Chess makes kids think

Kids put strategy to the test
Library hosts annual chess tournament
5:43 PM, Nov. 12, 2011

Put 60 kids in a room together and chances are you’ll have difficulty hearing anything over the dull roar of their chatter.

On Saturday at the Iowa City Public Library, however, the 60 children in attendance were so quiet you could her a pin drop.

Or, more accurately, a chess piece.

Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library was the site of the library’s annual Kids’ Chess Tournament. Children’s librarian Katherine Hadley said the event — free to third- through sixth-grade students — was in its 13th year. Hadley said she started the event with local chess tutor and enthusiast Steve Young to give children who were interested in chess a neutral place to gather and play.

“It brings them into the library,” Hadley said, noting the library has all sorts of chess-related media available. “It gets kids away from computers.”

Children of all skill levels were paired off and pitted against one another. Winners went on to play other winners, while the others could stick around and continue playing. The lack of an elimination in the tournament meant participants could continue to play, learn and grow more comfortable with their skills. Participants were promised at least four matches. Refreshments also were served.

Young, president of the Iowa State Chess Association, said he has been playing since junor high or the “Fischer area,” referring to chess legend Bobby Fischer. Young said he was pleased to see so many young children turn out for the tournament.

“I want to see new chess players,” he said. “Chess makes kids think.”

Young said chess helps children develop good sportsmanship and points to research that shows it also helps participants develop their logical thinking ability. Young and other chess enthusiasts were on hand for the tournament to answer questions for the players.

The tournament drew classmates Oliver Parsons, 10, and Sophie Trom, 9 — both fourth-grade students at Lincoln Elementary School — to the tournament. The students said they have a chess club at school and have participated in tournaments in the past.

“I like the strategy and the thinking,” Oliver said.

“It’s just really fun,” Sophie added.

Hadley said every player would receive ribbons for participating. Trophies were awarded to first- and second-place finishers in the beginner and advanced divisions.

Source: http://www.press-citizen.com

9th “Get Smart! Play Chess!” Winter Scholastic Chess Championship

9th “Get Smart! Play Chess!” Winter Scholastic Chess Championship
Saturday, December 3, 2011

A 4 Round Swiss System Tournament (Game/30)
Event Site: Science Spectrum, 2579 S. Loop 289 Lubbock, TX
Contact Info: 806-742-7742 E-mail: Spice@ttu.edu

Description of Event: Individual and Team Scholastic Championship with rated and unrated sections.

Games are played in six sections: Primary (K-2), Elementary (K-5), Middle School (K-8), High School (K-12) (no USCF membership required) and two Rated “Championship” sections K-5 and K-12. There is a total of 30 minutes maximum per player per game.

On-site registration and check in 8:30am-10:00am. All players must check in by 10:15am. Later arrival will receive a ½ point bye for the first round.

Round schedule: 10:30am -11:45am-1:15pm and 2:30pm. UIL Invitational Puzzle-Solving at 9:30am.

Entry Fees: $10 received by 11/23; $15 received by 12/2, or on site $20. No USCF membership required except in the Rated “Championship” sections. Membership can be obtained at www.uschess.org or onsite on 12/3 until 10am. The advance entry for the UIL Puzzle Solving is $5, onsite $10.

Entry fee includes access to the museum OR one free IMAX movie. (For accompanying person there is an optional discounted entry ($4.50) to the museum or to the IMAX theatre. The discounted combined ticket is $7.)

Prizes: Trophies for top 3 finishers in each section. Trophies to top 3 school teams in each section.

Special valuable chess prizes to the top overall finisher in each section sponsored by the Susan Polgar Foundation! Team prizes are based on the top 3 individual scores from the same school within the same section. Also special trophy for top Sibling, top Parent/Child and top Coach/Student teams. Prize giving ceremony will be held shortly after the end of the last game which is around 3:45pm.

Chess boards and sets will be provided. Bring a chess clock if you have one.

Please register and send Entry Blank and Fees to TTU-SPICE send to: SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080. Additional information on www.spice.ttu.edu

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Entry Form 12-3-11: Please PRINT all information and make check/money order to TTU-SPICE.

Name: _______________________ Phone: (_____) __________School_____________
Address: __________________________ City/State: _____________ Zip:__________
Email: __________________________ DOB: _____________Section______________
USCF Rating (if any) _____USCF ID#:_______ Amount Enclosed (No cash, please) $______
Sibling Team____Parent/Child Team___ Student/Coach Team___ Bye request R1 R2 R3 R4

Giant killer

Giant Killer: Five-year-old chess whiz towels up kids twice his age
Local News7 Nov 11 @ 04:23pm
by Andrew Priestley

HE may be 120cm tall, but five-year-old chess player Hugo Pike is a giant killer.

Hugo beat competitors twice his age when he took part on the Northern Beaches Primary School One-Day Challenge chess tournament at Mona Vale Public School last week, with more than 220 competitors.

The youngest player in Balgowlah North Public School’s 20-pupil team, Hugo beat Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils at the tournament to win three of his five games.

The competition was Hugo’s chess tournament debut, after he started with the school’s chess club this year.

“I’m pretty happy. I’ve been playing chess for just a few months now,” he said.

Chess team coach Miro Nowak was astounded by Hugo’s performance.

"I think it’s nothing short of spectacular,’’ he said.

''He coped with the pressure beautifully. I can’t believe it. I’m very surprised.

"It is very rare.’‘

Mona Vale Public School’s B team won the tournament, scoring 13.5 out of a possible 15 points.

See journalist Andrew Priestley take on Hugo at chess in Wednesday’s Manly Daily.

Source: http://origin.manly-daily.whereilive.com.au

You either win or learn

Paredes Elementary School hosts district chess tournament

November 05, 2011 9:40 PM

By JACQUELINE ARMENDARIZ
The Brownsville Herald

There were cheerleaders, pizza and the excited yells of players — and that was only elementary-level chess practice at the school district tournament that welcomed 806 players on Saturday to Paredes Elementary.

Over the years, BISD has presented its successful chess program as a tool to reach students in an area with high poverty levels and low educational attainment levels, providing funding for a district chess program since at least 2004.

“Our youth have a lot more potential than what people think Brownsville is,” Patty Vela said on Saturday as she watched her son practice.

The event was the fourth out of 10 being hosted by the school district this year.

BISD University Interscholastic League and chess coordinator Jaime Rojas said there were six sections for skill levels based on a mix of points and grade level, which ranged from K-12.

Vela’s son, Matthew Cohen, is a 15-year-old sophomore on the Porter High School chess team.

She said he asked to play when he was in second grade and has been dedicated since. The game teaches youth more than game strategy, his mother said; it teaches them critical thinking for everyday life.

“It’s been pretty amazing,” she said of watching her son grow up and progress in his chess skill. “It don’t know how to describe it. ... I’ve never told him ‘no’ when it comes to trying something new.”

Vela laughs when she recalls how the two began learning chess basics together, but today her son surpasses her in skill.

Rojas said as coordinator he sees children become passionate about chess and through that gain focus. Passion fuels learning, he said.

“Chess is one of those few games where you can be sitting completely still and your heart will be racing,” he said.

There’s even a motto that goes along with the game, he said.

“You either win or learn,” Rojas said. “There are no losers.”

Full story here.

Susan Polgar Foundation National Open for Boys and Girls

THE SUSAN POLGAR FOUNDATION’S NATIONAL OPEN FOR GIRLS & BOYS (K-12)

June 1 – 3, 2012
(Friday – Sunday *** SAVE THE DATES!!)

Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome
330 Loyola Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70112

The Holiday Inn Downtown-Superdome is located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, just 3 blocks from the French Quarter. Hotel features include: free shuttle, restaurant, pool, and more!

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO SEE NEW ORLEANS?



AND . . . BETTER YET . . . TO MEET GM POLGAR, LEARN AND PLAY CHESS AT A MAJOR TOURNAMENT IN THE CRESCENT CITY!

UP TO $100,000 IN PRIZES – SCHOLARSHIPS TO TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

MAIN EVENT: Team & Individual - 6-Round Swiss System

SIDE EVENTS: Bughouse – Blitz – Puzzle Solving – Polgar Simul – Aquatic Simul

$99 Hotel Room Rate

* Top 3 player scores count toward team result

* School or club team trophies awarded in each section

* Special Camp with Susan Polgar

* Breakfast With Susan Polgar (Q & A Session)



OPTIONAL TOURS WILL INCLUDE:

LOUISIANA SWAMP & BAYOU BOAT TOUR
RIVERFRONT AQUARIUM
AUDUBON INSECTARIUM
WORLD WAR II MUSEUM
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

BIRTHPLACE & HOME OF WORLD CHESS CHAMPION “PAUL MORPHY”

Please check tournament websites for more details:

http://www.polgarevents.blogspot.com
www.cajunchess.com

Life lessons for youth

Chess program influences life lessons for youth
October 31, 2011 by Lauren Hertzler

Young students from Meade Elementary learn the game of chess from the Director of Community Relations L. Harrison Jay, and gain life lessons in the process.

The concept of playing chess dates back to the Early Middle Ages and still persists today as a method of intellectual development and cultural growth.

In September 2009, the Director of Community Relations L. Harrison Jay started a chess program at Temple in collaboration with Meade Elementary School, located approximately two blocks from Main Campus.

The chess program provides local fifth and sixth grade students with a comforting, free place to go year-round every Thursday from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. This program is a “safe haven for these kids,” Jay said.

Jay learned how to play chess from his grandmother, and played on his high school team all four years. His experience has taught him to compare the values and responsibilities of particular pieces on the chess board with values and responsibilities in life.

“[Chess] truly is about how you handle yourself in life,” Jay said.

“These kids in elementary school, that’s where you have to get them, when they’re in high school and college, that’s a little late, that’s how I see chess impacting these young guys,” Jay added.

More here.

Mendota High wins again

Mendota High chess team is tops, again
By Eddie Jimenez / The Fresno Bee The Fresno Bee
Tuesday, Nov. 01, 2011 | 09:16 PM
Modified Tue, Nov 01, 2011 09:17 PM

The Mendota High School chess team made all the right moves – again.

The team, known as the "Knuckleheads," placed first at a national championship last weekend in Santa Clara.

The victory for the students from the tiny west side school follows their state championship in April.

And, they weren't the only Valley students to bring home trophies from the National Scholastic Chess Championship on Saturday and Sunday.

A group of Coalinga students also did well in several individual and team categories at the competition.

The achievements are quite a tribute to the students, their coaches and schools – and a source of pride for the region's chess community, said Bob Rasmussen, president of the Fresno Chess Club.

"The best of the best in chess in the nation are from two schools in farming communities in west Fresno County," he said. "Now, that's pretty powerful."

Rasmussen says chess is popular in the area – he says the Fresno Chess Club, with about 320 members, is the second largest in the U.S. – and the Mendota and Coalinga students have been so successful because the game was introduced in after-school programs about 20 years ago.

Students who participated in chess over the years are now adults and are passing on their passion to younger generations, Rasmussen said.

"To play chess, you have to be a thinker and love to think," he said.

Fresno also has hosted a world chess tournament each of the past three years, adding to the game's appeal in the area, Rasmussen said.

The Mendota students, who took first place in the Premier Division at the CalChess State Championships in April, won the 16- to 18-year-old section at last weekend's national tournament, which attracted 300 competitors.

Mendota Mayor Robert Silva said he was proud of the students' perseverance and accomplishment.

"This clearly demonstrates the benefits of hard work and thinking big when it comes to success and achievement," he said.

More here.