We offer learning programs in schools in downtown Toronto, weekend chess clubs and summer camps.
Watch Chess Institute of Canada's President Ted Winick's interview on TVO's More2Life 
Compass Fundraiser Tournament on Bathurst
National Chess Camp (one week overnight)
NCC is a partnership of National Music Camp and CIC for children grade 3 to 8 on the shores of Lake Couchiching, 4 to 5 hours of chess a day plus swimming and other sports.
Learn from Natalia Khoudgarian, Canadian Women’s Champion, Goran Milicevic, one of Canada’s best coaches and Peter Boross-Harmer “Mr. Chess in the TDSB.”
Let me explain why Chess Institute of Canada (CIC) and I are partnering with the TORONTO INDEPENDENT HIGH SCHOOL (TIHS) for this event.
1) It first came to my attention through an e-mail from a student at the high school who came up with the idea as a Hospital for Sick Children Fundraiser for a project for his grade 12 business course.
2) The location, 918 Bathurst St., intrigued me because it is two blocks from Palmerston Ave. P.S. and seven blocks from Huron St. P.S.... walking distance to over 100 of my students in those two schools alone.
Located exactly two blocks north of the Bathurst/Bloor subway station, it is easy access to the 1,000 students in the 20+ schools in which we teach.
3) I checked the TIHS website. Then I met the founder and principal of the school, finding our philosophies similar with respect to teaching. In three visits to the school this week, I was impressed by the attitudes of the students.
4) Finding the tournament's motives sound I observed the organizers were not too far along in their preparations, particularly with promotion.
I offered to assist at no cost whatsoever, because I believed in the objective.
The founder, Mr. Neil Cohen, suggested the proceeds go to our Chess Institute. I was pleased with that offer but said I would see if we could firm up directing funds to the Hospital for Sick Children also. Through wonderful relationship that CIC co-founder, David Cohen, has with the hospital, proceeds will now be split 50/50 between the hospital and CIC's new Regent Park Scholarship Fund , which will provide assistance children we teach in the Regent Park and St. James Town communities.
That is the background to the story. The entry fee, set at $10 is quite low for a fundraiser... but very affordable, there is no cost for venue, equipment or officials and helpers. It's very attractive at $10 given all CMA tournaments are $15, are not fundraisers and don't give as much as we will. Included for $10 are:
1) cookies and juice,
2) CMA rated event,
3) medals for 1st three places in each of the divisions,
4) ribbons for all participants,
...and to top it off...
5) The best location (think access) of any children's tournament I can remember.
And thanks to all those who helped: Felix Barrios, Brett Campbell, Erik Malmsten, Ramon Morales, and Francis Rodrigues.
Wishing you all the best,
Ted
To review the last President's Forum go to the Archives.
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