Since 1985, the CMSCA has provided instructors, including national masters and experts, to teach in chess clubs at more than 100 schools in the greater Charlotte area. On August 15, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools informed CMSCA that it could no longer fund its contract due to its budget crisis. The decision will leave thousands of students without chess instruction in schools if CMSCA is unable to find alternative funding.

Chris Mabe, a National Life Master who has been teaching for CMSCA since 2004, says, "The main thing that bothers me about the loss of funding is that I won't be able to reach the children that can't afford tournaments, coaches, or in many cases chess sets. There are many children in CMS that absolutely love chess, but don't have anyone to play with at home. I especially like giving them the chance to learn more about a game they enjoy so much."

Chess provides children with a unique opportunity to develop high-level cognitive skills, improve concentration, learn good sportsmanship, build self-esteem and form lasting friendships. The game requires players to recognize patterns, make rational judgments and analyze positions, and many studies have shown a positive correlation between chess and success in mathematics and science. In addition to helping improve study habits and grades, chess teaches children how to win and lose with grace and provides an outlet for aggression and an opportunity to practice healthy conflict resolution. Many inner-city schools have successfully made chess part of programs to keep youths off the streets and away from gangs and aggressive behavior. The value of a chess education has been recognized around the world. More than 30 countries have introduced chess as part of their required curriculum. Therefore, chess provides children and teens a fun and stimulating activity that fosters intellectual growth, better grades and positive social outcomes.

"Parents of young chess players can attest to the positive impact in their children's intellectual and social development," says Rose Yen, President of the CMSCA. "We hope that the public can support us in our mission to provide free chess instruction to children across our county, especially those who cannot afford private lessons."

Given the small number of chess masters in the United States (fewer than ten live in North Carolina and only two live in Charlotte), the CMSCA fills a unique need of providing quality chess instruction in schools for children and youth who cannot afford private lessons. Regular chess instruction prepares school chess teams to compete at regional, state and national tournaments, which helps bring recognition to schools in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Individual students who excel at chess tournaments can also qualify for college scholarships.

The CMSCA is a non-profit organization that depends entirely on the effort of unpaid volunteers and the generosity of individuals and corporate sponsors. Now, more than ever, we need your financial support to continue providing chess instruction, especially in lower income and rural schools where students could not otherwise. To make a secure, tax deductible donation, please click on the "Donate" image on your right, or mail your donation to P.O. Box 221882, Charlotte, NC 28222. Thank you for your support!

Corporate Sponsor Appreciation Program

We can provide corporate donors recognition on our website (www.cmsca.org) with a prominent logo, banner and/or link, as well as placement on our tournament flyers and other marketing materials sent to several hundred local families, school teachers and chess club sponsors. We can also offer advertising space at our monthly tournament events, which are attended by several hundred students in the Charlotte, North Carolina area (and surrounding counties) over the course of the year.

To show our appreciation to our corporate sponsors, the CMSCA offers the following levels of sponsorship:

Bronze Sponsor (under $100): Recognition on our donor list
Silver Sponsor ($100 and over): Prominent logo on our website
Gold Sponsor ($300 and above): Logo on website and marketing materials
Platinum Sponsor ($500 and above): Appreciation plaque, logo on website and marketing
materials

We are sincerely grateful to all of the individuals and corporations that support our mission during this budget crisis. For our list of 2010-2011 sponsors, please click here.

How to Spread the Word

To help spread the word about our cause, please read and share the following with your friends and colleagues:

"Chess Association Turns to Private Schools to Stay Alive", Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly
(October 1, 2010)
"Checkmate!", South Charlotte Weekly (September 17, 2010)
"Lauded Chess Program Loses Funding", Charlotte Magazine (September 2010)
"CMS Budget Cuts Leave Chess Clubs Down and Out", Charlotte Observer (August 29, 2010)
Official Press Release (August 20, 2010)
Support Letter (August 20, 2010)