Women's International Master chess champion and UA student Amanda Mateer talks about her work with 9 Queens, an organization that teaches chess to women, girls and at-risk youth.
9 Queens will hold an event Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Sahuaro Girl Scout Resource Center, 4300 E. Broadway Blvd., from 1 to 5 p.m. The second annual All Queens Chess Day includes an all-women and girls chess tournament, beginner's lessons and Mateer taking on several opponents at once.
Here's the press release text:
On October 9, 2010 women and girls of all ages will come together to celebrate female empowerment through chess at the 2nd Annual All Queens Day at the Sahuaro Girl Scout Resource Center. Hosted by the nonprofit organization 9 Queens, Bookmans, Saguaro Girl Scout Council and City Council Member Regina Romero, All Queens Day will feature a range of free activities including a ladies-only chess tournament, face-painting and community chess lessons for anyone male or female. All Queens Day commemorates the second-year anniversary of the 9 Queens Initiative (a monthly series of ladies chess workshops sponsored by 9 Queens and Bookmans).Over the past two years, hundreds of women and girls throughout Tucson have learned to play chess through the 9 Queens Initiative. According to 9 Queens co-founder and executive director Jean Hoffman the goal of the initiative isn’t just to increase the number of female chess players in Tucson, but to empower them by exposing them to the benefits of chess. Traditionally considered a male endeavor, chess has been proven to improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Since the launch of the 9 Queens Initiative in 2008, Tucson has emerged as a growing national capital for female chess players. In December of 2009 reigning Women’s World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk selected Tucson as the sole recipient of her Goodwill Tour. Over the past two years 9 Queens and its programs for women and girls have received national recognition from The New York Times, National Public Radio and Chess Life Magazine.
All Queens Chess Day will be held at the Sahuaro Girl Scout Resource Center (4300 E Broadway) on October 9, 2010 from 1-5 pm. From 2-4 pm there will be free chess lessons and community activities. The tournament will take place from 1-4 pm with an awards ceremony at 4:30 pm. All activities are free and open to the public. For more information email jhoffman@9queens.org.
