New York, NY, Feb. 23, 2006 -- The Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF) and United States Chess Federation (USCF) announced today that KCF will serve as the official sponsor for both the Men's and Women's US Chess Olympiad teams for the next three chess Olympiads, which are scheduled to take place in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

The Kasparov Chess Foundation is no stranger to the Chess Olympiads. The not-for-profit organization dedicated to chess education throughout the schools, previously conducted an extensive training program and served as sponsor for the 2004 US Women's Olympiad Team. By capturing Silver for team performance, the US Women's Team took home the first US medals since the Chess Olympiad's inception in 1924. The international competition consisted of 87 teams from around the world.

"The sponsorship underscores the Foundation's mission to transform chess into a major cultural activity in the United States. We've seen how the success of our US Olympic Soccer program has helped make that sport one of the most popular among our youth. By financing our Olympiad chess teams through the end of the decade, we're ensuring that our country's best players will get the recognition they've worked so hard to achieve, while influencing younger players," said Michael Khodarkovsky, Kasparov Chess Foundation President.

USCF President Bill Goichberg adds, "The US Chess Federation is pleased that a substantial percentage of the cost of sending our teams to the next three chess Olympiads will be covered by the Kasparov Chess Foundation. Our association with KCF regarding the Olympiads began successfully in 2004, when our Women's Team won the Silver Medal. Our men's team placed fourth in 2004 and with the probable addition of two very strong players, US Champion Hikaru Nakamura and former FIDE World Championship finalist Gata Kamsky, we expect great things this year and in the future."

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/

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