Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE)
“The goal of SPICE is to work with our friends and colleagues to enhance chess, education, technology, and research. I strongly believe that College Chess is a critical bridge between Scholastic and Adult Chess. If we can successfully promote College Chess, we will retain a lot more of our scholastic players and transition them to Adult Chess.
“Chess as a sport is not big enough yet and there is plenty of room to grow. Therefore, it is vital that we work together and assist each other for the best interest of our sport.”
-Susan Polgar, Executive Director of SPICE
20 national, 5 state, and many additional titles, in addition to the national #1 ranking in College Chess in 5 years (2007-2012).
Now a new chapter at Webster University (www.WebsterChess.com) as the #1 College Chess program in the United States.
Webster students are around the world. There are 22,000 students enrolled at Webster University – with students from 50 states and 148 countries around the world.
Five schools and colleges. Guided by Webster’s interdisciplinary vision to ensure that every student receives a highly personal education.
College of Arts and Sciences
George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology
Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts
School of Communications
School of Education
Webster University offers academic excellence in more than 100 programs offered at a vibrant home campus and at locations throughout the world, with all the benefits of a student-centered education and a real-world perspective.
SPICE Mission
– To be the premier center for chess education, research, technology, and outreach in the nation
– To be a leader in promoting chess as a vehicle for enriching the education of children
– To be a leader in promoting women’s chess
– To recruit outstanding undergraduate and graduate students to Webster University
– To bring national and international recognition to Webster University
– To support and promote competitive chess at the college level
– To support the nation’s most elite chess program http://www.webster.edu/spice
http://websterchess.blogspot.com
Below is the list of Grandmasters enrolling at Webster University in the Fall of 2012 – Spring 2013:
The Webster University Chess Team is ranked #1 in the United States for the 2012-2013 season.
March 2013 FIDE ratings
GM Wesley So (Freshman) Philippines 2701
GM Georg Meier (Sophomore – Co-Captain) Germany 2652
GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez (Freshman) Cuba 2617
GM Ray Robson (Freshman) USA 2618
GM Manuel Leon Hoyos (Freshman) Mexico 2582
GM Anatoly Bykhovsky (Junior – Co-Captain) Israel 2515
GM Denes Boros (Junior) Hungary 2503
GM Andre Diamant (Sophomore) Brazil 2479
IM Vitaly Neimer (Israel), FM Jake Banawa (Philippines), WIM Inna Agrest (Sweden)…
Past titled players: GM Gergely Antal, GM Gabor Papp, GM Davorin Kuljasevic, GM Elshan Moradiabadi, IM Istvan Sipos, IM Faik Aleskerov, etc.
If you would like to be a part of the #1 College Chess program in the United States, please feel free to contact me at SusanPolgar@aol.com. Full and partial scholarships available for qualified student players of all levels.
Chess Team Accomplishments
The Webster University chess team has been ranked #1 in Division I College Chess since its inception in August 2012. It has never relinquished the top ranking.
Additional collegiate chess records
• 1st team in history (Webster University) to be ranked #1 in the nation in the first year of forming a team (2012)
• 1st team in history (Webster University) to qualify for the Final Four in the first year of forming a team (2012)
• 1st team in history (Webster University) to be seeded #1 in the Final Four in the first year of forming a team (2013)
• 1st female (Susan Polgar) to coach a men’s team to the National Championship (2011)
• 1st female (Susan Polgar) to coach a men’s team to back to back National Championships (2011-2012)
• 1st female (Susan Polgar) to coach a men’s team to 3 straight National Championships (2011-2013)
• 1st coach, male or female, to win National Championships with 2 different schools (TTU 2011-2012, and Webster U 2013)
• 1st college team with 4 GMs (Fall 2011)
• 1st college team with 5 GMs (Spring 2012)
• 1st college team with 8 GMs (Fall 2012)
• Most points scored in the Final Four (April 2013 – Webster University finished with 9.5 points)
• Largest margin of victory in the Final Four (April 2013 – Webster University finished 2.5 points ahead of 2nd place UTD)
• 1st person (Susan Polgar) to be named College Chess Coach of the Year (April 2013)
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 14, 2011 – Webster University’s Study Abroad programs rank in the top 2 percent of the 1,600 colleges and universities surveyed in the just-released “America’s Best Colleges” 2012 edition of U.S. News & World Report. Webster is one of just 27 U.S. institutions to share this distinction, which recognizes study abroad programs that involve substantial academic work for credit and considerable interaction between the student and the culture.
In addition to Webster, other schools cited for their excellent study abroad programs include American University, Boston University, Carleton College, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Georgetown University, Middlebury College, New York University and Syracuse University, according to the U.S. News report.
“The U.S. News & World Report rankings are a confirmation of everything that makes Webster University a first-choice institution for students seeking global academic excellence,” said Webster University President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble. “The report highlights our longtime and growing commitment to global study and global citizenship, which is recognized throughout the United States and around the world.”
Overall, Webster University continues as a Tier 1 institution. With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses.
Founded in 1915, Webster University’s campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional residential campuses in Asia, Europe and North America. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.
This is fantastic.