The Susan Polgar Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation supported by charitable donations. The Foundation was established by GM Susan Polgar - the Winner of 4 Women's World Chess Championships, 10 Olympic Medals (5 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze), and the first woman in history to break the gender barrier in chess.
The foundation began back in 2002 with the passion and commitment of moving the benefits and worthwhile lessons the game can bring to life. The benefits of chess such as developing decision making, critical thinking, logical thinking, evaluating, planning, problem solving, and perseverance skills are just a few beneficial rewards of playing the game.
Chess also improves concentration, memory, intuition and self-control while promoting independence, imagination and creativity. "Chess is combining, I think, so many important qualities in life, such as concentration, focusing and planning ahead, and taking into account the people around you, and precision, and research, and psychology, and time management, and a number of other very important life skills that we deal with on an everyday basis. I believe chess teaches you to be more responsible," states Susan.
Since the foundation was started back in 2002, many events have blossomed and become the benchmark events for young girls across the United States. Events such as the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls, Susan Polgar National Open Championship for Girls, Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls, Susan Polgar All-Star Girl's Chess Team, NY City Mayor's Cup Invitational Tournament, SPICE Cup, and the New York Governor's Cup All-Girls Championship all represent the finest in young competitive chess found in the world.
The Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls, now in its 5th year, is a culmination of a series of regional and state qualifying events over the previous 12 months that involved over 3,000 vying to represent their respective states. The 5th year, which was held back in August at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, featured young women chess competitors that competied for the title and also for a academic scholarship valued at $75,000, to the Texas Tech University (TTU), a prominent supporter of scholastic and college chess.
Since its inception, the Susan Polgar Foundation has awarded approximately $1 million in chess scholarships and prizes to young people across the country.
