First Move Announces Initial One Million Dollar Commitment for Magnus Carlsen Critical Thinking Grants
SILICON VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — How will Magnus Carlsen top 2013, the history-making year he became World Chess Champion and holds the highest rating of all time? He’s joining forces with America’s Foundation for Chess (AF4C) to bring the First Move chess program into elementary school classrooms as a tool for enhancing critical and creative thinking skills.
As part of this effort, Magnus Carlsen has agreed to be Honorary Chairman for the non-profit joining a prestigious group of sponsors including Paul Tudor Jones, Silicon Valley Bank, Concur, Qualcomm, ZMD and Two Sigma.
This initial grant is the first step toward raising $5M to bring the First Move program to half a million students by 2017.
Optimized for second and third grade classrooms, this formal and interactive chess curriculum gives teachers a powerful tool to engage children in learning chess while providing critical skills that will benefit them for years to come.
Carlsen has seen first-hand how First Move engages students, regardless of gender or background. He also recognizes the importance of teaching chess during the school day to give every student the opportunity to learn and benefit from the centuries old game.
“I love the way chess empowers kids,” said Carlsen. “I consider First Move to be the most strategic way to give kids an advantage and help them live up to their full potential.”
As Honorary Chairman, Carlsen will announce his partnership with America’s Foundation for Chess tonight at a special event hosted by Silicon Valley Bank and the Churchill Club, sponsored by Innovation Norway.
Magnus will play six people simultaneously while blindfolded followed by an interview with avid chess player Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Facebook investor, to talk about Magnus’ rise in the chess world, the value of chess and the impact on kids.