26 March 2010
Dear friends of our beloved game of chess!
It is my pleasure to announce that the 2010 Chess Journalism Awards are open for your submissions!
I will keep my introduction short but to the point:
These awards are for YOU. I would like as many people as possible to apply, so we can have a chance to recognize YOU for the good you are doing for CHESS. There are MANY categories, including ones in which YOU are likely to have contributed (best chess blog, best analysis, best review, best interview, best chess photo…) and so YOU can have a chance to get one of the prestigious CJA awards and be published as a winner in the most circulated chess magazine in the world, “Chess Life“.
To apply is super easy and is open to any citizen of the USA or of the whole world. If you’re not yet a member of the CJA, just become one – see my previous post asking you to join the CJA (cost is only $10 USA, $15 non-USA). All the rules for applying are below, you can even apply in different categories to increase your chances. You have until June 2 to submit your entries.
Now please do me a favor, think of all the great chess journalism (web, print, photo, video) you did last year, think how nice it would be to be recognized for it, and apply for an award!
General Information about the 2010 CJA Awards:
Recipient of the 2009 Chess Journalist of the Year Award and Grandmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk, President of the Chess Journalists of America, and Ramon A. Hernandez, Chairman of the CJA Awards Committee and Chief Judge, announce their annual call for entries to the 2010 Annual CJA Chess Journalism Awards. The CJA awards honor the best in all facets of chess journalism. From journalism in print to those written and published online, the most excellent in chess articles, columns, photojournalism, infographics, layout and online are honored within their respective categories. Winners will be recognized in Chess Life and The Chess Journalist and will receive certificates.
Please note that submission rules have changed from past years.
Please read the following directions before submitting an entry or multiple entries for consideration. You may submit an entry for one or more categories. In addition, you may also submit several entries for various categories. Each entry must be entered accompanied with its own cover sheet (provided below) There is small fee which must accompany each entry or the entry will not be reviewed for consideration. Any questions on the CJA Awards should be directed to the CJA Awards Committee Chairman and Chief Judge Ramon Antonio Hernandez at rahernan@optonline.net.
Submitting an Entry
Each entry must contain the following:
* A check or money order (no cash) in the total amount of your entry payable to Chess Journalists of America. If you prefer to pay by Paypal, please contact me.
* One cover sheet per each entry you are submitting. A copy of the cover sheet is enclosed within this file. In addition, the cover sheet is available to download at our CJA website: http://chessjournalism.org
* Print entries: All entries which did not run in Chess Life or Chess Life for Kids must be submitted off a tear sheet and therefore must be [a hard copy] cut straight down the middle of the publication’s page. In addition, the same holds true for cartoons or photos. If the entry did run in Chess Life or Chess Life for Kids please mail a photocopy or a pdf of the entry as published in either respective publication. Entries which ran in CL and CL4K please indicate publication month which it ran in and which of the two it ran in.
NOTE: Entries for the Best State Magazine/Newsletter award category must send four copies of four original sets of one year’s worth of issues.
* Online entries: Entries which appear on the internet must provide the URL which contains the entry. The writer’s name must be attributed to the name of the individual on the award’s cover sheet.
If you must submit a print entry, mail five copies of the entry to the aforementioned address. By submitting an entry to the Awards, you are giving the CJA the right to display the entry on its website.
Eligibility: All entries must be for work published between June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2010. CJA’s Annual Chess Journalism Awards are open to any individual currently a CJA Regular Member, a CJA Life Member or those eligible to become a CJA Regular Member. You may submit entries to multiple categories.
Fees: All entries require an entry fee of $15 for the first entry (includes 1 year of membership in the CJA) and $8 for each additional entry. Life members receive the first entry free, $8 for each additional entry submitted.
Cover Sheets: One cover sheet must be stapled to each copy of print entries (originals and copies). Sheets are available at http://chessjournalism.org or by mail upon request to the awards committee chairman.
Entry Deadline: All entries must be received on or by Wednesday June 2, 2010.
Address: Mail the completed entry package to Chief Judge Ramon A. Hernandez; 1996 Anthony Avenue; Apartment #2B; Bronx, NY 10457-3911. Make checks payable to Chess Journalists of America. If you’d prefer to pay via Paypal, please contact me.
Judges: Volunteer judges are needed, CJA members or others interested in chess journalism should contact Ramon A. Hernandez at cja-entries2010@chessjournalism.org for information.
Send entries to the Chief Judge, with checks payable to Chess Journalists of America or proof of payment via Paypal:
Ramon A. Hernandez
1996 Anthony Avenue
Apartment #2B
Bronx, NY 10457-3911
The coversheet can be downloaded by clicking one of the following links.
Instructions (PDF format)
Cover Sheet (PDF format)
To view Entries Received click here.
The following categories are open only to print journalist and print publications.
THE TOP FOUR
Chess Journalist of the Year: Awarded to the individual who has contributed the most to chess journalism within the past year. Only work from the past year will be considered. CJA members vote by mail ballot to select the winner; please provide resume of work (i.e. articles) for the CJA website.
Best Story of the Year: Recognizes initiative and original news reporting of a situation, problem or issue affecting chess within the past year. Judges will look for entries which show leadership, quality writing, sensitivity and fairness. Please send a tear sheet of the page(s) containing the article, websites are ineligible for this award and it is open to individuals who are and aren’t members of the mainstream media.
Best Chess Column: Awarded to the columnist for best spotlighting a story which focuses on in depth news, explains recent events or revolves around a features (human-interest) story as they each relate to chess. Please send three columns, four tear sheets of each column.
Best State Magazine/Newsletter: Awarded to the best USCF state chapter and their editor-in-chief for overall excellence in news articles, features stories, features section (cartoons); graphics, photography, layout and ability to reach their state members through this medium. Please send four copies of four original sets of one year’s worth of issues. States with two publications must submit and thereby enter them separately. The entry must be the official state publication of their respective USCF state chapter/affiliate.
NEWS
Best Tournament Report Article: Presented to the writer who best covers and conveys a story of a tournament occurring within the past year.
EDITORIAL
Best Editorial: Editorials, signed or unsigned, written by one individual, that speak for the magazine/newsletter or their organization and takes a clear stand on a chess issue.
LAYOUT
Best Chess Magazine/Newsletter Layout: Honors visual excellence in designing spreads within the chess magazine/newsletter and use of each space per page. Send four of the same issues published between June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2010 demonstrating the publication’s use of page designing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Best Recognition in Chess Advertising: Honoring an in house advertisement staff, staff ad member or outside ad agency who has submitted an ad either selling a product, house ad or ad campaign all in relation to chess. If the ad was done by an ad agency then please give the ad agency’s contact information. This award is limited to print media (mainstream or not)
MAINSTREAM MEDIA
Excellence in Chess Writing, Mainstream Media: Entries ineligible for other categories. Awarded to chess writing in a mainstream publication (defined as a magazine listed in the Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature). Regular chess features ineligible.
Best Regular Newspaper Column: This award includes syndicated columns and will be awarded to the columnist for who best spotlights a story which focuses on in depth news, explains recent events or revolves around a features (human-interest) story as they each relate to chess.
Best Regular Newspaper Article of Local Interest: Limited to local, metropolitan or regional columns. This award will be presented to the reporter who best spotlights a story which focuses on in depth news, explains recent events or revolves around a features (human-interest) story as they each relate to chess. It is also open to non-mainstream media publications and their editorial staff.
The following categories are open to journalist and publications both in print and those found online.
PHOTOJOURNALISM
Best Chess Photojournalism: A single photograph portraying some aspect of chess. This award aims at recognizing the craft of photographically reporting chess, not just the artistic and technical qualities of photography. Please send a tear sheet of the page containing the photograph which should have the photo credit along side it. If the entry is on the web, please submit the URL containing the entry and acknowledging yourself as the photojournalist who captured the shot near the photo.
FEATURES
Best Instructive Lesson: For written lessons of a game of chess, (should be a lesson, not just an annotated game).
Best Review: Presented to a writer for the best review of a book, software, etc.
Best Humorous Contribution: Open to chess jokes, cartoon, satire, irony, parody, etc. Judges will decide on the basis of which entry bought of the most laughter in contrast to other items entered within the category.
NEWS or FEATURES
Most Notable Achievement in Correspondence Chess: For journalistic work of any type (article, photojournalism, graphic, editorial, etc.) regarding correspondence chess.
Best Historical Article: For articles describing an aspect of chess history, especially those tying chess history to social or cultural events from the past.
Best Interview: Not limited to a question and answer session, this award will be judged on the reporter’s/writer’s ability to show skill in eliciting instructive, emotional and revealing responses.
Best Chess Art: Send a magazine/newsletter cover, internet display, etc. If the entry is posted on the web you must be the designer of the artwork and owner of the website or affiliated with the organization who owns the URL.
Best Analysis: For openings, middlegames, endgames, games or groups of games analyzed deeply. Please send a tear sheet of the page(s) or URL containing the pgn pictures and analysis.
The following categories are open only to online journalist and their websites.
NEW MEDIA
Best [USCF] State Chapter Website: Awarded to the top website which must be produced and maintained primarily by a member of that United State Chess Federation’s (USCF) state affiliate. Awards will be based on design, ease of navigation, writing and editing, graphics and interactivity.
Best General Chess Website: Awarded to the top website which focuses on chess (either by offering instructional tips, serves as reference, etc) Awards will be based on design, purpose, ease of navigation, writing and editing, graphics and interactivity.
Best Streamed Video of Chess News: Awarded to the best streaming video news and news video clips streamed on the internet on a website owned by oneself or that allows one to upload a video for which can be streamed by the public. The content must be newsworthy in chess and uploaded within the past year.
Best Chess Blog: Open to online chess blogs. Send URLs of three best blog entries off the same top-level domain. Blogs will be judged on visual appeal, content and ability to draw constructive comments from readers.
Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk
Women’s World Chess Champion
President of the Chess Journalists of America
