Resident Inducted Into NY State Chess Hall Of Fame

Phyllis Benjamin, representing the New York State Chess Association, presents the Chess Hall of Fame Award to Margarita Lanides, founder and director of the Long Island Chess Nuts. Margarita Lanides, founder and director of the Long Island Chess Nuts, a non-profit organization whose goal is to help children improve through chess, has been voted the 2006 New York State Chess Association Hall of Fame inductee. The New York State Chess Association, in existence for over 100 years, is the oldest chess organization in the U.S. It honors one individual each year who has made an important contribution to chess.

The award was presented by Phyllis Benjamin, representing the New York State Chess Association, and Henry Holly, representing Senator Kemp Hannon.

Mrs. Phyllis Benjamin stated, "I presented [Margarita Lanides] with a beautiful plaque inscribed with our appreciation for her tireless efforts on behalf of the New York State chess community. Margarita accepted the plaque during the standing room only awards ceremony held for the [2006] NYS Game 45 Championship and the L. I. Scholastics at Adelphi University in Garden City. Lanides became the first woman inducted into the New York State Chess Association Hall of Fame.

Mr. Henry Holly, representing Senator Kemp Hannon, is in the center with Margarita Lanides. L. I. Chess Nuts coaches pictured are: seated in front (left to right): Jason Luchan, Brian Karen, Robert Guevera, and Joe Felber. Standing (back row): Bob Sostack, John Ziermann, Tim Mirabile, Joel Salman, Henry Holly, Margarita Lanides, John Lanides, Elias Lanides, and Harold Stenzel. Pictures taken by Bill Lanides. "Margarita was selected for this honor because of her intense devotion to the advancement of chess for children and adults through various activities in the ten years that the Chess Nuts have been in operation: operating a very successful scholastic chess club, conducting annual chess camps for kids, holding frequent tournaments, organizing and encouraging her club's students to play in such national events as the U.S. Amateur Team Championship and the National Scholastics. Margarita is assisted in her chess endeavors by her husband, John, and a dedicated staff of coaches.

Standing room only at the awards ceremony, Adelphi University, Garden City. "We congratulate Margarita for being an all around inspiration for chess players and organizers, and overall ambassador for chess on Long Island, and we wish her and Chess Nuts many more years of great success on the chess board!"

The awards ceremony took place at the L. I. Chess Nuts' state-wide chess tournament, which has become one of the largest annual chess events sanctioned by the New York State Chess Association. Players range from top Grandmasters to kindergartners, playing in their first tournament. The ninth annual Championship is scheduled for Sunday, March 4th, 2007. The public is invited to participate by playing in the tournament, or by being a spectator, for which there is no charge. Come by and watch some of the best chess players in the world in action!

Margarita has always had a passion for helping children through education. She holds degrees in mathematics and education. Having taught math, she has also volunteered at many organizations, including the L. I. Children's Museum, the Goudreau Math Museum, and as past president of the P.T.A. at her local church. L. I. Chess Nuts is celebrating its' tenth year, and has grown from 10 children meeting at the Garden City Public Library, to over 2,000 children learning and playing chess throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. There are L. I. Chess Nuts programs being held in over 45 schools and over 40 libraries throughout the year. In addition, over 100 children from numerous towns meet in Garden City on Thursday and Friday afternoons for chess instruction, with more programs being planned for weekends. They also hold a Chess Camp, "Bughouse" Tournaments, and other nationally-rated scholastic tournaments throughout the year. All are geared to offering children friendly competition, challenging their minds, improving their skills, enjoying the camaraderie of others their age, and having fun. Studies have shown that playing chess not only increases confidence and self-esteem, but it also improves reading levels, math scores, and overall school grades.