Programs and Tournaments We Support

Supporting the Chess Community

Frank P. Samford, Jr. Chess Fellowship

The Frank P. Samford, Jr. Chess Fellowship is the richest and most important chess fellowship in the United States. It identifies and assists the best young American chess masters by providing top-level coaching, strong competition and access to study materials. The Fellowship also supplies a monthly stipend for living expenses so that the winners may devote themselves to chess without having financial worries.

National Girls Tournament of Champions

The U.S. Chess Trust has supported this event since its inception. Tax-deductible donations are accepted and may be earmarked for the event.

The United States Chess Federation (USCF) WIM Ruth Haring National Girls Tournament of State Champions is a tournament of Champions for girls from across the United States. It is held annually in the model of the GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions and Barber the Dewain Barber National Tournament of Middle School State Champions. The NGTC Haring is held in conjunction with the US Open. Each state affiliate is invited to send one representative, a female player in grades K-12 who has demonstrated her ability in a manner satisfactory to the state affiliate.

Chess-for-Youth Program

The U.S. Chess Trusts Chess-For-Youth program operates under a very simple premise chess makes kids smarter and should be an opportunity available to all students across the country. We can help you establish or continue your chess program.

The Chess Trust provides free U.S. Chess Federation memberships and chess playing equipment to support chess education programs across the nation. Programs are carried out in the field by dedicated volunteers and teachers who give their time and expertise and run chess programs in schools, community groups, and organizations.

2022 Scholar-Chessplayer Awards at the 2022 National High School Championship

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(L-R) US Chess Trust Trustee, Beatriz Marinello, VP of Scholastic Chess, Sunil Weeramantry and US Chess, Carol Meyer at the awards ceremony.

The Samford Fellowship

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In Conversation with WGM Jennifer Shahade and GM Yasser Seirawan

Other Tournaments and Programs

The Scholar-Chessplayer Awards

The Scholar-Chessplayer Awards program was established in the 1980s, and is administered by the US Chess Federation and the US Chess Trust. This program is funded by the US Chess Trust and the National Scholastic Chess Foundation.

These annual scholarships awarded by the U.S. Chess Trust, the National Scholastic Chess Foundation, and the USCF, are “intended to recognize and encourage high school junior or senior students who promote a positive image of chess.

High School students who have shown outstanding merits in academics, sportsmanship and chess are eligible to apply for these scholarships.

Dewain Barber Tournament of K–8 Champions

The US Chess Trust has supported this event since its inception. Tax-deductible donations are accepted and earmarked for the event.

The Dewain Barber Tournament of K-8 Champions invites the winners of the US Chess State Affiliate championships to compete for the title of 2019 Barber Champion of Champions. In case of ties in the Barber, co-champions shall be recognized. This year’s invitational tournament will be held from August 3 to August 6 during the 2019 U.S. Open.

Arnold Denker Tournament of High School Champions

The US Chess Trust has supported this event since its inception. Tax-deductible donations are accepted and earmarked for the event.

GM Arnold Denker (February 20, 1914 – January 2, 2005) was an American chess player, Grandmaster, and a chess writer, but he will forever be remembered for his passion for promoting chess for students. He was an important chess organiser, serving on the Board of the American Chess Foundation, the United States Chess Federation, and the U.S. Chess Trust, the driving force behind the prestigious Denker Tournament of High School Champions.