Military Chess Announcement

23 June 2008

From: Steven Rollins, Chairman, US Chess Federation Military Chess Committee

Subj: 2008 49th Annual U.S. Armed Forces Open (USAFO) Chess Championship and
5th Annual Service Academy Chess Championship

I am pleased to announce that the 2008 USAFO Chess Championship will be held at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC), Bethesda, Maryland from 11-13 October, 2008. The Military Chess Committee wishes to recognize and extend special thanks to the Commanding Officer and staff of the NNMC for extending their hospitality to Military Chessplaying community for this event. During this year’s USAFO, we will honor our wounded veterans and we are requesting your assistance to help to support this fun and historic event. Additional details about the event (including online registration) may be found at http://www.usmilitarychess.org/.

The USAFO is the nation¢s largest, free, Military-oriented Chess tournament and is open to all Active Duty, Retired and Reserve chessplayers. The U.S. Chess Federation¢s Military Chess Committee is the supervising body for this event, which is always held in the DC area on a rotating schedule between volunteer representatives (usually retirees) from the Army, Navy Air Force and Marines. The event typically has between 60 and 80 participants but this year, thanks to increased interest, we are anticipating in excess of 100 players from across the nation. This is also the 5th year for the Service Academy Chess Championship and cadets, midshipmen and ROTC (with DOD ID) will battle for the Commander in Chief¢s Trophy as well as representing their respective service. Other scheduled events include the Friday night Warm-up event and the annual USAFO Blitz (speed chess) championship. The USAFO is a full weekend that offers the unique opportunity to meet and compete with previous, current and future military chess champions.

The USAFO features dozens of prizes that are donated by private citizens and corporate entities alike. This is where we are requesting your assistance. Support for the USAFO can come in various forms including:

*Advertisement of the event via your media or to your membership. Attached please find a flyer for this year¢s event and supplemental information on the world of military chess.
*Donation of gifts to the event do not have to be ¡chess-oriented¢ and may be specifically tailored (e.g. Any player, Top Marine, Top Female Sailor, Top Retiree, etc) or left to the committee¢s judgment. Gift donations may be mailed to Steven Rollins (Attn: Military Chess), PO Box 342, Quantico, Va, 22134. Please do not send cash donations to this address.
*Cash donations (tax deductible) may be sent to the Military Chess Committee through the US Chess Trust 501 (c ) 3 at U.S. Chess Trust, C/O Military Chess, P.O. Box 838, Wallkill, NY 12589

Whatever form(s) of support you choose, your assistance will be appreciated by the committee and the players. If you choose to donate, please be sure to notify us so that we can track your donation and ensure that we give your organization recognition at the event.

I am available at your leisure to answer any questions you may have about the USAFO and the world of military chess.

Best Regards,
Steven Rollins (USMC, Ret)
Chairman, US Chess Federation Military Chess Committee
703 897 4966, marinechess@yahoo.com