FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2024
Contact: Tina Ahn
Sr. Director of Advancement
(415) 902-9088 | [email protected]
Mechanics’ Institute Announces 2024 San Francisco Scholastic Chess Championship
(San Francisco, CA) – Now in its 18th year, Mechanics’ Institute announces that the 2024 San Francisco Scholastic Chess Championship will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the San Francisco County Fair Building located in Golden Gate Park, with more than 300 young people planned to participate. The Scholastic Chess Championship is the only tournament of its kind offered to San Francisco Bay Area youth ages five to seventeen years of age.
Katherine Bella, Mechanics’ Institute CEO, stated, “We are thrilled to be supporting this generation of avid chess players through our annual tournament. This highly anticipated event is nearly sold-out with a handful of registrations remaining. Families enroll from San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area to participate in this all-day tournament. The majority of players are middle-school students with players as young as six years of age.”
Mechanics’ Institute is committed to the next generation of chess players. Learning the game has proven to have a positive correlation with childhood education and problem-solving, as well as encourages young people to pursue a lifelong love of one of the best games played internationally. Mechanics’ Institute programs for youth include placing chess coaches in Bay Area schools as part of the after-school program curriculum, chess tournaments, and socials in which youth play adults.
One of Mechanics’ Institute’s stars includes Grandmaster Christopher Woojin Yoo who, at 17 years of age, was recently awarded the annual Neil Falconer Prize which is awarded to the highest-rated player under 18 years of age in Northern California. Other renowned chess players include Grandmaster Sam Shankland, Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, and Grandmaster Vinay Bhat who were also prior recipients of the Mechanics’ Institute’s Falconer Prize.
This year, Mechanics’ Institute is also very pleased to be partnering with the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) on this event. The SFPL will be providing each player with a free book on chess as a keepsake, along with their medal. Michael Lambert, San Francisco City Librarian, states, “We’re so pleased to partner with the Mechanics’ Institute and help foster community for chess enthusiasts through this unique tournament. I have loved the game of chess since a young age, and I look forward to seeing these young people in action on March 30th.”
Trophies are awarded to the top ten players in each of the rated and non-rated sections and top ten teams overall; medals also are awarded to other players. For families and friends, Mechanics’ Institute will provide a chess simul, tournament game analysis throughout the day, and other activities.
About Mechanics’ Institute
Founded in 1854, the Mechanics’ Institute is one of the oldest institutions on the West Coast of the United States. Its mission is to provide a center for intellectual and cultural advancement. Located in the financial district of San Francisco, Mechanics’ Institute is a non-profit organization serving individuals and families throughout the Bay Area. The organization offers a vibrant library with full-time professional staff, expert instruction and competition in chess, and a full calendar of engaging cultural events, programs, and classes. Mechanics’ Institute operates the oldest chess program in the nation.
About Mechanics Institute Scholastic Chess Championship
The Scholastic Chess Championship will take place at the San Francisco County Fair Building located in Golden Gate Park beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
For registration information, please visit: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/calendar or scan the QR code below.
