one world one game

Chess Foundation

WHY Chicago

No City in the United States has ever had the opportunity to host the World Chess Olympiad and Chicago, on the shores of Lake Michigan, is an ideal location for the 2016 Olympiad. Chicago’s economic and cultural diversity is unmatched and the Chicago of 2016 will be well prepared for the Olympiad.

Besides being the birthplace of Bobby Fischer, Chicago has a long history with hosting chess tournaments. Chicago hosted the 1983 World Youth Team Championship, the Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship in 1968, 1970, 1978 and 1999, and the US Open 14 times between in 1903 and 2006.  In addition to the many tournaments and events held each year, the annual Chicago Open is one of the most attended chess tournaments in the United States.

Chicago is a city that is serious about sports competition and for hosting world-class events. Chicago sports fans support many sports beyond the Bears, Cubs and Sox. Recently, when World Sport Chicago staged the first Chicago Cup, an international wrestling meet at Northwestern University, 3,000 people showed up despite a raging snowstorm.

In addition, the city regularly welcomes internationally-recognized music festivals, cultural symposiums, and art exhibitions and is known worldwide for its warmth and hospitality.

In November 2008, a delegation was sent to the 38^th Chess Olympiad held in Dresden, Germany.  The delegation met with Senior FIDE officials, Continental Officials, and key members in the world chess community who were all very receptive to Chicago being a host City. 

Back home in Chicago we have already secured support from local, state and national officials as well as key members in the business community.

Our plan is to use this opportunity to increase the prestige and prominence of chess not only in the Chicago area but throughout the United States and the world.  Through the formation Chess Olympiad Chicago 2016 we have establish a board of directors and advisory board whose members represent a wide array of interests in the chess community and beyond. 

Leading the campaign to promote Chicago’s candidacy are David and Sheila Heiser founders of the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation.  As the leading chess organization in Chicago they work closely with Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events and Chicago Public Schools (CPS).  They have provided chess activates at many community events including the Taste of Chicago and are the organizers for the annual Mayor Daley's Holiday Sports Chess Championship and the CPS playoff and championship tournaments.

Assisting the Heisers has been Grandmaster Sam Palatnik. GM Palatnik is considered one of the world's best chess coaches and has coached two world champions, gold- and silver-medal winning teams from Ukraine, India, Argentina, and the United States and the 2007 Denker Tournament of High School Champions winner.  He is currently the associate director for chess at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a former Executive Director of the Ukrainian National Chess Academy in Kiev and  former Vice-President of the Ukraine Chess Federation.