Chess Notes 1/14

Class Resumes Tonight!

After a long holiday break, CHESS CLASS RESUMES tonight at the MHS cafeteria!  Mr. Matt and Mr. Andy will be giving lessons, followed by LADDER GAMES.

Parents, I will be available at the beginning of class to talk about chess tournaments coming up (see below) and to answer any questions you may have.

In general, we have a LOT of work to do on playing SMART games and focusing on what the other player is doing.  There is far too much focus on playing fast (there is NO prize for this), and thinking only about our own game.  We also see FAR TOO FEW games being played on chess.com.  Practice is the only way to improve.

In-Class Tournament Starts Next Week!

We have decided to have our own CLUB TOURNAMENT during class!   We are starting this club tournament NEXT WEEK 1/21 and will continue for 6 weeks, playing one tournament match each week!  The K-12 champion will be named Club Champion for 2015!  There will also be a K-6 and K-3 club champion.  This tournament is free to all members of the club, no rating required.  More details to come.

Goodrich Tournament this Saturday 1/17!

This Saturday, there is a good scholastic tournament at Goodrich Elementary.  This WSCF tournament is a great chance for young players to play an unrated event against a new set of players!   To register, visit http://wisconsinscholasticchess.org OR REPLY TO THIS EMAIL with child name, school, grade and section (in tournament) and I will register him/her!   Mark and others will be in attendance to help kids between rounds.

January 24 - Two Choices

On Sat Jan 24, there are two choices I would recommend:

Choice 1: For beginning players looking for a good local tournament, I recommend IAC's tournament at Brookfield Academy.  You can register for this tournament by visiting http://ia-chess.com/registration/tournamentinfo.html?id=33 OR BY REPLYING TO THIS EMAIL with child name, school grade and section in tournament, and I will register him/her.

Choice 2: For advanced players (700 and above, USCF rated), I recommend the Northeastern Open in Neenah.  This is a two-day slow-play tournament held at the Holiday Inn in Neenah.  I will be at this tournament with a few of our top boards.  This is an INDIVIDUAL (not team) tournament challenge with many masters from WI and IL in attendance.  There is an OPEN and RESERVE (under 1500 division.  click here for details on how to register, or reply to this email if you like.

January 31- Action Chess State Championship in Madison

Flyer Attached to this email.  This is a true state championship, for individuals and teams. We have been competing in "G30" (action) type games for many years, and this is the chance to flex our muscles a bit in these quicker games.  Four divisions - Open, U1400, K-12 Scholastic (USCF rated) and K-5 non rated.

This tournament is in Madison at Shorewood Hills Elementary School.  See flyer attached.

Please RSVP for this tournament by replying to this email.  All questions about the tournament should be directed to abetaneli@hotmail.com or by calling608-334-2574.