Chicago, IL, Oct. 18, 2011 -- Kasparov Chess Foundation announced the Ninth Annual National All-Girls Chess Championships, to be held in downtown Chicago, IL, at the Swissotel, April 20 - 22, 2011. The non-profit chess educational organization, founded by world chess champion Garry Kasparov, is hosting this year's tournament in association with the Renaissance Knights Chess Club and the United States Chess Federation (USCF).

This year, as in previous years, the tournament welcomes girls from public, private and home-schools. Teams will compete within the following age categories: 8 years old and younger; 10 years old and younger; 12 years old and younger; 14 years old and younger; 16 years old and younger; 18 years old and younger.

"When we started the tournament nearly a decade ago, we envisioned a competition open to all female students from all over the United States," said Michael Khodarkovsky, President of Kasparov Chess Foundation. "We have realized our vision, as the All Girls Chess CHampionships has turned into much more than a tournament - it's a celebration for young women, who share a similar passion for the game of chess," he added.

All events will be hosted at the luxurious Swissotel Hotel; 323 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60611; Phone: 888-737-9477. A special chess rate of $169, that includes full breakfast, will be offered to participants and their families if reserved by March 15, 2012.

The tournament schedule follows:

Main Event, Six Round Swiss System, G/90:
Fri., April 20: Opening Ceremony: 6:00 PM
Fri., April 20: Round 1; 6:30 PM
Sat., April 21: Rounds 2 - 4; 10:00 AM, 2:30 PM 7 6:30 PM
Sun., April 22: Rounds 5 - 6; 9:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Sun., April 22: Awards Ceremony: 5:00 PM

Trophies will be awarded to the top 15 individual players and top three teams in each section. Three or more players from the same school make up a team (team scores will be calculated based on the top 3 scores to give teams their final standings). All players will receive a souvenir to honor their participation.

Side Events
In addition to the main competition, several side events will be taking place. Following is the schedule of side events:

Bughouse Tournament
Friday April 20, 1:00 PM
Entry fee: $25 per team

Blitz Tournament G/5
Friday April April 20, 3:00 PM
Entry fee: $15 if p/m by April 19, $20 on site

Enter Early and Save
The tournament is now accepting entry applications for participants. Entry fee: $50 if postmarked by March 25, 2011; $70 if by April 8, 2011, $85 by April 19, or $90 on-site. On site registration is $90.
All participants are required to be members of the US Chess Federation (USCF), www.uschess.org. Applicants can either register online by visiting www.renaissanceknights.org/allgirls or www.kasparovchessfoundation.org, or via mail.

Make checks payable to RKnights
Attn: All Girls
P.O. Box 1074
Northbrook, IL 60065
Tel: (773) 844-0701

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.

About About Renaissance Knights
Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation is a non-profit educational organization which provides affordable, fun and high quality chess education to schools and community groups through after school enrichment and in the classroom programs in the Chicago area. Through our Chess for Chicago initiative we sponsor chess programs and equipment for title I schools. We also organize local and regional tournaments and community events. For more information, please visit

About The USCF
The United States Chess Federation, founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. It promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, and as a means for the improvement of society. The USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization with more than 90,000 members. For more information, please see http://www.uschess.org.