Consider Year-End Giving!

Hola darlings!  I hope EVERYONE had an absolutely wonderful Christmas.  Mine was fabulous - spent in peace and solitude and I thoroughly enjoyed getting away from the rat race for a few days!  I made all of my favorite dishes for myself, gorged myself on good chocolates and wine (lots of wine, heh heh) and had fires in the fireplace every night.  It was WONDERFUL! 

There she is in all her glory, Maison Newton, complete with a snow storm (those white specks caught by the camera on "scene" don't capture how hard it started snowing seemingly the moment I stepped outside to try and capture a night image of mon maison in all of its Christmas-time glory)!  Let me tell you, that fireplace sure has come in handy:)  This photo was taken on December 16 and we've gotten a lot more snow since then -- still a foot on the ground now, even after Friday and yesterday's "melt-off" (we had a high of 44 degrees F yesterday and it felt positively spring-like outside!)  By this evening, temperatures will be back below zero F and the 'highs' for the next several days will be in the single digits F!   Brrrrrrrr shiver shiver! 

For U.S. taxpayers who itemize their deductions, many make year-end donations to "up" our charitable deductions for the year.  If you are one of those fortunate enough to have enough deductions to top the Federal Standard Deduction, I ask you to please consider making a donation to either or - preferably - both of these very worthy chessly charitable endeavors!

The Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation is conducting its 2013-2014 Annual Campaign to raise funds for the coming year's chessly activities.  Straight from the email:

2013-2014 Annual Campaign

This year's annual campaign will run through Feb 1, 2014. Each year WSCF raises funds to complete its annual budget. Funds are used to offer scholarships at end of the year tournaments, pay entry fees for Title I students at tournaments, help students attend summer chess camps, purchase online chesskid.com memberships, and pay for FirstMove (FirstMove) curriculum in Milwaukee Schools. Over $1500 has been raised to date toward this years goal.

 

WSCF activities and annual budget continues to grow each year. The end of the 2012-2013 season found over 1650 players participating in over 45 tournaments across the state. Tournaments were held in Green Bay, Appleton, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Plymouth, Sussex, Fall River, Watertown, Kenosha, Port Washington, Greenfield, Waukesha, Fox Point, Glen Dale, Whitefish Bay and Milwaukee. Nearly 200 campers attended 14 camps from Baraboo, Sheboygan, Kenosha and places in between. This fall WSCF teachers taught in 13 different schools in the Milwaukee Metro area and WSCF helped 9 different schools start the First Move curriculum in it 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms.

 

Your continued support will help WSCF expand its mission of providing scholastic chess to thousands of students across Wisconsin.

 

To donate click on this link to give on line via our First Giving page Annual Campaign or mail a check to our office at: WSCF 2819 W. Highland Blvd. Milwaukee, WI 53208. Your support is greatly appreciated.

You can make a donation online, I just did! 

Seriously, every little bit helps these kids a LOT!  If you prefer, you can send a check directly to the WSCF:  WSCF, 2819 W. Highland Blvd. Milwaukee, WI 53208.  All donations to WSCF are tax-deductible for those who itemize their U.S. Federal income tax deductions.  There are still a few more days to donate.  Wouldn't it be grand to send WSCF on its way to 2014 with $1,000 or more in its funding!


Another one of my favorite chessly groups is 9 Queens!  9 Queens was established by Jen Shahade and Jean Hoffman in 2008 in Tucson, Arizona:  9 Queens is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through chess by making the game fun, exciting, and accessible. We offer free chess education programs specifically designed to promote critical thinking skills, academic performance, and self-confidence. Our mission is to use chess as a tool to motivate, empower, and engage under-served and under-represented populations to realize their potential and achieve academic and personal success.

Donations to 9 Queens are tax-deductible for those who itemize their U.S. Federal income tax deductions. I am proud to have been a supporter of 9 Queens since I first learned of the organization; for a few years, 9 Queens and Goddesschess collaberated to provide a special prize to the U.S. Women's Chess Championship. 

Arizona residents have a special opportunity to direct their local tax dollars toward 9 Queens objectives:

You decide where your tax dollars go...

To support 9 Queens please dedicate your Public School Activity Tax Credit to the Mexicayotl Academy!

If you pay taxes in Arizona, you have two choices about where that money goes:

#1: Send your tax dollars to the state, where legislators will decide how and where that money will be used.

#2: Keep your tax dollars in your community by making a donation to an organization you support.

Mexicayotl Academy is a qualifying charter school that is able to receive your Public School Activity Tax Credit. This tax credit is in addition to and completely separate from the Private School Tuition and Arizona Charitable tax credits. You may participate in any or all three if you are able to.

Individuals can claim a credit of up to $200, and couples filing jointly can claim $400. Click for more information on the tax credit from the Arizona Department of Revenue.

Your donation affects our community and supports our mission by helping the Mexicayotl Academy students learn a skill that is proven to help them with their critical thinking skills in math and science and in their self esteem. They are the future of Tucson-help us give them an opportunity they might not have had without us.

To make your donation to Mexicayotl Academy:

• Mail your donation before Dec. 31, 2013, to Mexicayotl Academy 667 N. 7th Ave, Tucson AZ 85705
• Please note on your check that it is for the CHESS PROGRAM.

Also, 9 Queens is a 501(C)(3) Non-Profit EID#77-0711937 and your donations are tax deductible!

For donations to 9 Queens please send your check to:

9 Queens P.O. Box 41838 Tucson, AZ 85717

Or go directly to 9queens.org to click the donate now button.

 

I just made a donation to 9 Queens, and I hope you will consider making one, too!  I know I sound like a broken record, but every little bit DOES help tremendously, because all of those little bit donations can add up!  But only you can help them add up by making a donation.

 

If either of these chessly endeavors don't ring your chimes, please please consider making a chessly endeavor donation elsewhere.  Chess in the United States is not a government-supported activity.  Chess is not something on most people's radar!  We chessly types must develop our future chess champions on our own, and corporate and charitable foundation sponsorship is sadly lacking for most of our local programs, in whatever state you live in.  'kay, enough said!  Goddess bless you all, darlings, and I sure do hope you will be celebrating New Year's Eve like I intend to celebrate mine :) :) :)

9 Queens Upcoming Events

Hola!  Check out the latest from 9 Queens.  I hope you are supporting them!  9 Queens does great work with kids and women.  We need more of them around - across the entire USA!!!

9 Queens 6th Annual Chess Fest!

Woo woo!  It's so hard to believe it's going on six years now.  Truly, time is flying by for yours truly these days, and I apologize for making this tardy announcement.  This wonderful event will be held this Saturday, April 13, 2013 in Tucson, Arizona:

Particulars from the email: 

Local Chess Master Honored at 6th Annual Chess Fest

On April 13, 2013 from 2-5 pm at the Hotel Congress (311 E. Congress St., Tucson, Arizona, 85701), Tucsonans will have the opportunity to show Women's FIDE Master Amanda Mateer and International Master Mac Molner their best moves. Husband and wife chess power couple, Mateer and Molner, will play in a tandem chess simultaneous exhibition playing forty games at the same time during the 9 Queens Chess Fest. The 6th Annual Chess Fest will feature a range of free chess themed activities.

In contrast to traditional chess tournaments and events, the Chess Fest will have something for everyone, regardless of age or chess experience. Activities include: beginner chess lessons, pick-up chess games, face painting, chess simultaneous exhibits.

Women's FIDE Master Amanda Mateer will be presented with the 9 Queens Award.The 9 Queens Award is given to a player who embodies the mission of 9 Queens and our commitment to empowering under-served and under-represented populations.

"As a prominent chess player and coach Amanda has done so much to make Tucson one of the most vibrant and rich chess communities in the country," explains 9 Queens co-founder Jean Hoffman.

Amanda Mateer is no stranger to Tucson's chess scene. She is a co-founder of Tucson Chess Alliance, which is another Tucson community chess group, a member of the Southern Arizona Chess Alliance Board, a nationally recognized tournament director and is one of the most liked coaches in the Old Pueblo by adults and children alike. All activities are free and open to the public. No pre-registration is necessary. Email for more information. 

Chess Femme News From Around the Net

At Chessbase, the City of Montreal Open Chess Championships' newest sweetheart reports on the Reykjavik Open, in which reigning Women's World Chess Champion, GM Hou Yifan of China, played:

GM Hou Yifan, final round, 2012 Reykjavic Open

Alina L'Ami hears the Call of the North
20.03.2012– The Reykjavik Open 2012 took place from March 6–13, and our playing correspondent WGM Alina L'Ami sent us a number of beautiful reports from the Icelandic capital. She was obvious so enthralled by the Nordic country, its people and landscape, that she has written one more massively illustrated report. It is filled with a yearning to go back to Reykjavik next year.


Also at Chessbase, a report on the 2012 European Individual Women's Blitz Chess Championship, won by :

Gaziantep: Gunina overtakes Pähtz, wins European Women's Blitz
19.03.2012– She already won the title in the classical time controls, now Russian IM Valentina Gunina added the Blitz title to it. In the final round she was able to defeat former women's world champion Antoaneta Stefanov 2-0 and overtake the leading Elisabeth Pähtz. The German IM will remain in Turkey, since she has signed a contract to train young talents. Big pictorial report.

At Chessdom:

Aleksandra Goryachkina becomes WGM at 13
Mar 16, 2012

Aleksandra Goryachkina, born in 1998, has just conquered her last norm for WGM title at the European Women Chess Championship. The young Russian girl finished at the amazing 40th place with 6,0/11, competing with a large number of GMs and IMs in what is considered to be the strongest EIWCC in history.

Elizabeth Vicary's blog is chock-full of chess news of "Her Kids" in NYC, and very promising news and reviews on "Brooklyn Castle," which could be a major game-changer for I.S. 318:

Monday, March 19, 2012 NPR review of Brooklyn Castle! also
SXSW Film: 'Brooklyn Castle' And The Looming Threat Of Commercial Success
If I could pick only one film from the South By Southwest film festival and bodily force everyone I know to see it, it would be Brooklyn Castle, a documentary directed by Katie Dellamaggiore that follows the chess team at I.S. 318, a New York junior high school that has become a superpower at national tournaments.

... I have a gnawing fear of seeing somebody like Charlize Theron (an actress I really like) as the woman who coaches the kids in chess. (!!!!)

read it all

GMSusan Polgar announced the 9th Annual Susan Polgar Foundation Girl's Invitational at her blog:

March 21, 2012
9th annual Susan Polgar Foundation Girl's Invitational

From GM Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chessqueen blog:

March 20th, 2012
May 5 Tucson Chess Fest invites Chess Queen Kosteniuk

Press Release: 9 Queens brings Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk to celebrate Tucson’s chess community. Alexandra will be honored at the 5th Annual Chess Fest and will receive the 9 Queens Award. The event is sponsored by the Soroptomist International of Desert Tucson and Chess King software. Read the full press release below and mark your calendars if you can make it to Tucson on May 5!

Celebrate National Chess Day With 9Queens!

Please come out and support 9Queens, a great organization doing wonderful work!

Reminder: 9 Queens 4th Annual Chessfest!

On April 2nd!

4th Annual Chess Fest at the Hotel Congress from 2-5 pm in Tucson, Arizona. This year's Chess Fest is based on the book Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll and will feature two-time American Women's Chess Champion Jennifer Shahade as the Red Queen.

The day will include tons of free, family friendly activities including:

• A speed chess tournament sponsored by Providence Service Corporation 
• Live human chess match with characters from Through the Looking Glass acting as the pieces 
• Chess lessons for beginners sponsored by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange 
• Blitz match between Jennifer Shahade and Arizona State Chess Champion Mark Ginsberg sponsored by the Soroptimists International of Desert Tucson 
•  Face-painting sponsored by Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails   
• Chess arts crafts stations sponsored by the Tucson Ladies Chess Club and Crafternoon. 

Remember- all activities are free and open to the public. For more information, email jhoffman@9queens.org.  Hope to see you there! 

P.S.  This is one of the best graphics I've ever seen, bar none.  9 Queens has always had very nice posters for their events but this one - wow - it's in another dimension!  Great work!

Two-Time U.S. Women's Champion Jen Shahade Upcoming Simul/Lecture

To promote her new book "Play Like a Girl!Tactics by 9 Queens," all proceeds of sale which will go to fund 9 Queens.  9 Queens believes in the empowerment of the individual through learning to play chess and all that it teaches -- it reaches out especially to children and women of all ages.

Excerpted from the Examiner.com - San Francisco

U.S. champion Shahade visiting San Francisco for chess exhibition and signing





Jennifer Shahade, from Mechanics
Institute website


• March 23rd, 2011 7:30 pm PT

Jennifer Shahade, a two-time U.S. women's chess champion, appears March 29 at the Mechanics Institute Chess Club. Shahade will give a talk, and sign her new book Play Like a Girl! Tactics by 9 Queens.

Play Like a Girl! is an anthology of combinations played by female masters, going back to the first women's world champions Menchik and Rudenko, and including the current and youngest champion Hou Yifan.

The royalties from Play Like a Girl! will go to the non-profit organization 9 Queens. According to its website, 9 Queens is dedicated to extending the benefits of chess to those who need it most, especially girls at at-risk youth.

After her evening at Mechanics on March 29, Shahade will perform a simultaneous exhibition at the NorCal House of Chess on April 3. Then she'll head to Arizona for the Tucson Chess Fest, a 9 Queens event. "A mini West Coast book tour!" she said.

9 Queens Fourth Annual Chess Fest!

The 4th Annual Chess Fest is scheduled for April 2 from 2-5 pm at the Hotel Congress. This year's theme is "Through the Looking Glass" and will feature two-time American Women's Chess Champion Jennifer Shahade as the Red Queen. In addition to a free speed chess tournament, chess lessons, face-painting, and a human chess match with characters from the book, Jen will also be signing copies of our new book, Play Like A Girl. Buy your copy in advance on our website and get her to sign it at the event.

Chess Fest is a completely, free, family friendly activity. Help support this event by making a safe, tax-deductible donation here.

If you missed the announcement a few weeks ago:

9 Queens co-founder Jen Shahade's latest book, Play Like a Girl!: Tactics by 9Queens was just released from Mongoose Press. The book is filled with chess puzzles and combinations, all executed by female chess champions. The book is available at 9queens.org and all author royalties go to 9 Queens initiatives to bring chess to those most in need of its benefits.

New Jen Shahade Book: Play Like a Girl: Tactics by 9Queens

From Jen Shahade (two-time winner of the U.S. Women's Chess Championship):

My latest book, Play Like a Girl!: Tactics by 9Queens  was just released from Mongoose Press. The book is filled with chess puzzles and combinations, all executed by female chess champions. A perfect prequel to my first book, Chess Bitch: Women in the Ultimate Intellectual Sport, I hope Play Like a Girl! will motivate girls and women to enter the male-dominated chess field. The book is available at 9queens.org, amazon, Mongoosepress or USCF Sales. All author royalties go to 9 Queens initiatives to bring chess to those most in need of its benefits.

 Daniel Meirom and I created the book trailer below, Lipstick Checkmate. It features me and Abby Marshall, the first woman to win the Denker tournament of high school champions, playing on a chess set, composed of items from long forgotten make-up bags, luxury brand promotions and drugstore bargain bins. If you like it, pass it along or tweet/facebook it! Also see some production stills on jennifershahade.com. 

Finally, if you would like to report on or write about Play Like a Girl, contact me for more information, the official press release or a review copy.

Thanks for all your support and have a great weekend, Jennifer 

--
Jennifer Shahade
uschess.org/clo
jennifershahade.com
9queens.org
twitter.com/jenshahade

9 Queens Upcoming Events!

9 Queens is very active in the Tucson (Arizona) community and is constantly developing new ways to reach out to new audiences and fans.  I am particularly fond of the free days when chess lessons are given to anyone who wants them, free of charge, and a good time is had by all with special events in conjunction with the lessons.  To my way of thinking, there is nothing more precious than teaching someone personal empowerment and self-confidence through developing the skills one acquires in playing chess. 

Please visit the 9 Queens website for further info on these events:

9 Queens Action!

Sorry for the short notice - check out these great events, including one TOMORROW, EEK!

WIZARD CHESS

Wizards and muggles alike are welcome to join 9 Queens and Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's Toys for an afternoon of wizard chess, pick-up games and fun on Sunday, November 14 from 3-5 pm at Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's Toy Store (located at 4811 Grant Road in Crossroads Festival, Tucson, Arizona). Come as your favorite Harry Potter character or chess piece for a costume contest at 4 pm. Puzzles and prizes will be awarded throughout the day to anyone who can solve the same chess puzzle Harry, Hermione, and Ron faced in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In addition there will be butterbeer to drink, lightning bolt tattoos, a Bertie Bots Bean tasting table, and raffles for all kinds of magical artifacts!

9 QUEENS ACADEMY

Hey ladies- Join 9 Queens and Bookmans for free chess lessons on November 21, 2010 from 2-4 pm at the Bookmans Low Lounge in the Sahuaro Girl Scout Resource Center. Women and girls of all ages are encouraged to attend. Beginners welcome!  Location:  4300 E. Broadway Blvd.,Tucson, Arizona (SE corner of Broadway and Columbus). 

TURKEY DAY LIBRARY CHESS TOURNAMENT

This Thanksgiving weekend put down the turkey and join 9 Queens and the Pima County Public Library for a free chess tournament on Saturday, November 27 at the Bear Canyon Public Library (8959 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, Arizona). Check-in will begin at 10 am and there will be 3 rounds held throughout the day. Free lunch will be provided to all participants. For more information email Jean Hoffman.

9 Queens Website

Contact Jean Hoffman with any questions.  Hoping for a great turn-out for all these fab events!

More 9 Queens: Special Philadelphia, PA Event for National Chess Day!

Posted at 9 Queens on October 5, 2010 - I just saw it, sorry for the late notice:

9 Queens & ASAP Debut Philly Class on October 9th, National Chess Day

Posted by jshahade on October 5th, 2010

For the third year in a row, 9 Queens has teamed up with ASAP (After School Activities Partnership) in Philadelphia to host all-female chess classes. This year’s instructors will include 9 Queens co-founder WGM Jennifer Shahade, WIM Alisa Melekhina and Masterminds Coach Leteef Street.

The first session will be held on Saturday, October 9th, 2010 (also National Chess Day!) at the Parkway Central Library Branch (1901 Vine Street) from 2 PM to 4 PM. It will feature a Jeopardy game to test beginning and intermediate players’ chess skills.

Contact Windsor Jordan at wjordan@phillyasap.org or 215-545-2727 (ext 18) if you are interested in attending. Also mark your calender for the second session on Saturday, November 13, 2010.

9 Queens Action October 9, 2010 - Tucson, Arizona

National Chess Day in the United States is October 9, 2010.  Please support 9 Queens and its programs by coming out and participating!

A full day of fun events is planned for the community on the Second Annual All Queens Chess Day:

All Queens Tournament
Hey ladies- from 1-4 pm play in Tucson's only chess tournament exclusively for women and girls. There will be great prizes including custom Queen trophies and gift certificates from Bookmans! For more information email jhoffman@9queens.org.
Community Chess Experience
Calling all wannabe chess players- have you always wanted to play chess but never had the chance to learn the rules? The Community Chess Experience is just for you. From 2-4 pm, 9 Queens will offer free beginner chess lessons to anyone (male or female) interested in learning how to play chess. In order to promote chess literacy, Bookmans is giving out $5 gift certificates to everyone who learns how to play in the chess experience.

Queen for a Day
From 2-4 pm, come by to make your own chess crown at the chess arts and crafts station. Attention girl scouts: there will be chess activity patches available for all girl scouts who participate in any of the day's activities.

Visit 9 Queens website.

Chess Femme News!

More Jen Shahade on women and chess.
USCF has a nice follow-up article at its website of which, coincidentally (ahem, cough cough) Ms. Shahade is webmistress.  Wait - is that sexist?  Hmmm, how about Webmaster?  Neh.  How about Webdominator - yeah, I like that.
Jennifer on Mainstream Chess: From NPR to the Flat Screen
By Jennifer Shahade
August 22, 2010

The latest from 9 Queens.
9 Queens has instituted a "Rewards" program for participants in 9 Queens events.
Upcoming 9 Queens events:
9 Queens Academy, August 29, 2010
Third Annual Kings & Queens Chess Tournament, September 4, 2010
Second Annual All Queens Chess Day, October 9, 2010

Current Women's World Chess Champion GM Alexandra Kosteniuk has a busy schedule through the end of 2010 - from her blog (right column, tab "Next Events and Tournaments").
September 17-18: Women's World Blitz Championship, Moscow
September 19-October 4: Chess Olympiads, Khanty-Mansiysk
October 9: Simul, Switzerland
December 2-25: Women's World Chess Championship - Kosteniuk will be defending her title against a line-up of some very hungry chess femmes, including GM Koneru Humpy, GM Hou Yifan, GM Antoanetta Stefanova, Anna Ushenina, Lilit Mkrtchian, GM Pia Cramling (I believe she is playing), and an ever-expanding crowd of talented Georgian players!

A 9 Queens Academy - for Femmes Only!!!

Sorry for the short notice - but if you are within shooting, er, driving distance of Tucson and are curious about 9 Queens and what those wonderful people do, please check it out!

9 Queens Academy on Sunday, June 27 from 2-4 pm at the Sahuaro Girl Scout Resource Center. We will offer free chess lessons for women and girls of all ages and abilities and host our first ever "Ladies Checkmate Challenge." Prizes available for all female players including beginners. For more information visit our website.


9 Queens is grateful to Bookmans- the official sponsor to the Tucson Queens Academy series and to the Sahuaro Girl Scout Council for hosting the fun!

9 Queens Action Thursday June 17, 2010 in Tucson!

Summer Chess Extragavanza

Join 9 Queens and the Youth Volunteer Corps of Southern Arizona as we host an afternoon of free chess lessons, games and contests. Beginners: learn how to play a game of chess (using chess passports provided by Bookmans) and get a free slice of pizza! Intermediate and advanced players come by for pizza, casual games and fun.

This event is free and open to the public.

Note: This is a family friendly event; no alcohol will be served during the event.

Location: Sky Bar, 536 North 4th Avenue, Tucson, Arizona
http://www.skybartucson.com/

9 Queens - Free Chess Academy this Saturday!

Saturday May 23, 2010 free Chess Academy by 9 Queens!  Learn the basics of how to play chess or, for more advanced players, receive free lessons on "chess decoys" from a Master!

The Academy will be held at Bookmans Low Lounge in the Sahuaro Girl Scout Resource Center, 4300 East Broadway Boulevard!!! This month National Master Leo Martinez will be teaching advanced players how to create deadly decoys to distract their opponents. Beginners will learn the king and queen dance while going over how all the pieces move. This free workshop is generously sponsored by Bookmans.

9 Queens Action! Third Annual Chess Fest

April 11, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona!

3rd Annual Chess Fest
Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Historic Hotel Congress
Street: 311 E. Congress St.

9 Queens and the Hotel Congress are proud to present the 3rd Annual Chess Fest. This nontraditional chess festival offers something for everyone including:
* A speed chess tournament
* Free chess lessons
* Blindfold chess exhibition
* Human chess match played on a life size board
* Live music
* Face painting

9 Queens - Upcoming Events!

Visit the 9Queens website!

Short notice for the 9 Queens Academy this Sunday in Tucson, Arizona - but if you are in the area and can make it, really worthwhile:

9 Queens Academy
For the ladies- do not miss a spectacular 9 Queens Academy this Sunday, March 21 from 2-4 pm at Bookmans on Grant and Campbell. National Master Leo Martinez will be teaching a tantalizing lesson on winning tempo in the opening, while expert Amanda Mateer will show you how to make the most out of exchanging pieces (especially the Queen). This workshop is free and open to female chess players of all ages and abilities. Many thanks to Bookmans for their continued sponsorship of our 9 Queens Academy Series.

3rd Annual Chess Fest
It's that time of year again! 9 Queens is thrilled to partner with the Hotel Congress to host the 3rd Annual Chess Fest on April 10 from 2-5 pm. This year's Chess Fest will be better than ever featuring: blitz tournament, free chess lessons, face painting, live music and a human chess match played on a life-size board. All activities are free and open to EVERYONE.

9 Queens Action! Beginner Ladies' Chess Workshop March 7, 2010

Beginner Ladies Chess Workshop on March 7
Ladies- have you wanted to play chess but never learned? Used to play but now you don’t remember the rules? Come this Sunday, March 7th to the 9 Queens beginner chess academy at Bookmans on Grant and Campbell.

From 2:00pm - 4:00 pm National Master Leo Martinez and Expert Amanda Mateer will teach the basics like how the Queen moves and how to play a pawn game. This is your chance; unleash your inner queen and get in the game!

(The workshop is in Tucson, Arizona)

Because the most powerful piece on the board is YOU!

Get Involved

The success of 9 Queens speaks not only to the strength of our organization but also to the need for our programs. Since launching our programs, principals, teachers, and parents throughout the country have contacted 9 Queens in need of our support. Currently there are over 25 schools, libraries and after-school centers on the 9 Queens waiting list.

Now, more than ever, 9 Queens needs your support. Your generous tax-deductible contribution to 9 Queens will provide necessary resources that go directly to our programming. Make the most of your year-end giving and impact the lives of those individuals who would benefit most by your financial support of 9 Queens.

$50 can sponsor a two-hour after-school chess club for 30 students from a low-income public school.

$100 can provide a child with a year of chess instruction.

$250 can provide chess instruction to teach 40 girls how to play chess.

$500 can sponsor a semester of in-school chess instruction for an entire second grade classroom.

$1000 can sponsor a year of in-school chess instruction for an entire classroom of students in a low-income public school.

$2500 can provide a low-income public school with a year of quality after-school chess programming.

Donate online- Your tax-deductible donation will enable under-served and under-represented children to enjoy the benefits of chess education. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to 9 Queens using a secure, online system.

Donate by mail- To mail tax-deductible donations to 9 Queens, please write checks payable to: 9 Queens. Send your check to:

9 Queens
P.O. Box 41838
Tucson, AZ 85717

Contribute in-kind- In addition to providing financial support, you can also help 9 queens promote chess by contributing in-kind donations. If you have materials or services you think would be of use, please email Jean Hoffman for more information.

Volunteer- To learn more volunteer opportunities with 9 Queens, email Jean Hoffman.