Chess Foundation Seeks to Inspire Players with Performance

From the National Scholastic Chess Foundation:

More than just a game, throughout its history chess has had an intrinsic relationship with cultures around the world. From its origin in India over 2500 years ago, through the Renaissance and into modern times, chess has been a source of inspiration for painters, sculptors, musicians and writers. As part of its mission to increase appreciation for chess, The National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF) is presenting an afternoon performance entitled “The Queen’s Journey: An Exploration of Chess, Music and Dance” at ArtsWestchester on Saturday, October 22, 2016 beginning at 2:30 pm.

In chess, the Queen symbolizes both grace and power. Her movements will be celebrated in dance by ballerina Adrianna Aguilar to music written by European composer Jason Kouchak who first presented his chess and ballet concept at the British Museum in 2015. The performance will include other chess-inspired music as well as a brief history of the evolution of the queen and an explanation of how chess can inspire group collaboration presented by some of the girls from the NSCF chess programs in New York City, Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

"Each game of chess is like a new melody which beautifully resolves at the end of a journey," says Kouchak in explaining how chess inspires some of his music. “I hope by using a combination of chess, music and ballet we can inspire and inform children of the importance of coordinating together and moving forward in the future together. This performance combines the visual aesthetic, melody and movement to remind us that the game is always greater than the player.”

Founded in 1990, the NSCF offers in-the-curriculum and after-school chess programs in over 70 schools in New York and Connecticut and delivers teacher training for school districts across the United States. The NSCF’s founder and executive director is Sunil Weeramantry, a nationally acclaimed instructor who, in 2017, will celebrate 40 years of teaching and developing award-winning programs.

“In America, there is an emphasis on chess as a competitive activity,” says Weeramantry. “While that is one component of the NSCF programs, we also want to restore the game’s position within the culture. Our goal is to encourage an appreciation of the elegance of chess and an understanding of its history.”

The Queen’s Journey is a free event but seating is limited and reservations are required. For tickets, visit here.

About NSCF: Dedicated to improving education and inspiring excellence through chess, the National Scholastic Chess Foundation specializes in curricular chess instruction and offers strategic development support for schools and other partners. With headquarters in White Plains, NY, NSCF offers chess instruction within the curriculum as well as in after school in over 70 schools in 30 different communities in New York and Connecticut. NSCF’s founder and executive director is Sunil Weeramantry, a nationally acclaimed instructor who has 40 years of experience teaching, coaching and developing award-winning programs.

Photo credit: Ray Morris-Hill: European composer Jason Kouchak first presented his chess ballet at the British Museum in London. On October 22, it will be staged as part of The Queen’s Journey, an exploration of chess, music and dance presented by the National Scholastic Chess Foundation at ArtsWestchester in White Plains. Visit here for details.

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