NJ All-Girls Chess Camp

Dear friends, my name is Alice Dong. If you don't know me, I am one of the top-ranked girls of the USCF (United States Chess Federation). I became an Expert at age 12, and won the 9th Susan Polgar National Invitational Championship for Girls. I have represented US twice at the World Youth Chess Championships. Chess is not only my hobby but also a major part of my life. Chess has taken me to countless places and numerous foreign countries. It has also brought me friendship, an abundance of joy, and sometimes tears.

One phenomenon I have observed in the past years is that there are very few girls in chess tournaments. Sadly, it's the reality. Girls are not encouraged to play chess, though they are performing as well as boys in other areas that require intelligence . They are deprived of one of the privileges that should be offered to everyone, this then gave me the idea of helping promote chess among girls in order to change this reality.

I am currently organizing an all-girls chess camp in NJ on Nov 6-7, the two no-school days for the NJ annual educational convention, to introduce girls to enjoy chess. Our message is:

Chess is fun and cool!

It will be free for all participants, and I'd like to have each participant a chess set to take home, so that they can continue playing and further their interest. I will personally sponsor at least 20 girls, but I need financial support to cover more girls and other costs. That's where I need your help. Any donation will be appreciated. With $10, $20, you could change a girl's life, just as my life was changed 8 years ago, when a passionate volunteer parent handed me a leaflet for after-school chess club.

More details will be posted later here and on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gcnj2014