RICHARDSON, Texas (April 21, 2004) — In June, the chess program at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) will offer two week-long chess camps for youngsters aged 7–15 taught by members of the UTD’s three-time Pan American-champion chess team.

The camps are scheduled for June 7–11 and June 14–18. The programs, which will be held in classrooms in the School of Management building, will include free play, speed chess and tournament games, among other activities. UTD is located at 2601 N. Floyd Road (just north of Campbell Road) in Richardson.

Chess has been shown to help youngsters develop reading and mathematical ability, strengthen analytical thinking and build character and self-esteem. For the two UTD camps, students will receive instruction specifically geared toward their playing level, age and experience.

Members of the UTD chess team are amply qualified to teach the game — they have won the Final Four of college chess twice and won or tied for first place in the Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship three of the last four years.

The cost of attending all-day sessions for one week of the camp is $270 if paid on before May 7 and $290 thereafter. Half-day rates morning- or afternoon-only sessions are $175 by or before May 7 and $195 thereafter. The morning sessions will run from 9 a.m. to noon and the afternoon sessions from 1 to 4 p.m. Extended sessions will be available at an additional cost, and discounts will be provided for parents who volunteer to assist with campers at the camp for the full day. Snacks will be provided, but children should bring their own lunches.

All participants will receive a T-shirt, chessboard and pieces, participation medal and certificate, score book and a group photograph. Proceeds from the camp will benefit the UTD chess program and may be used for scholarships.

Instructors will i nclude Grandmaster Marcin Kaminski and other members of UTD’s team, five-time Texas state champion and FIDE Master John Jacobs and United States Chess Federation Senior Tournament Director Susan Breeding.

For addition information, please c all or e-mail James Stallings, associate director of chess and education, at 972-883-2898 or james.stallings@utdallas.edu.

About UTD

The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor®, enrolls more than 13,700 students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s web site at www.utdallas.edu.