(Crossville) More than 2000 K-6 students from over 45 states will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, May 11-13. They will pit mind against mind across a chess board as they compete in the 2007 Burt Lerner National Elementary Chess Championship. Accompanied by another 2000 parents, teachers, and coaches, this entourage will help students from Kindergarten through 6th grade prepare, play, analyze, and play again throughout the grueling three days and seven rounds. The annual national championship is held this year at Nashville’s Opryland Hotel and is organized by the United States Chess Federation, (USCF).

Side events include Blitz Championship (5 minutes per game) and Bughouse Championship (2 player teams compete on 2 boards) tournaments as well as a “Friends and Family” competition for prizes.

In addition, GM Susan Polgar will take on 24 players (on 24 boards!) at one time in what is known as a simultaneous exhibition. Josh Waitzkin, of “Searching for Bobby Fischer” fame, will sign copies of his new book, “The Art of Learning.” All proceeds from the book signings will go to research at the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Additional details are available at our 2007 Burt Lerner National Elementary Chess Championship website located at: http://www.uschess.org/tournaments/2007/elem/.

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The United States Chess Federation (USCF), founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is now headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee. USCF 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 over 80,000 members. For additional information on the USCF see: http://www.uschess.org.