Karpov International School of Chess

ANATOLY KARPOV INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHESS
106 South Main Street., Lindsborg, Kansas 67456
785-227-2224 – Internet site: http://www.anatolykarpovchessschool.org

Press Release

Contact: Marck Cobb 316-708-3698 or Wes Fisk 785-227-4121

Anatoly Karpov Chess School Awards Scholarships

The Anatoly Karpov International School of Chess, Lindsborg, awarded scholarships to nine Kansas students at an awards ceremony Friday at the Rosberg Conference Center at Lindsborg. The affair, hosted by Marck R. Cobb, president of the International Chess Institute of the Midwest, recognized the achievements of students of the Karpov Chess School who medaled in the 2007 Kansas Scholastic Championships. “We wanted to recognize those students who achieved success at the state tournament, and we also wanted to give scholarships to deserving students to attend our summer chess camp,” said Cobb.

Cobb announced the nine winners of this year’s scholarships to an audience of honorees, parents, and local dignitaries. Those presented with scholarships included Charles Arbuckle, McPherson; Isaiah Jesch, Conway Springs; Sean Bocks, Galva; Nathan Bray, Galva; Duane Tate, Wichita; Ben Bosworth, Hillsboro; Doug Coyle, Canton; Levi Lawless, Galva, and Paul Masterson, Lindsborg.

The recipients of the scholarships will attend the weeklong Anatoly Karpov Summer Chess Camp that will be held July 8 through July 13 at Lindsborg. The camp will be the seventh annual chess camp to be held in Lindsborg. Grandmaster Yury Shulman, the second place winner of the 2006 U.S. Championship, will be the chief instructor at the camp.

Cobb awarded certificates of special recognition for those students of the Karpov Chess School who medaled at the Kansas Scholastic Championship. Middle School winners included Satoru Kishi, Wichita; Charles Kinzel, McPherson; Christopher Anton, Wichita; and Benjamin Gallman, Wichita. Cobb also recognized the high school students who medaled at the state championship: Isaiah Jesch, Conway Springs; Amos Schikowsky, Galva; Sam Reichert, Hays; Charles Arbuckle, McPherson; Drew French, McPherson; Layton Cobb, Galva; Paul Masterson, Lindsborg; and Levi Lawless, Galva.

“I am so impressed with each student and how they are demonstrating their expertise in the game of chess,” said State Representative Clark Shultz who assisted with the presentations. “Each student has worked hard to develop their thinking skills which will undoubtedly contribute to further success in the future. Each of these young persons should be very proud.”

Cobb also presented certificates of recognition to the Canton-Galva High School Chess Team for winning first place in the 2-A division at State, and also the Hillsboro High School Chess Guild for winning second place in the 3-A division.

“We want to thank the many individuals and businesses who contributed to make these scholarships possible,” said Cobb. He noted that individuals and organizations as far away as New York and Texas donated money to the school.

Cobb recounted the accomplishments of the chess school during its first year of operation, beginning in April 2006. Those included the teaching of over 200 students in Lindsborg, Salina, Hillsboro, Canton, and Galva. “We also had our summer chess camp last year, as well as helping with the scholastic tournament in Lindsborg.” The chess school also hosted the Lindsborg Open in December of 2006.

USD 400 and the famed chess school have a cooperative agreement whereby on-line chess classes are made available for USD 400 students through the Smoky Valley Virtual School. The Internet chess classes for students throughout the country are available through the chess school’s on-line chess program.

“We’re also actively searching for a new director,” said Cobb. We have several well qualified applicants, so we expect to make an offer to one of them very soon.”

The International Chess Institute of the Midwest operates the Anatoly Karpov International School of Chess, which is the first chess school in the U.S. to be established by seven-time World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov. Karpov has approximately 50 chess schools worldwide. ###