The National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF) is a non-profit
foundation organized for educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code. The NSCF was created in 1991
as a merger between the Westchester Chess Foundation (founded in 1985) and the Fairfield County Chess Foundation.
The Executive Director of the NSCF is
FM Sunil Weeramantry.
Currently, we serve over 30 communities, including
Ardsley, Armonk, Bronxville, Chappaqua, Clarkstown, Cortlandt, Darien, Dobbs Ferry,
Eastchester, Edgemont, Greenburgh, Greenwich, Harrison, Irvington, Katonah, Larchmont,
Mahopac, Mamaroneck, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Portchester, Purchase,
Riverside, Rye, Rye Neck, Scarsdale, Somers, Southport, Stamford, Tarrytown, White Plains, and Yonkers.
Overall, we provide over 150 programs serving over 70 schools .
MISSION
The mission of the NSCF is to bring the benefits of a chess education to children.
The NSCF promotes the study of chess as an educational tool in curricular classes and enrichment programs for elementary, middle and high schools.
The NSCF aspires to meet its social responsibility to assist children
in economically depressed communities to receive the benefits of chess.
The NSCF organizes
tournaments
for those students who are attracted to the competitive aspect of chess
in order to spur them to higher levels of intellectual achievement.
The NSCF provides a national forum for discussing and exploring innovative
teaching techniques in an effort to connect more effectively with students of all ages.
WHY CHESS?
Chess, one of the oldest and most challenging of games, is showing remarkable results
as one of the latest pedagogical tools for young students. Through the
medium of chess, children learn disciplined thinking skills which are applicable
to other intellectual endeavors.
The NSCF endorses the statement of Dr. Robert Ferguson that the discipline
of chess provides the necessary 4th "R" in education - reasoning.
Chess education is extremely effective with children because:
- Chess involves all levels of critical thinking (knowledge, comprehension, analysis, evaluation);
- Chess requires forethought and cultivates visualization skills;
- Chess improves problem solving skills;
- Chess encourages children to overcome the fear of risk-taking;
- Chess teaches concentraton and self-discipline;
- Chess enables children to assume responsibility for their decisions;
- Chess rewards determination and perseverance;
- Chess raises self-esteem and promotes good sportsmanship;
- Chess encourages socialization skills that extend across cultures and generations ;
- Chess is fun!
Children from all backgrounds can succeed at chess. Even children who
are not performing well in school are inspired by chess and show a better
attitude toward learning. The power of chess to transform young minds is
remarkable!
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