Women's World Chess Champiion Kosteniuk to Visit 9 Queens

This information is provided by Jean Hoffman from 9 Queens on this upcoming event! Fantastic news, and what a treat for chessplayers in the Tucson area!

9 Queens Presents free chess lessons, simultaneous chess exhibit, and a reading with Women’s World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk

December 20, 2009 Chess lessons and reading 2-4pm Simul and reception 4-7pm Held at Parasol Project and MAST 299 S Park Ave email jhoffman@9queens.org for more information

Here is the information from Jean's email and press release: Dear friends, I am thrilled to announce that Women's World Chess Champion and Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk has selected 9 Queens as one of the few chess programs in the country to visit as part of her Christmas Goodwill offer. Ms. Kosteniuk will be coming to Tucson on Sunday, December 20 to participate in our upcoming 9 Queens Academy! This is a huge honor for 9 Queens and fantastic opportunity for all Tucson chess enthusiasts to meet (and play) one of the most influential chess players and personalities in the world. For more information, please see the attached press release and note the venue changes. PLEASE NOTE: In order to accommodate Ms. Kosteniuk's visit there have been a couple of important scheduling and venue changes: The 9 Queens Academy will be now be held at the Parasol Project Arts Space (located at 299 Park Avenue) from 2-4 pm on Sunday Dec 20, 2009. Immediately following the Queens Academy, from 4-7 pm at MAST (a new boutique located directly next door to Parasol Projects), 9 Queens will host a reception and simultaneous chess exhibit featuring Ms. Kosteniuk. All activities will be open to all chess enthusiasts (men and women) of all ages and abilities.

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *** Contact: Jean HoffmanCell: 347-409-1276Email: jhoffman@9queens.org

CURRENT WOMEN’S WORLD CHESS CHAMPION COMES TO TUCSON

Tucson nonprofit selected as one of the few chess programs in the nation honored by Grandmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk

(TUCSON, AZ ) Current Women's World Chess Champion and Grandmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk has selected the Tucson nonprofit organization 9 Queens as one of the few chess programs in the country to honor with her Christmas Goodwill Offer. On December 20, 2009, as part of her national goodwill tour to promote the benefits of chess, Ms. Kosteniuk will fly to Tucson, Arizona to participate in a range of free educational activities hosted by 9 Queens. From 2-4 pm at the Parasol Project Arts Space (299 S Park Avenue), Ms. Kosteniuk will answer questions from participants in the 9 Queens Academy and read from her new book "Diary of a Chess Queen." Immediately following the Queens Academy, 9 Queens will host a reception and simultaneous chess exhibit at MAST a new boutique located next door to Parasol Project. During the simultaneous chess exhibit, Ms. Kosteniuk will play up to 50 chess players at the same time.

In addition to serving as the current Women's World Chess Champion, Ms. Kosteniuk, also serves as the co-chair for the World Chess Federation's Commission for Women’s Chess. Ms Kosteniuk, a notable chess celebrity, is widely regarded as the most popular chess player in the world. Known for the mantra "Chess is Cool," Kosteniuk was recently voted the most influential chess player on Twitter. "Alexandra has done so much to promote not only women's chess but chess in general," says 9 Queens executive director Jean Hoffman, "It is a huge honor to have her come to Tucson and recognize our growing chess community."

Over the past two years, 9 Queens has created a range of programs designed in empower under-served and under-represented populations through chess. In August 2008, 9 Queens created the Tucson Queens Initiative--a multi-year campaign designed not only to increase the percentage of female chess players, but also to empower girls to achieve academic, personal and professional success. Since then the percentage of women participating in 9 Queens beginner chess tournaments as skyrocketed from less than ten percent to almost fifty percent. The high percentage of female chess players in Tucson stands in stark contrast to national trends where women make up around eight percent of the chess community.

"I could not think of a better organization to do this goodwill event with since I support 9 Queens strongly,” explained Kosteniuk regarding her decision to partner with 9 Queens. -- Jean Hoffman9 Queens- Empowerment through ChessCo-Founder and Executive Director http://www.9queens.org/