Seattle Press on Line - Chess Mates Gets Gates Grant To Expand School Programs

Chess Mates Gets Gates Grant To Expand School Programs

Oct 04, 2000 -- Chess Mates, a Seattle-based nonprofit foundation, will be able to expand its after-school scholastic chess programs in Seattle and five other area school districts this year, thanks to a $10,000 gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Chess Mates serves more than 1,200 students at 40 public elementary and middle schools.

With the recent grant, it will be able to expand its program through additional funding for instructors, chess equipment, student awards and its annual Chessfest competition.

Last year five students from West Woodland Elementary school, where Chess Mates has held an after school program since 1994, placed in the top 10 out of 136 teams in the national elementary Chess Championships in Dallas, Texas. More than 60 children take part in West Woodland's chess program this year.

Now in its eleventh year, Chess Mates uses the game of chess as a teaching tool, helping young children to develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

Visit Chess Mates' Web site at www.chessmates.org.

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