WHAT
A chess tournament for girls only to determine this year's National Champions.

WHO
The tournament is sponsored by the Kasparov Chess Foundation in association with the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation and the US Chess Federation (USCF).  USCF President Ruth Haring will be in attendance at the tournament and at the opening and award ceremonies.

WHY
The championship tournament will draw over 300 of the country's top female chess players from public, private, charter and home schools across America; inner city schools will be represented by New York's Harlem Children's Zone, PS 41 and PS 116 and Chicago Public Schools including Decatur Classical, Kinzie Elementary, Metcalfe Academy and Oglesby Montessori.

Players will compete to become this year's National Chess Champions in the following age categories: Under 8; Under 10; Under Under 12; Under 14; Under 16; Under 18.

WHEN

Main Event

Friday April 11: Opening Ceremony: 6:00 PM
Friday April 11: Rounds 1; 6:30 PM
Saturday April 12: Rounds 2 - 4; 10:00 AM, 2:30 PM & 6:30 PM
Sunday April 13: Rounds 5 - 6; 9:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Sunday April 13: Awards Ceremony: 5:00 PM

Side Events

Friday April 11, 1:00 PM - Bughouse Tournament   
Friday April 11, 3:00 PM - Blitz Tournament G/5

WHERE
All events will be hosted at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Northbrook, 2875 N Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Richard Krueger   
Kasparov Chess Foundation
(212) 784-9273
[email protected]

David Heiser
Renaissance Knights
(773) 844-0701

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 http://www.kasparovchessfoundation.org.

About Renaissance Knights
Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation is a non-profit educational organization which provides affordable, fun and high quality chess education programs to schools and community groups in the Chicago area. Through our Chess for Chicago initiative we sponsor programs for and provide equipment to Title I schools. We also organize local and regional tournaments and community events. For more information, please visit http://www.renaissanceknights.org.
 
About The USCF
The United States Chess Federation, founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and 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 more than 90,000 members. For more information, please see http://www.uschess.org.