Baltimore, MD, Jan. 9, 2009 -- The Kasparov Chess Foundation is sponsoring the first-ever Greater Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Team and Individual Chess Championships. The K - 12 Championships is co-sponsored by ChessPro and will take place on Jan. 24 - 25, 2009 at the Hilton Pikesville Hotel, 1726 Reisterstown Rd., Baltimore, MD 21208.

The competition is divided into eight separate, 5-round Swiss-style one-day tournaments. Each game is 30 minutes per player and each section of each tournament awards prizes for the top-scoring players and schools. Any number of players may participate from a school to help compete for team prizes (2 or more from a school qualify as a team). Players without school teams can compete for individual prizes.

Trophies will be awarded to the top 8 players in each section and top 4 schools. Trophies will also be given to the top four kindergarteners in the Primary Novice section. As an added prize, top individual players in each section will also receive free entry into ChessPro weekend chess camps, a savings of hundreds of dollars.

Following is the tournament schedule:

Sat., Jan. 24, 2009 First Round starts at 10:00 am

Primary Championships:

Section 1: Primary Varsity K - 3; open to all Primary School students
Section 2: Primary Novice K - 3; open to all Primary School students rated under 700, or unrated

Jr. High Championships: Section 1: Jr. High Varsity K - 9; open to all Jr High School students
Section 2: Jr. High Novice K - 9; open to all Jr. High School students rated under 1000, or unrated

Sun., Jan. 25, 2009 First Round starts at 10:00 am

Elementary Championships: Section 1: Primary Varsity K - 3; open to all Primary School students
Section 2: Primary Novice K - 3; open to all Primary School students rated under 700, or unrated

High School Championships: Section 1: High School Varsity K - 12; open to all High School students
Section 2: High School Novice K - 12; open to all High School students rated under 1200, or unrated

How to Enter

Those interested in participating in the tournament may send entry fee via check or money order made out to ChessPro in the amount of $30 (postmarked by Jan. 10, 2009):

ChessPro

14 Hartley Circle, Suite 532

Owings Mills, MD, 21117

On-site entry fee is $40. On-site registration ends at 9:15 am on the day of the tournament. Those registering on-site after 9:15 am will skip the first round game. Please bring chess sets and clocks, as none will be provided by event organizers.

For questions- please call ChessPro at (443) 660-8025.

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.