, all participants will receive free meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 6 days = 18 meals per player). Both are being provided by TTU Provost Office, SPICE and the Susan Polgar Foundation.

The prize fund, sponsored by the Susan Polgar Foundation and the U.S. Chess Trust, are $1,250 divided into four scholarship prizes: 1st ($500), 2nd ($300), 3rd ($250), and 4th ($200). These prizes are paid to the players directly by the U.S. Chess Trust and the Susan Polgar Foundation, but only upon receipt of proof of enrollment in a college, university, trade, community, or technical school.

In addition, a $500 Ursula Foster scholarship is also awarded to the highest finisher under the age of 14. The scholarship is divided in the case of a tie.

The winner of the tournament is crowned the Susan Polgar National Invitational Champion. Co-champions are recognized in the case of a tie, with each champion receiving a Champion’s Plaque or Trophy.

Texas Tech University agrees to award a four-year academic scholarship (to attend TTU) to the highest finishing player who has not graduated from high school by August. The scholarship must begin the following year. Tie-break calculations will be used in the case of a tie for the TTU scholarship, in the following order:

a. Modified Median
b. Solkoff
c. Cumulative
d. Cumulative of Opposition.

The Polgar Committee’s goal is to have all 50 states (including two representatives for California and two for Texas) and the District of Columbia represented. We strongly encourage each state and the District of Columbia affiliate to hold a scholastic championship tournament to determine each state’s champion and representative. Failing this, rating criteria may be acceptable.

A scholastic girls’ champion or the highest rated girls’ scholastic player in a state who has no state affiliate of the USCF should contact the Polgar Committee Chairman. The Chairman, currently, is Mr. Dewain Barber (amchesseq@aol.com).

Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee Chairman (Mr. Dewain Barber amchesseq@aol.com) and its members may elect to award 2 or more wild cards each year for the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls.

Additional Optional Events:

a. Susan Polgar National Invitational Blitz Championship for Girls
b. Susan Polgar National Invitational Puzzle Solving Contest for Girls
c. Susan Polgar National Invitational Chess Training Program for Girls

These events are open to all participants and alumni of the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls.

The Polgar Committee will also award three automatic qualifying spots at the 2009 SuperNationals Chess Championship to the top finishing girl in the open division of the elementary (K-6), of the junior high (K-9), and of the high school (K-12) sections. Further, the Polgar Committee will award automatic qualifying spots to the reigning winners in each section of the annual Susan Polgar National Open Championship for Girls, the annual Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls, and all current qualifiers of the Susan Polgar All-Star Girl’s Chess Team (must meet age requirement).

Contact info: The Susan Polgar Foundation can be contacted at 806-742-7742 (phone) or through PolgarFoundation@aol.com (email).

NOTICE TO ALL STATE OFFICIALS: Please send the nomination from your state to Mr. Dewain Barber (amchesseq@aol.com), Chairperson of the Polgar Committee.

$250,000 in scholarships and chess prizes

Chess Grandmaster Presides Over Peoria Tournament

PEORIA, Ariz. (Feb. 3, 2009) – Chess Grandmaster Susan Polgar will play 64 opponents simultaneously the evening of Friday, Feb. 13, to kick off a weekend of chess at Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria.

On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14-15, the Susan Polgar National Open Chess Championship for Boys and the Susan Polgar National Open Championship for Girls will be held at the same location. The weekend events will include prizes, trophies, teaching events and eligible high school players competing for college scholarships.

“This is a great event for Peoria and is part of Peoria’s commitment to youth education and chess,” said City Manager Carl Swenson. “We are excited to have Ms. Polgar as our guest.”

Born in Hungary but now living in New York, Polgar is one of the strongest female players ever, having been Women's World Chess Champion from 1996 until 1999. Back in 1986, she made history by being the first female player to qualify to compete in the Men's World Chess Championship.

In her Peoria exhibition, Polgar will take on the 64 opponents simultaneously at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13. Anybody can be one her challengers, simply be one of the first to register and pay a $30 fee the night of the event. Registration will continue until the start of play or until all the spots are filled.

Earlier in the day, Polgar will speak at a luncheon in the Development and Community Services Building (First floor, Point of View Room) on the Peoria Municipal Campus. Media are invited to attend; RSVP to Kelly Corsette at 623-773-7339.

The two championship tournaments will run through Saturday and Sunday, culminating with an awards ceremony Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The deadline to register online is 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13; phone registrations will be taken until 10 p.m. at 602-482-4867.

For more info, visit www.susanpolgar.com and www.chessemporium.com/tourney.php.

Chess Grandmaster Susan Polgar

Friday, Feb. 13, noon -- Luncheon with Remarks, Development and Community Services Building (Point of View Room, first floor), 9875 N. 85th Ave.
Friday, Feb. 13, 7:15 p.m. – Simultaneous games vs. 64 challengers, Sunrise Mountain High School, 21200 N. 83rd Ave.
Saturday, Feb. 14, all day – Tournament play at Sunrise Mountain High School.
Sunday, Feb. 15, all day – Tournament play at Sunrise Mountain High School.

Chess Poem

Chess
By Dana Hannibal

King, queen, and rook,
Find me in a book,
Bishop, knight, pawn,
Play me on your lawn.

King, strong yet weak,
When queen is out you must be meek,
Queen, full of power, pride,
Quick across the board wide,
Rook, as always is your fate,
Move only in lines straight,
Bishop, on diagonal tread,
To make a king bleed dark red,
Knight, your noble steed jumps high,
So you in dark tomb will not lie,
Pawn, smallest of them all,
Reach the end and you’ll grow tall.

King, queen, rook,
More than just a board or book,
Bishop, knight, pawn,
Chess, who’s beauty goes ever on.

Checkmate.

Susan Polgar 2008 All-Star Girls Chess Team

Susan Polgar 2008 All-Star Girls Chess Team

Age - Minimum Peak Rating

Age 6 & Under - 1300: None

Age 7 - 1400:

Liu, Hannah TX 1475

Age 8 - 1500: None

Age 9 - 1600:

Liao, Simone CA 1672
Xiang, Evan TX 1613

* Virkud, Apurva MI 1562 (within 100 pts)
* Ding, Kimberly NJ 1507 (within 100 pts)

Age 10 - 1700:

Peters, Epiphany MI 1711
Gologorsky, Rachel Gita FL 1707

*Hua, Margaret MO 1603 (within 100 pts)
*Poteat, Lilia NY 1598 (within 100 pts)

Age 11 - 1800:

Zhu, Caroline TX 1907
Chiang, Sarah TX 1898
Huang, Becky TX 1857
Xiang, Ellen TX 1814
Chen, Michelle MA 1811

Age 12 - 1900:

Lee, Megan WA 1902
Yang, Sylvia TX 1884

Age 13 - 2000: None

*Kats, Alena NY 1994 (within 100 pts)
*Matlin, Anna NJ 1915 (within 100 pts)

Age 14 - 2100:

*Dai, Yang VA 2038 (within 100 pts)
*Liu, Jennie NJ 1999 (within 100 pts)

Age 15 - 2150: None

Age 16 - 2200: None

Age 17 - 2250:

Melekhina, Alisa PA 2310

*Marshall, Abby VA 2151 (within 100 pts)

Age 18 - 2300: None

The ratings listed above are from the official October USCF rating list. However, some qualified based on their peek ratings on previous lists.

Everyone who made the SP All-Star team will receive the special SP Team Jacket AND are invited to the SP All-Star Girl’s Chess Camp which will take place on July 19-24, 2009. In addition, members of the SP All-Star team also automatically qualified for the SP National Invitational for Girls to be held on July 26-31. Both events will be held on Texas Tech University campus in Lubbock, TX.

All players who are within 100 points are also invited to the SP All-Star Girl’s Chess Camp.

Master the French volume 1-3

Brand new 3-volume Opening DVD! They just came out and are now available on http://www.polgarchess.com/.

2009 Susan Polgar National Open for Girls and Boys

Susan Polgar National Open for Girls and Boys
Over $100,000 in scholarships and chess prizes, including 8 laptop computers!
February 13-16, Phoenix, AZ

Organized and Directed by Susan Polgar Foundation and Chess Emporium, LLC.

7SS, G/45, USCF & ASCF Rated (Current Membership for either organization is sufficient). Sunrise Mountain High School, 21200 N 83rd Ave, Glendale, AZ 85382.

Section: All-Girls : Primary (K-2); Elementary (3-5); Middle School (6-8), High School. Winners will qualify for the 2009 SP National Invitational for girls if age eligible.

Open (Boys/Girls): Primary (K-2); Elementary (3-5); Middle School (6-8), High School.

Scholarships to Texas Tech University will be offered (Must meet entrance requirements and chess tournament scholarship criteria). 

Parents/Adults: All ages.

Prizes (All Scholastic Sections): Laptop Computer to 1st, $200 (in Chess Prizes) to 2nd, $150 to 3rd $100 to 4th, $50 to 5th. All the above are in kind, chess prizes such as chess books/DVDs etc and not a cash prize. Digital Clock to 7-0 score, Trophies to top 20 Individuals, Trophies to top 3 teams, Medals to 21st-30th Individuals, Medals to 4-6th Teams, Trophies to top 3 Parent/Child/Sibling Teams. Adult Section: $300-$200-$150-$100 in cash prizes, based on 20 paid entries.

EF: $55 by 1/10; $59 by 1/24; $65 by 2/6; $69 after. On Site registration will receive Rd 1 (1/2 pt) bye. Byes: (1/2 pt) must be scheduled by the start of round 2.

Schedule: Opening Ceremony Sat 2/14 9:00 am;

Rounds: Sat 9:15am, 11:30am 1:30pm, 3:30pm; Sun 9:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm.

Side-Events: Puzzle Solving Championship Fri Feb 13 6:00pm. EF: $15 if by 2/6; $20 after. Registration closes 5:30pm Fri 2/13.

Susan Polgar 64 Board Simultaneous Exhibition Fri Feb 13 7:15pm.

EF: $25 by 2/6; $30 after. Registration closes 7:00pm Fri Feb 13 (Limit 1st 64 entries).

Bughouse Championship 5 Double Rd Swiss, G/5.

Prizes: Trophies top 10 teams (Sun 3:30 Awards Ceremony).

Rounds: 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm.

EF (Team): $20 by 2/6; $25 after. Registration closes 6:00pm.

Susan Polgar Lecture Sat 2/14 12:30-1:30pm.

EF: Free.

Blitz Championship 5 Double Rd Swiss, G/5.

Section: Primary (K-2); Elementary (3-5); Middle School (6-8), High School / Adults U1600.

Prizes: Primary - trophies to top 10, Elementary – trophies to top 10, Middle School – Trophies to top 10, High School / Adult U1600 – trophies to top 5 (Sun 3:30 Awards Ceremony).

Rounds: 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm.

EF: $20 by 2/6; $25 after. Registration closes 5:30pm.

Susan Polgar 64 Board Simultaneous Exhibition Sun Feb 15 5:30pm.

EF: $25 by 2/6; 30 after. Registration closes 5:00pm Sun Feb 15 (Limit 1st 64 entries).

Susan Polgar Chess Camp (am) Mon Feb 15th 9:00am-12:30pm.

EF: $49 by 2/6; $59 after.

Susan Polgar Chess Camp (pm) Mon Feb 15th 1:30pm-5:00.

EF: $49 by 2/6; $59 after.

ENT: online registration available at www.chessemporium.com, or mail entry form to Chess Emporium, 10801 N. 32nd St, Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85028.

Info or Phone Credit Card entries: 602-482-4867.

E-mail Kids@chessemporium.com.

Cancellations: No later than Feb 11, 7:00pm. 80% refund only.

Other Info: Chief TD: Scott Freneaux; Assistant Matthew Okunevich; Pairing Director AJ Pheasant.

Vendors: Chess Emporium – Books, Chess Equipment, Clocks, T-Shirts.

Sponsors: Chess Emporium, City of Peoria.

Accommodation: Hampton Inn, 8408 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, AZ 85382. 623-486-9918 @ $159. Holiday Inn Express, 16771 N. 84th Ave., Peoria, AZ 85382. 623-853-1313 @ $139. Or possible better rates for hotel and air at Diamond Travel at 602-870-9197....ask for Eldon.