🚀 go-pugleaf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
David Miriguay
Email: info@chess.ca
Web Address: www.chess.ca

ACADEMIC ASPIRATIONS  HEIGHTENED
WITH ON-LINE CHESS MANUAL

Ottawa, Canada, September 14, 1998 � The Chess Federation of Canada (CFC)
announces the availability of its Schools Training Manual via the Internet.
Running into its second school year, the School Training Manual is now
available for free to any Canadian educational institution intent on
introducing chess into its academic curricula and extra curricular
activities.

Continuing school board budget cuts make the cost of hiring chess
instructors difficult. The CFC has solved this issue by designing an
economically viable program that empowers teachers with the tools they need
to teach chess. The CFC�s School Training Manual has been used to establish
and improve existing math programs and extracurricular chess clubs. An
invaluable tool and cost-effective solution, the school assistance program
is a proven success in the eyes of the CFC and all teachers involved.

The overwhelming demand for the Manual in the 1997/1998 school year (in
excess of 1,000 manuals were sent out), prompted the creation of an Internet
version of the School Training Manual. Available for download from the Chess
Federation of Canada�s website, (www.chess.ca), the School Training Manual
is readable on any platform with the provided Adobe(R) Acrobat(R). Free to
teachers in Canada (K-12), instructors can print complete versions of the
manual and individual lessons, or teach students directly from the computer.

Produced by one of Canada's premier chess players and teachers,
International Master Tom O'Donnell worked and consulted with other school
teachers and chess trainers to develop the 26 lesson chess manual which
spans some 300 pages. Each chapter contains a full overview, a description
of individual lessons, as well as student question and teacher answer
sheets. Designed and geared to take the teacher, step-by-step, the manual
covers the basics of chess and more advanced concepts.

Troy Vail, Executive Director with the Chess Federation of Canada commented
proudly on the success of the School Training Manual Program. �Over 1,000
manuals were mailed to school teachers throughout Canada during the
1997-1998 school year. In our first year alone, we reached over 700 schools.
The introduction of the electronic manual not only eliminates mailing costs,
it also improves our out-reach to schools using the Internet for course
instruction.�

Harriet Zaidman, a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg commented, �This manual is
useful both for teachers who are inexperienced at chess and those who know
the game. Any fears novices may have about teaching a game they don�t know
can be dismissed - the teacher can learn at the same time without fear of
being overwhelmed. Each lesson is precisely written and illustrated using
clear chess diagrams to outline the answer to the chess problems presented.
The manual is free and teachers have permission to duplicate the lessons for
educational purposes. Now, no school will have any excuse for not having a
chess program.�

When questioned about the CFC�s future aspirations for the program, Troy
Vail replied, �Our hope is that this manual will generate a greater
awareness of the benefits chess as a learning aid for students. So far, the
feedback we�ve received is positive. We�ve received numerous telephone calls
and letters from teachers commenting that they had always acknowledged the
academic benefit of providing chess to their students, but they didn�t have
the resources, skill or knowledge to piece together a cohesive program. They
are glad the CFC has assisted them with this learning tool.�

- End -


Background on Chess Federation of Canada
The Chess Federation of Canada (CFC) is a self-sufficient, charitable
organization whose mandate is to promote and encourage the knowledge, study
and play of the game of chess within Canada. In existence for more than 100
years, the CFC has supplied chess players with chess books, sets, boards,
clocks, and computers, is responsible for organizing National Championships,
and providing funding for the winners to attend World Chess Championships.
In addition, the CFC has, since 1964, assumed the responsibility of sending
a team to every World Chess Olympiad.

- End of Background -