The hardest part for me about being a chess coach is building a team. Every year is a struggle and something always happens to throw a wrench into the plan. This year has been no exception.
My perfect team scenario is to have 2 teams of 4 players in both the 6th and under section and the 3rd and under section. It is rare for this scenario to play out perfectly.
This year, I had so many good players at both schools that I couldn't, with good conscience, pick just two teams in the 6th and under division. I decided to create 3 teams at each school and even then had players who I felt were deserving but didn't get placed on a team.
The decision to have three teams paid off. At Washington, all three teams qualified for state. At Madison, two of the three teams qualified. The one that didn't only had three players due to an absence which is a disadvantage every round because the last board is always scored as a loss.
I have one team of 5 players this year. It's hard to have a team of more than four because the players have to rotate in and out throughout the day and it disrupts the flow of the team. (One year, I had seven players on a team. I'll NEVER do that again!) The reason for having five players on the team is complicated but I feel good about the decision.
At some point, I'll create a post about all of the crazy things that have happened with my teams over the years and why I've come to the conclusion that 2 teams of 4 players is best.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
Reflections on the Goshen chess team tournament
I was pleased with the performances of the chess teams over the weekend at the Goshen team tournament. It's now time to look forward to the regional tournament on Feb. 25.
In order to qualify for state, teams will need to score at least 3.5 points. Last weekend, two teams passed this threshold, the Washington 6th and under A team and the Madison 3rd and under A team.
The 3.0 point threshold is where is gets interesting. Some teams with three points will qualify for state while others will not. It all depends on tiebreaks. Three teams scored 3.0 last weekend, all in the 6th and under section, Madison B, Washington B, and Washington C. These are the "bubble teams", they could go either way at regional.
Two 6th and under teams scored 2.5 points. Both have a good chance at qualifying for state. Madison A had a controversy in their fourth round match last Saturday. After talking with the the tournament director afterwards, there were grounds for Madison a to win by forfeiture of the match. Since the tournament was a "practice" tournament, only a warning was given. At regional and state, the directors will not be so kind. The only error on behalf of the Madison players is that they continued to play their games after the infraction rather than pausing the games and waiting for the tournament director to come and hear the complaint.
I must admit. Two MadWash teams committed offenses that could have led to forfeiture, one of the teams played out of order and another team played on the wrong side of the board. I guess what comes around goes around, but that's why the practice tournament is held, to make sure these mistakes are not made at regional or state.
All in all, I like our chances a t regional. If we continue to work hard I see no reason why we can go on to state from regional. I will try to post some material online to help prepare the players for regional. Our lessons in chess club will be focused on taking the next steps on our journey to state, too.
In order to qualify for state, teams will need to score at least 3.5 points. Last weekend, two teams passed this threshold, the Washington 6th and under A team and the Madison 3rd and under A team.
The 3.0 point threshold is where is gets interesting. Some teams with three points will qualify for state while others will not. It all depends on tiebreaks. Three teams scored 3.0 last weekend, all in the 6th and under section, Madison B, Washington B, and Washington C. These are the "bubble teams", they could go either way at regional.
Two 6th and under teams scored 2.5 points. Both have a good chance at qualifying for state. Madison A had a controversy in their fourth round match last Saturday. After talking with the the tournament director afterwards, there were grounds for Madison a to win by forfeiture of the match. Since the tournament was a "practice" tournament, only a warning was given. At regional and state, the directors will not be so kind. The only error on behalf of the Madison players is that they continued to play their games after the infraction rather than pausing the games and waiting for the tournament director to come and hear the complaint.
I must admit. Two MadWash teams committed offenses that could have led to forfeiture, one of the teams played out of order and another team played on the wrong side of the board. I guess what comes around goes around, but that's why the practice tournament is held, to make sure these mistakes are not made at regional or state.
All in all, I like our chances a t regional. If we continue to work hard I see no reason why we can go on to state from regional. I will try to post some material online to help prepare the players for regional. Our lessons in chess club will be focused on taking the next steps on our journey to state, too.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Time Flies When You're Having Fun!
I haven't posted here in 3 months. Too many other things fighting for attention...
In the past three months the MadWash Chess Club has sponsored two tournaments; both were a great success! Last year, I hit my limit as far as how big of a tournament to have. Checkmate Hunger hosted 242 chess players. We didn't have the room or resources to accommodate that many players and the families members who came with them. We made it work, but it was stressful. At the Warsaw Winter Tournament last year, we had about 160 players; again, too many for the venue. We tried pulling back on the advertising of the tournaments this year and ended up with manageable numbers; around 160 for checkmate hunger and 135 for the Warsaw Winter Tourney. We now have a nice core of 6 volunteers who help make the tournament and the concessions run smoothly. With a little extra help from the Warsaw High School student council we've been very efficient and productive!
We are now done with tournaments until next season. I've already updated the flyers for next year's tournaments and have fixed the errors that I made on this year's flyers. Even after 15 years of organizing tournaments I still make mistakes on them! I'm sure that there's something I'll miss on next year's flyers!
In the past three months the MadWash Chess Club has sponsored two tournaments; both were a great success! Last year, I hit my limit as far as how big of a tournament to have. Checkmate Hunger hosted 242 chess players. We didn't have the room or resources to accommodate that many players and the families members who came with them. We made it work, but it was stressful. At the Warsaw Winter Tournament last year, we had about 160 players; again, too many for the venue. We tried pulling back on the advertising of the tournaments this year and ended up with manageable numbers; around 160 for checkmate hunger and 135 for the Warsaw Winter Tourney. We now have a nice core of 6 volunteers who help make the tournament and the concessions run smoothly. With a little extra help from the Warsaw High School student council we've been very efficient and productive!
We are now done with tournaments until next season. I've already updated the flyers for next year's tournaments and have fixed the errors that I made on this year's flyers. Even after 15 years of organizing tournaments I still make mistakes on them! I'm sure that there's something I'll miss on next year's flyers!
Friday, October 28, 2016
What's the threat?
"What's the Threat?"
I encourage my chess players to ask themselves this question after every move that their opponent makes. Many of the chess games that I see lost in the club are a result of one player not taking the time to figure out the point of their opponent's moves. Eventually the player gets "bit" by not paying attention.
I use the image of a snake to help the kids remember the question "What's the threat?". We watch a clip from the movie "Rikki Tikki Tavi" in which a mongoose (Rikki Tikki Tavi) fights a cobra (Nagaina). I relate this battle to a game of chess. Our opponent in chess is like a cobra, trying to strike a deadly blow when we least expect it. We are the mongoose, dodging the strikes and looking for the right opportunity to deal a death blow of our own. I use the idea of the mongoose for the kids of our club because a mongoose usually wins the battle against a cobra.
I am currently participating in a book study with a number of educators from around the world.
One of the assignments that we have is to create a meme. The picture above is my first!
I encourage my chess players to ask themselves this question after every move that their opponent makes. Many of the chess games that I see lost in the club are a result of one player not taking the time to figure out the point of their opponent's moves. Eventually the player gets "bit" by not paying attention.
I use the image of a snake to help the kids remember the question "What's the threat?". We watch a clip from the movie "Rikki Tikki Tavi" in which a mongoose (Rikki Tikki Tavi) fights a cobra (Nagaina). I relate this battle to a game of chess. Our opponent in chess is like a cobra, trying to strike a deadly blow when we least expect it. We are the mongoose, dodging the strikes and looking for the right opportunity to deal a death blow of our own. I use the idea of the mongoose for the kids of our club because a mongoose usually wins the battle against a cobra.
One of the assignments that we have is to create a meme. The picture above is my first!
Saturday, October 15, 2016
...and now a word from our sponsors
Part of the success of the MadWash chess club comes from our sponsors. There are three organizations that have helped the chess club financially; The Warsaw Education Foundation, The American Table Restaurant, and The Warsaw Breakfast Optimists.
The Warsaw Education Foundation is an organization that helps raise money for various programs within the Warsaw Community School district. WEF has been supplying grants to the Warsaw Chess Club (governing body of the MadWash Chess Club) since 2001. The grants cover the cost of awards for the annual Warsaw Community Schools Fall Chess Tournament (Checkmate Hunger). As a result, the club can keep all of the entry fees from the tournament and use it to buy awards for the Warsaw Community Schools Winter Tournament in January. The Warsaw Education Foundation has also given the club a grant to buy 3 Mon Roi Personal Chess Managers. The Mon Roi is the only electronic notation device that is allowed in USCF (United States Chess Federation) sanctioned events.
Another organization that helps the MadWash Chess Club is a restaurant called the American Table located in Warsaw, Indiana. The American Table suggested that we set up a collection box to collect spare change from patrons at the restaurant. The parent of a chess club member club purchased a tall, dinosaur bank which is named "Chessy". Patrons at the restaurant put money in the mouth of the dinosaur and it rolls along a path and into the dinosaur's stomach, which kind of looks like a hamster ball. The money raised from Chessy is used the pay entry fees for team tournaments. It is also used to buy equipment for the chess programs throughout Warsaw Community Schools; Washington needs more equipment, we're now over 75 members in the club! The money also buys software and other products to help the chess coaches in the district. Warsaw has eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. Not all of the schools have a chess program but most do.
The final organization that helps the chess club is the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club. The MadWash Chess Teams did not have enough Mon Roi Personal Chess Managers to outfit an entire team. When the Breakfast Optimists found out, they invited team members to a meeting to talk about the MadWash Chess Club and the various activities that the club members are involved in. When asked if we needed anything we replied "another Mon Roi". A vote was taken on the spot and the group unanimously agreed to give us the money to purchase another Mon Roi.
I am thankful to have such great sponsors in the community; sonsors wno see value in the chess program and are willing to donate resources for our growth and success. Here's a link to the MadWash Chess website with information about our sponsors
https://sites.google.com/a/warsawschools.org/madwash-chess/our-sponsors
The Warsaw Education Foundation is an organization that helps raise money for various programs within the Warsaw Community School district. WEF has been supplying grants to the Warsaw Chess Club (governing body of the MadWash Chess Club) since 2001. The grants cover the cost of awards for the annual Warsaw Community Schools Fall Chess Tournament (Checkmate Hunger). As a result, the club can keep all of the entry fees from the tournament and use it to buy awards for the Warsaw Community Schools Winter Tournament in January. The Warsaw Education Foundation has also given the club a grant to buy 3 Mon Roi Personal Chess Managers. The Mon Roi is the only electronic notation device that is allowed in USCF (United States Chess Federation) sanctioned events.
Another organization that helps the MadWash Chess Club is a restaurant called the American Table located in Warsaw, Indiana. The American Table suggested that we set up a collection box to collect spare change from patrons at the restaurant. The parent of a chess club member club purchased a tall, dinosaur bank which is named "Chessy". Patrons at the restaurant put money in the mouth of the dinosaur and it rolls along a path and into the dinosaur's stomach, which kind of looks like a hamster ball. The money raised from Chessy is used the pay entry fees for team tournaments. It is also used to buy equipment for the chess programs throughout Warsaw Community Schools; Washington needs more equipment, we're now over 75 members in the club! The money also buys software and other products to help the chess coaches in the district. Warsaw has eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. Not all of the schools have a chess program but most do.
The final organization that helps the chess club is the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club. The MadWash Chess Teams did not have enough Mon Roi Personal Chess Managers to outfit an entire team. When the Breakfast Optimists found out, they invited team members to a meeting to talk about the MadWash Chess Club and the various activities that the club members are involved in. When asked if we needed anything we replied "another Mon Roi". A vote was taken on the spot and the group unanimously agreed to give us the money to purchase another Mon Roi.
I am thankful to have such great sponsors in the community; sonsors wno see value in the chess program and are willing to donate resources for our growth and success. Here's a link to the MadWash Chess website with information about our sponsors
https://sites.google.com/a/warsawschools.org/madwash-chess/our-sponsors
Friday, October 7, 2016
Sensing the potential
The weekly chess club tournament has been going on for only two weeks but I'm already beginning to sense that a couple of the new players are going to be very good. If these players continue to impress, they will be promoted to the next level. They will compete against tougher players in the club and possibly have an opportunity to be placed on a chess team. One of my favorite parts of being a chess coach is finding new talent and trying to develop it.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Much-Needed Catch-Up Time
Last year, I could not keep up with the demands of being a teacher and trying to run multiple extra-curricular clubs at two schools. This year, I have less time to work with and more demands that need attention. I decided to take a day off from each extra-curricular activity I sponsor once per month, which gives me one free morning per week. The first Wednesday of the month is my day to take off from chess club at Madison.
It's too early to tell what the effect will be on the chess club. At least I feel that I'm not so far behind in the other areas of my profession. :)
It's too early to tell what the effect will be on the chess club. At least I feel that I'm not so far behind in the other areas of my profession. :)
Friday, September 30, 2016
The Weekly Chess Tournament
Each week, the children play one chess game that counts toward the weekly chess club tournament. To make it fun, I give the sections funny names. This year the theme is food.
At Madison, I divided the club into four sections and at Washington, five sections. To keep the room organized, each section has a specific place to play. I post the pairings from the computer in the front of the room on a whiteboard with a projector. I also post paper copies of the standings on a wall near where the games are played. When the games are finished, I have the children mark their own scores on the paper standings.
As games finish and the scores are marked, I re-pair the children with a new opponent by hand. All games played after the tournament games do not count toward the standings although I do take notes on some of the results.
At Madison this week, I had two upsets. Players who were on the 6th and under team last year were beaten by players who were not on teams. If this keeps up, it could make for some interesting decisions when it comes time to pick teams.
In the 3rd and under sections at Washington, there are only two players who were on teams last year. That means that six new players will get to be on a team. It's fun trying to guess who those six players might get to be. Right now, I have no clue!
At Madison, I divided the club into four sections and at Washington, five sections. To keep the room organized, each section has a specific place to play. I post the pairings from the computer in the front of the room on a whiteboard with a projector. I also post paper copies of the standings on a wall near where the games are played. When the games are finished, I have the children mark their own scores on the paper standings.
As games finish and the scores are marked, I re-pair the children with a new opponent by hand. All games played after the tournament games do not count toward the standings although I do take notes on some of the results.
At Madison this week, I had two upsets. Players who were on the 6th and under team last year were beaten by players who were not on teams. If this keeps up, it could make for some interesting decisions when it comes time to pick teams.
In the 3rd and under sections at Washington, there are only two players who were on teams last year. That means that six new players will get to be on a team. It's fun trying to guess who those six players might get to be. Right now, I have no clue!
Hamburger Section (3rd and Under beginners)
Hot Dog Section (3rd and Under Intermediate)
Mac 'n Cheese Section (6th grade and Under Intermediate)
Pizza Section (Advanced)
White Board
Friday, September 23, 2016
Fresh out of a club meeting
I JUST finished the first meeting with the Washington Chess Club and I'd like to reflect on some observations. First off, the club is almost too big for our facilities; 70 kids in a room that is almost too small for that many. I also didn't have enough equipment for everybody; luckily I brought extras sets from Madison just in case. Last year, I divided the club into two groups at each school. I created video lessons for a volunteer to show the advanced players and then had the kids play their tournament games after the lesson. I think I'll have to do that again this year. I'll simply write to my parents and ask for volunteers to help. They'll come through!
I remember why I like running a tournament during the chess club meeting. It helps cut down on players talking. When standings and chess team placement are on the line, the kids focus harder and concentrate better during those tournament games. I don't pick the chess teams until February but I start collecting and tracking data starting week #2. This week, we didn't start the tournament. I let the kids pick their own opponent to help shake off the rust from months of not playing. I had to stop play on many occasions to get the talking to stop. I can't wait to start the tourney next week. I'll blog about how I set it up next week.
I remember why I like running a tournament during the chess club meeting. It helps cut down on players talking. When standings and chess team placement are on the line, the kids focus harder and concentrate better during those tournament games. I don't pick the chess teams until February but I start collecting and tracking data starting week #2. This week, we didn't start the tournament. I let the kids pick their own opponent to help shake off the rust from months of not playing. I had to stop play on many occasions to get the talking to stop. I can't wait to start the tourney next week. I'll blog about how I set it up next week.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
The Matrix
This week is the opening week for chess club. The first lesson will be "The Matrix" (four-move checkmate). In the past, I spent the first few weeks of chess club teaching players how to move the pieces but more and more children come to chess club knowing how to move them.
I am not a fan of the matrix. I don't teach it to help kids learn an easy way to win. I teach it so that kids can learn how to defend against it. I've had too many players in my club lose to this trap to ignore it.
There are some benefits to teaching the matrix. It teaches the idea of quick development, attack, weak squares, and checkmate. It also helps children feel successful, especially when they come to me during the week and say something like "I beat my parent with the matrix last night!"
The basic idea in the matrix is to move the e pawn up two squares, which opens lanes for the bishop and queen. Moving the bishop to c4 and the queen to h5 and delivering checkmate by moving the queen to f7.
The MadWash Chess website contains a PDF and video about the matrix.
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