Latest Dispatches
Stay informed with current announcements, event notices, and news from our scholastic chess community.
Open Play Chess & Summer Camp in Plantation
Greetings to all players and parents in South Florida! Our giant summer program is in full swing with over 350 kids participating in Miami Beach and weekly open play sessions across Sunrise and Miami Beach.
Miami Beach: Saturdays 10am–12pm (North Shore Park) & Sundays 10am–12pm (Scott Rakow Youth Center).
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Hello everyone,
It's been a while since I sent a newsletter to all our friends and players in South Florida. This will be a quick note to let you know we are still playing chess every week. Our giant program of teaching over 350 kids in Miami Beach as part of their summer camp program is running every week, and we've had open play every Saturday in Sunrise and at the North Shore Park & Community Center in Miami Beach, and every Sunday at Scott Rakow Youth Center. Pinch-hitting, Coach Quintin reports we had 24 players, kids and adults, last Saturday in Sunrise, plus some parents who waited while their kids played. Come on moms, we can teach you to play too! You can see more pictures and keep up with our news on our Facebook page.
For those who plan ahead, on Saturday, July 25 from 10 am till 12 noon, a special guest will join us in Sunrise. IM Saudin Robovic will be coming to South Florida for a few days of meetings and we've invited him to Open Play. The Bosnian-born International Master (peak FIDE rating of 2385) was a pro on the European circuit for many years before emigrating to the US during the wars that took place after the break-up of Yugoslavia. He founded NYC Chess Kids in 1998 and was quickly among the very top chess educators in the city. In addition to being an exceptional player and teacher, Saudin is a truly nice man who I am looking forward to spending a few days with. Mark your calendars and come join us!
Summer Chess Camp at American Heritage
Summer Chess Camp at American Heritage School in Plantation starts on Monday, but I am pretty sure you can still sign-up. This is a 3-week mornings-only program with Coach Robert McKenzie and National Master Nicholas Rosenthal as our instructors. We have been doing this for several years with excellent results... and the facilities at American Heritage are second-to-none.
Open Play Every Weekend — Come Join the Fun!
- SUNRISE: Free Open Play Chess every Saturday, 10 am–noon at the Sunrise Athletic Complex, 11501 NW 44th Street, Sunrise, FL 33323. Led by Coach Robert McKenzie or WFM Amelia Hernandez.
- MIAMI BEACH: Free Open Play every Saturday, 10 am–noon at North Shore Park & Youth Center, 501 72nd Street, and every Sunday, 10 am–noon at Scott Rakow Youth Center, 2700 Sheridan Avenue. Starting next weekend, come meet Coach Tomas Martinez who will lead both programs.
The National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF) is a 501(c)(3) education nonprofit. Contact us at programdirector@sunrisechesscenter.org for inquiries.
A Year-End Thank You, a Special Report & Summer Chess
As another academic year concludes, we want to express our deepest thanks to teachers, parents, and young chess players across South Florida. The annual scholastic report highlights significant gains in student focus, problem-solving, and tournament participation.
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Dear Instructors, Parents, and Chess Enthusiasts,
Thank you for an incredible school year! Through our shared commitment, hundreds of students have discovered the lifelong joy and educational benefits of chess. From classroom instruction to weekend grand prix tournaments, our young players have shown extraordinary discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship.
Our annual report highlights key milestones, including increased scholastic tournament attendance, higher average tactics ratings, and improved academic focus reported by participating educators. As we head into the summer months, we encourage all students to maintain their momentum by participating in local weekend open play sessions and continuing online puzzle training.
Thank you once again for your dedication to scholastic chess excellence!