(NEW YORK, NY)- This summer, as Wu-Tang producer RZA aka Bobby Digital tours the United States to promote his new album, he will also spread the benefits of chess through a series of chess and music festivals hosted by national nonprofit organization 9 Queens. The highlight event- the 9 Queens Knockout Invitational- will take place on July 5th, from 3-6 pm at the Chelsea Art Museum.   Earlier this year RZA founded WuChess (www.wuchess.com), the world’s only hip-hop and chess online community. 9 Queens—founded by two-time American Women’s chess champion and Chess ***** author Jennifer Shahade and chess educator Jean Hoffman—provides chess education programs dedicated to extending the benefits of chess to under-served and under-represented populations.


“The 9 Queens WuChess event series is part of a larger campaign to popularize chess throughout the United States,” explains Jean Hoffman 9 Queens co-founder and executive director, “In addition to making chess fun, exciting, and accessible, we are also empowering people to experience the many benefits of chess education.”

The 9 Queens WuChess Summer Series is a three-city chess and music event series designed to promote chess in “nontraditional settings.” Each event will feature RZA playing chess against members of the community to promote the fusion of chess, music and technology.


HIGHLIGHT EVENT
9 Queens Knockout Invitational
Chelsea Art Museum
July 5, 2008 New York, New York

In addition to RZA, the 9 Queens Knockout Invitational will feature 9 other chess celebrities and enthusiasts including Shahade. Spectators can watch as local New York City youth challenge RZA and Shahade in a fast-paced, single elimination speed chess tournament. This event combines the excitement and energy of hip-hop music and art with the natural dramatic appeal of a chess tournament. For more information on the 9 Queens visit www.9queens.org or email Jean Hoffman at jhoffman@9queens.org.

9 Queens WuChess Fest
June 17, 2008 Tucson, Arizona
From 4-7 pm, the 9 Queens’ WuChess Fest will take place at the Historic Hotel Congress (www.hotelcongress.com), a nationally recognized hotel, restaurant and nightclub located in the heart of downtown Tucson. The 9 Queens WuChess Fest will feature free activities for chess players and music fans of all ages and abilities including:
∑ Speed chess tournament
∑ Free chess lessons and puzzles
∑ Face painting
∑ Prizes, exhibitions and games

Learn to Play Chess With RZA and 9 Queens
July 7, 2008 Camden, New Jersey
From 4 to 6 pm at the Camden Community Center, music fans, families and students can learn about chess from RZA and get free lessons from     two-time U.S. Women's Champion Jennifer Shahade. This event launches the 9 Queens Chess Literacy Initiative- a national movement to increase chess literacy in the United States.


For more information on the 9 Queens visit www.9queens.org or email Jean Hoffman at jhoffman@9queens.org. Visit www.wuchess.com to create your own WuChess account.