Susan Polgar, Delilah Rene and Kraig Kitchin at a pre-opening walk-through of Delilah's new Port Orchard, Washington, restaurant in 2008.
I have been privileged to be a board member of the Susan Polgar Foundation since late 2003. In 2006, I invited radio personality Delilah Rene to join the SPF Board. In exchange, Susan agreed to serve on the board of Delilah's charity, Point Hope.
The Susan Polgar Foundation (“Susan Polgar Foundation”) was formed as a Florida nonprofit corporation on November 4, 2002 to promote chess as an educational tool for children and to raise self-esteem and confidence in young children especially young girls. Susan Polgar is the winner of four World Chess Championships, 6 Chess Olympic medals (3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze), and she is considered as the pioneer in modern women’s chess.
Susan Polgar was the first woman ever to break the gender barrier to earn the Men’s Chess Grandmaster title (the highest title award in professional chess) and the first to qualify for the Men’s World Chess Championship cycle. She has recently become the first woman in history to be named “Grandmaster of the Year” by the United States Chess Federation.
In order to achieve her mission as the founder of the Susan Polgar Foundation, Susan Polgar Foundation plans to engage in 2 primary activities: (1) serve as the catalyst to popularize chess nationwide and to introduce chess as an important part of children’s education; (2) use chess as a vehicle to raise self-esteem and self-confidence to children across the country. The goal is to give every child in America an opportunity to learn and play chess in a safe and structured environment, regardless of age, gender, race or physical ability. Specifically, Susan Polgar Foundation will focus on encouraging young women and minorities to fully participate in various chess activities.
Susan Polgar Foundation intends to develop specific programs and opportunities to attract these groups. Susan Polgar Foundation also plans to partner with organizations such as the United States Chess Federation and the United States Chess Trust to promote chess and its educational benefits to children nationwide.
