“Chess at the Park” State Scholastic Chess Championship and Movie on the Lawn

March 26th to 28th tournament to determine Southern California State Champion

MARCH 24, 2010 – IRVINE, California – This weekend the Orange County Great Park will host “Chess at the Park”, a three-day chess tournament and outdoor festival that will feature the Southern California Super State chess championship. Chess Palace is sponsoring the tournament, and the Great Park is hosting the action.

All Chess at the Park activities outside the tournament area are open to the public with free admission and parking, including Friday’s “Grand Master Simul,” when chess Grandmaster Melikset Khachiyan will play 50 Park visitors at one time.

Chess at the Park will also include the first Great Park “Movie on the Lawn” of 2010, showing the recent hit “Where the Wild Things Are” (rated PG). The movie will be shown on the Great Park lawn Saturday, March 27 at 7:30.

“The Great Park is proud to host ‘Chess at the Park’ and the exciting Southern California Super State Chess Championship,” said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation. “While more than 500 students compete, the entire community is welcome to come out and enjoy free park activities and maybe learn a little more about chess.”

The tournament will award the title Southern California Super State Scholastic Champion, and the high school winner will go on to compete for college scholarships on July 31st at the National Denker Championship at the Irvine Hyatt.

Beginner or intermediate players can register and compete in an unrated section, perfect for kids who are just getting into chess. Visitors of all ages can test their skills against chess experts, or compete in an informal “friends and family” tournament. “Chess at the Park” will also include an open play sports area, children’s crafts and other family fun.

“Chess fosters the skills that young people are seeking to promote learning and reasoning,” said Anthony Ong, manager of Chess Palace. “Chess advances critical thinking skills that helps young people learn how to make decisions, plan for the future and improve their ability to think.”

For more information about registration for the state chess tournament, please contact Anthony Ong at (714) 899-3421, or via email at [email protected]. Pre-registration is highly recommended and can be done online at chesspalace.com.

“Chess at the Park” begins Friday, March 26th and runs through Sunday March 28th.

For more information about the Orange County Great Park, go to www.ocgp.org.

Press Contact:
Jenn Starnes
Public Information Officer
Orange County Great Park Corporation
(949) 724-6574