SEATTLE, May 15, 2009-American Astronaut Greg Chamitoff was on the International Space Station from May 2008 to November 2008. While in orbit he started a chess match between 11 members of the Stevenson Elementary School Chess Team in Bellevue, Wash.--the Stevenson teams were the 2008 National K-3 Champions and the 2009 National K-5 Champions. The match began in October 2008 via a satellite linkup, and continued face-to-face at the Super National Elementary Chess Championships in Nashville in April 2009. The game is still in progress--at a pace of one move about every 1-2 weeks--with the students ahead by two pawns after 24 moves. The opponents face-off next at The Museum of Flight on Thursday, May 21 during a public program of tours, chess and space-talk.
Chamitoff will be in Seattle to visit his Stevenson opponents and the local chess community. The Museum of Flight is hosting a special program of events around his visit from 2 - 8 p.m. Except for a private tour in the Museum's space gallery with the Stevenson students at 2 p.m., the events are open to the public. Program is free with Museum admission or membership. Media Alert:
Several hundred members of the local chess community are expected to attend. Please contact Museum PR office to schedule interviews and media opportunities with Chamitoff.
Program:
3 p.m.
Students who are members of chess clubs will be playing chess in the Side Gallery. There will be as many as 40 - 50 games.
5 - 7 p.m.
Museum café is open for dinner.
Chess matches continue in the Side Gallery.
7 - 8 p.m.
Program by Chamitoff about his time on the space station. For more information and video:
http://uschesstrust.com/2009/01/16/greg-chamitoff-returns-to-earth/
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9165/517
