NASA and the USCF organized the correspondence chess match between astronaut Greg Chamitoff, in orbit aboard the International Space Station, and the kindergarten through third grade U.S. Chess Championship Team and its chess club teammates from Stevenson Elementary School in Bellevue, Wash. The game moves at a pace of one move per day on weekdays only.

The K-3 champions select up to four possible moves each time it is Earth's turn, and then the public votes on which move will be made. NASA transmits the winning move to Chamitoff, who then responds. Chamitoff has been playing correspondence chess in his off time with NASA’s control centers during his missions. He has added Velcro to the chess pieces to keep them from floating away in weightlessness. So far, he is undefeated.

Media Contacts:

Kelly Humphries, NASA
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
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Glenn Petersen, USCF Chess Life for Kids
732-252-8388
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Coach David Hendricks, Stevenson Team 
WA State Scholastic Coordinator
425-868-3881
425-269-7949
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Hal Bogner, Match Director 
650-284-5062
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