MADISON — Ranae Bartlett, who believes chess prepares children not only to win, but also to lose, has been honored by the US Chess Federation for her work in chess education.

Bartlett and co-chair John Galvin’s Chess in Education Working Group was named the federation’s Committee of the Year. The committee works to help define chess in education. The US Chess Federation is the governing body for chess competition in the United States.

Bartlett, a Madison city councilwoman, said she is honored to be recognized by the US Chess Federation for her work to highlight the positive impact of chess programs.

“Chess prepares children for life,” she said.

In addition to serving on the city council, Bartlett is the executive director of the Madison City Chess League and introduced chess programs into the school system in 2013.  Madison City Schools now has more than 5,000 students participating in school chess clubs. The league has extended its program throughout Madison County.

“MCCL is now hosting tournaments in Huntsville City, Madison County, and Madison City Schools as well as Monday Night Chess at Madison Library,” Bartlett said. “I would love to introduce the game of chess to every student in America.

“By working with the US Chess Federation and as Education Director for ChessKid.com, we may be able to accomplish that – at least, that’s the goal.”

US Chess Executive Director Carol Meyer praised Bartlett’s contribution to chess in education.

“Ranae Bartlett is the type of leader who has the unusual gift of synthesizing disparate ideas into a compelling framework that makes sense to those who read it,” Meyer said. “She contributes with a deep base of knowledge, respect for the ideas of others, and the skill to move a group along toward its end goal.”

The US Chess Awards Ceremony will be Aug. 5 at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The U.S. Open chess tournament will be July 30-Aug. 7.