Dear Chess Parent:
Welcome to Chess Mates!
Did you know that Chess Makes Kids Smart?
National studies reveal that children who participate in structured chess activities increase their overall academic performance, especially in reading, math and science. Some of you who have children in Chess Mates' clubs have already seen benefits associated with learning and playing chess.
Chess Mates is looking forward to the 2011-2012 school year, our 23rd year of providing after-school chess programs to Seattle public elementary and middle schools.
Our organization was started in 1989 by Henry Eisenhardt, a retired Seattle businessman. Henry's goal was to introduce children to the wonders of chess and to its educational benefits. Over time, the program was accepted in many schools and now Seattle is one of the country's leading scholastic chess communities.
Many schools, both public and private, offer chess clubs for their students. More than 1,200 students participated in the State Elementary Championships every year for the past several years and this movement just keeps growing. Chess Mates is proud to be a part of this thriving community!
Chess is one of the oldest strategy games known to humanity. It teaches concentration, patience and planning. Every move (action) has consequences and children gain valuable lessons from it.
Chess Mates offers weekly after-school chess classes during the school year, October through April. This service, offered in 30 mostly elementary schools, is possible through the hard work and dedication of many volunteers who give their time, effort and talents to helping children reach their full academic potential. We provide participating schools with the chess equipment, teaching materials and administrative support needed to initiate, operate and maintain their chess clubs.
In addition to regular classes Chess Mates sponsors three major scholastic tournaments each year. The Fall Chess Kick-Off, (planned for November 19 this year), Winter Chess Fest (to be held in January) and Spring Chess Fest (traditionally held in March) tournaments are our big annual tournaments that bring together hundreds of children from local schools.
Every year approximately 100 to 150 students play their very first tournament game in our events! We also organize community-oriented chess events that show the remarkable abilities of children. Chess Mates held exhibits of students' chess artwork and simultaneous exhibition matches at the Seattle Art Museum in 2002 and 2004.
Several years ago Chess Mates introduced a program fee ($90 for 11/12) for the first time. With 20 to 25 chess lessons per season, it comes at just over $4 per class. The program fee helps to pay the costs of running the club programs and our tournaments and it is far below the amount students in private schools pay for a chess club, which is around $150-$300 per student. The program fee has been a success and has led to a stable grant support from the private sector of our community.
Children eligible for free or reduced lunch cost programs at their respective schools are accepted into Chess Mates program free of charge.
If you want to sponsor another child, please keep in mind that such donation can be tax deductible. Our programs are very efficient and your help will go a long way. If your company or organization provides matching contributions, your help can be doubled!
Participation in Chess Mates program is quite simple. To register your child, please fill out completely and return to your chess club coordinator the attached form.
Chess Mates Foundation is a 501-c(3) non-profit organization, partially dependent on donations for support of our programs. Your financial support lets us know that you value the benefits your child receives from chess.
Happy chess playing!
Happy chess playing!
Sincerely,
Georgi Orlov
1994
Executive Director