Home Page 
Press 2009 Samford Announcement
Press 2009 Samford Announcement | 2009 Samford Announcement |
|
|
| By Allen Kaufman | |
| November 5, 2008 | |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Allen Kaufman (718) 544-5036 [email protected] For the twenty-third consecutive year, the FRANK P. SAMFORD, JR. CHESS FELLOWSHIP announces its annual award. Designed to identify and assist the most promising American chessmasters under the age of twenty‑five, this program was created by the late Frank P. Samford, Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama. It is now guided by Mr. Samford's son, Frank P. Samford III of Atlanta, Georgia and administered by Barbara DeMaro of the U. S. Chess Trust. In the past one new Fellow was selected each year to serve a two-year term. This year two Fellows were chosen; they were intended to represent the 2008 and 2009 winners. However, it has been found possible to add yet another winner for next year and we are therefore seeking applications for a new Samford Fellow to begin his or her two-year term on July 1, 2009. The 2009 Samford Chess Fellow will receive a monthly stipend for living expenses, training by leading chess coaches, chess books and other study materials as well as opportunities to travel and compete in tournaments and/or matches at the highest levels. The value of each fellowship (stipend, training, materials and tournament expenses) will approximate $36,000 per year. The winner will be selected by the Samford Chess Fellowship Committee ("Committee"), consisting of Frank P. Samford III, Grandmaster Arthur Bisguier and International Master John Donaldson. Each applicant must have been a permanent resident of the U.S. for at least one year prior to June 30, 2009 and must not have reached his or her 25th birthday by that date. The applicants must be able to demonstrate talent, achievement and commitment to chess. The winner must spend the majority of his time studying and playing chess beginning July 1, 2009. He or she must be willing to make the effort required to become a leading grandmaster and possible challenger for the World Championship Applicants must have a chess rating (either USCF or FIDE). For further details and an application form write to: Allen Kaufman, Secretary Samford Chess Fellowship 108-37 71st Avenue, #8G Forest Hills, NY 11375-4512 Completed applications for the 2009 Fellowship must be received no later than January 15, 2009. We expect to announce the winner during April, 2009. All decisions by the Committee will be final. The late Mr. Frank P. Samford, Jr. created the Samford Fellowship as a way of making a significant contribution in America to the game he loved. If qualified applicants can be found a new Fellow will be selected every year. It is expected that the Samford Fellowship will continue to produce very strong players, some of whom will join the elite group of world supergrandmasters. We are delighted that the Samford Fellowship has inspired other efforts to assist young American chessplayers. The Samford, however, remains by far the richest program that aids young American chessmasters. Funding for this program has been provided by the generosity of Mrs. Virginia Donovan, widow of the late Frank P. Samford, Jr., and by Torchmark Corporation |
