2008 Summer Chess Academy

2008 Summer Chess Academy

Mission:

Checkmate Chess Instruction is a registered Arizona business which teaches the positive aspects of chess to the youth of the valley area. Numerous studies show that children who learn and play chess improve their critical thinking skills and learn the important lesson that there are consequences for their decisions and actions. Equally important is the positive social interaction the kids have as they make new friends from around the valley.

In the past, I organized one-week summer chess camps with top-rated chess instructors. While the camps were considered to be successful, three things became clear to me over time — first, the cost was prohibitive for many children and they were unable to attend; second, just as the kids were finishing out the camp, their interest in chess was at a peak and they were eager for advanced study; and third, I could see that if serious and motivated young people had the chance to study with master-level and internationally-titled chess instructors for more than a week, that this would help them to both dramatically increase their understanding of chess and also improve their competitive results.

That is why I became deeply involved in an historic, new project – an all-day, two-week, not-for-profit, Summer Chess Academy for our valley’s kids. Our inaugural 2007 camp was a stunning success which provided a fun and in-depth learning experience for more than 100 young people in a healthy and secure environment. We received the official written endorsement of Rachel E. Lieberman, the Director of Prevention Programs for the U.S. Chess Federation.

Our success is due to our excellent instructional and administrative staff, organization, and course materials. Three of the very best and highly sought-after chess instructors in the U.S., Grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov, and International Masters Nikolay Andrianov and Ben Finegold teach along with several master-level instructors such as Joel Johnson, Steve Mayer, and Daniel Rensch for all two weeks. All of our instructors have a great love for chess and excel at working with children and young people.

Our administrative staff are all certified education professionals who work with children and young people on a year-round basis. Their expertise allows our camp to operate seamlessly. We have a certified physical education instructor who conducts structured P.E. sessions with games and activities two to three times a day, every day, so that our students get the physical activity which they need. Healthy snacks and bottled water are also provided for our students. Each Summer Chess Academy student receives their own binder with course materials, a tournament-style chess set, and a Summer Chess Academy T-shirt.

My ultimate goal is to have the Summer Chess Academy receive enough corporate and grant-related sponsorship so that it can operate on a tuition-free basis and assist children and young people who would like to study chess in-depth on a year-round basis. The actual cost is $420 per child or $42,000 for all 100 children to make the 2008 Summer Chess Academy possible –- if this camp were run on a commercial basis, it would cost about $2,000 per child to attend.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to the 2008 Summer Chess Academy through our dedicated account with the Tempe Impact Education (TIE) Foundation. The TIE Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. If you are a business owner or are employed in the private sector, I would be happy to talk with you about corporate sponsorship opportunities. If you are a parent and would like to discuss scholarships or financial assistance, please contact me.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I really appreciate it. I hope you will be able to join with the Summer Chess Academy in making an investment in the education of our children and young people -– it is one that is sure to repay itself many times over.

Sincerely,
Alan Anderson, President
Checkmate Chess Instruction

When & Where:
June 9-20, 2008.
Meyer Elementary School
2615 S. Dorsey LaneTempe, AZ 85282.

Registration:
Contact Alan AndersonPhone: (480) 966-9542
Email: Checkm8chess@aol.com