April 28, 2011

Joshua Buck Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100 jbuck@nasa gov

Kelly Humphries Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 kelly o humphries@nasa gov

Glenn Petersen U S Chess Federation, Crossville, Tenn 732-252-8388 gpetersen@uschess org RELEASE: 11-129

NASA ASTRONAUTS CHALLENGE EARTHLINGS TO CHESS REMATCH

HOUSTON -- NASA astronauts Greg Chamitoff and Greg H Johnson, who will launch into space Friday, April 29, are challenging the people of Earth to a chess rematch NASA and the U S Chess Federation (USCF) hosted the first Earth vs space match in 2008 when Chamitoff lived aboard the International Space Station

The public won that match thanks to help from chess champions at Stevenson Elementary School in Bellevue, Wash

"Chess is a great game that challenges the mind and helps young people develop critical thinking skills that will serve them well in math, science, and all aspects of their future careers," Chamitoff said

He and Johnson will play the game during their 14-day space shuttle flight to the International Space Station The USCF will facilitate the match on its website at:

http://www uschess org/nasa2011/

At the site, the public can suggest or vote on a chess move The USCF will decide how to respond to the astronauts' moves NASA and USCF will use Twitter and Facebook to notify participants about the status of the game and when to vote on moves

"We hope the excitement and interest this game generates will inspire students to become interested in chess," said USCF Executive Director Bill Hall

Chamitoff, who will conduct two spacewalks during the shuttle mission, is a chess aficionado He took a chess set when he launched to the space station in May 2008, and brought it back when he returned home in November 2008 He will be taking a different chess set for this trip

"We hope to do better in this Earth vs space match," Chamitoff said "But, I have to admit it will be a challenge because we have an extremely busy flight ahead of us "

Updates on the chess match will be posted on the USCF Twitter and Facebook sites, Chamitoff's Twitter account and the International Space Station's official Facebook page:

http://twitter com/chessmagnet

http://www facebook com/pages/Earth-vs-Space-Chess-Match-2011

http://twitter com/Astro_Taz

http://facebook com/ISS/

For more about Chamitoff, the space shuttle and the space station, visit:

http://www nasa gov

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