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Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Test Results and New Ratings

Test Results
Here's the scoring formula: R =100+100N where N is the number right from 0 to 9 and R is a Rating
I then pretended that you drew two games agains a player with that Rating. Some went up and some went down. Biggest gainers from the test were Niko +30, Luke +20, and Tyler +16.
Congratulations to today's quad winners -
Quad 1 - Henry
Quad 2 - Owen
Quad 3 - Gere
Quad 4 - Tyler
Quad 5 - Isaac
Competition against other middle schools begins in January. We will probably play on Saturday mornings, so if you're in the top ten (we need 5 but will actually play 6 if 6 come) be prepared to keep Sat. a.m. free. Others will be called upon if needed. See previous blog entitled "Tournament Schedule for the Year" for more detail.

Rank Name 13-Dec
1 Henry 795
2 Miles 727
3 Isaiah 720
4 Oscar 678
5 Luke 652
6 Owen 625
7 Jaden 555
8 Niko 540
9 Shakti 333
10 Jack 266
11 Gere 257
12 Nick 255
13 James 231
14 Tom 227
15 Tyler 220
16 Ben 211
17 Ellyanna 211
18 Derrick 190
19 Naomi 179
20 Quinn 157
21 Nolan 152
22 Catey 149
23 Patrick 143
24 Isaac 141
25 Ellie 118
26 Winston 113
27 Davis 112
28 Zach 100
29 Sahasra 100

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Ratings after our quads

TEAM COMPETITION
Our first team competition is Jan 6 - I will select the top five players at that time.
In Jan -  Mar we will have more matches - these are always a lot of fun because it's real chess with notation, clocks, and total silence! We put our top 5 players up against another school's top 5. The team that scores 3 points is the winner. (we'll actually have six and three players will sit out one round. As soon as i know more I'll let you know. If some of the top 5 can't make it, I'll go down the list and invite others. Dates will probably be Jan 27 and Feb 12 from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon.

Todays Class
Today we went over the discovered attack worksheet, learned the Pirc Defense and did a two-move checkmate worksheet. For those of you interested in the King and Rook vs King ending click on the link to the right labeled "Bill Heinemann's Chess Blog" Blog dated Oct 26, 2009.
Congrats to:
  Quad 1 winners Isaiah and Henry
  Quad 2 winner Luke
  Quad 3 winner Nick
  Quad 4 winner Gere
  Quad 5 had no winner- 4-way tie

Rank Name Dec 6
1 Henry 757
2 Isaiah 739
3 Miles 724
4 Oscar 678
5 Luke 641
6 Owen 596
7 Jaden 555
8 Niko 514
9 Shakti 333
10 Nick 277
11 Jack 266
12 Tom 228
13 James 214
14 Ellyanna 211
15 Gere 211
16 Ben 198
17 Patrick 190
18 Derrick 190
19 Tyler 184
20 Naomi 163
21 Quinn 157
22 Nolan 150
23 Catey 149
24 Davis 130
25 Isaac 120
26 Ellie 118
27 Winston 113
28 Zach 100
29 Sahasra 100

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Tournament Results (and 3 good puzzles)

Name W L D Bef Aft Chg
Owen 1 2 1 568 575 +7

Q1. Here's an interesting position from one of Owen's games.
Black has just moved the knight aggressively to d4. How should Owen respond?

Q2. In another game, Owen's queen is attacked. Is Qb5+ the best choice? Why or why not? 

Q3. In that same game, Owen reached this position. Owen is up a pawn, but has a chance to be up a piece. Can you figure out the good move? (Hint: it will involve a discovered attack)

ANSWERS
A1. Remarkably, the computer pointed out that the best move is Qxe7+ Do you see why? You end up getting the bishop, gaining a pawn, ruining his castling, getting his queen, then either doubling his pawns and gaining a knight or losing a knight but gaining a rook for a knight. Play it out - you should come out 3 points ahead.
A2. Bad idea. The Queen has no retreat squares. 1. ... Bd7 leaves the queen without any good choices. For example,  if 2.Qxb7 Bc7 and the Queen is done. Or  2. Qa5 b6 3. Qa3 Nxc2+ fork!
A3. Nc4 If Black moves the attacked bishop, Owen will play dxc6 with a discovered attack and pin on the bishop on d7. If instead black tries Qc7, white still plays dxc6 threatening both bishops and the best black can do is Bf4+ losing the bishop but forcing us to triple our pawns. 

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Tournament Schedule for the year

PUT THESE ON THE CALENDAR!
Dec 2 Metcalf in Burnsville grade level - lots of trophies
Jan 6 Metcalf - Team of 5 needed to participate in the team section
Jan 20 Metcalf (Double bug section will draw a lot of the top-notch players
Jan 27 (probable) Middle School Team Competition
Feb 3 Zachary Lane in Plymouth Doubles play with your Dad, Aunt, Grandpa or friend
Feb 10 (probable) Middle School Team Competition
Feb 17 Metcalf StateWide grade level 3+ per team -  let's have a big turnout
Mar 3 (probable) Middle School Team Playoffs if we qualify
Mar 10 Metcalf Middle School Championship 4+ for a team
Apr 14-15 Breck in Golden Valley - the Ultimate Chess Tournament for K-6 in MN

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHESS LEAGUE
We also have a chance to play in the Middle School Chess League. We would either play one match against another school after school (half of the time it would be at FHMS and half we'd have to travel) or we might set it up where several schools meet together on a Saturday morning and we'd play 3 matches. Matches are different than tournaments. In a match we put our top 5 players up against another team's top 5. #1 vs #1, etc. The team that score 3 points wins the match. It's possible to draw a match where each side scores 2.5. Top teams from league play make it to the finals. We did this 3 years ago when the 8th graders were in 5th grade. Check out the junior high league link in the upper right to see who played and look at some problems from those games. USCF rules apply - no talking, all players must notate and use clocks.

Today's Lesson and Ratings ( with 12-2 update)

Today we went over the pin worksheets,
we got introduced to the French Defense (click for a lesson),
we learned about discovered attacks and solved some problems on a worksheet.
High scorers on the disc attack worksheet: Oscar 12, Henry 11, Miles and Owen 10

Name Nov 29
Henry 730
Isaiah 714
Miles 713
Oscar 701
Luke 587
Owen 575
Jaden 568
Niko 545
Shakti 333
Christian 296
Jack 263
Tom 223
Tyler 223
Nick 219
Ellyanna 211
James 193
Patrick 190
Derrick 190
Ben 189
Gere 189
Nolan 174
Catey 149
Naomi 142
Quinn 132
Zach 125
Winston 124
Isaac 120
Ellie 118
Davis 109
Sahasra 100

Monday, November 20, 2017

Chess Sets

Later this week I will put in an order for chess sets.
Cost will be about $15 includes shipping, weighted pieces, 2 extra queens, carrying case with zipper, sleeve and handle, vinyl roll-up board. e-mail me at gemshein@hotmail.com if you want to order  one specify black, blue, green, or burgundy. Color is for both board and case.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Tournament Results

Henry attended the SCA Chess Tournament held at Metcalf on Saturday.
Although he won only 1 and lost 3 (down 35 points), he did get his bronze medal.
Here's Henry getting his medal.

The top 4 in the club are now super-close:

Miles 725
Henry 716
Isaiah 712
Oscar 700

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Lesson and Standings

For those interested in competing, there is a tournament coming up this Saturday.
WHO: Anyone can go, though I recommend a rating of 300 or more.
WHEN: Nov 18, 9:00 - 2:00  maybe a little longer if you need to hang around for awards
WHERE: Metcalf Middle School in Burnsville. 35E s. to Diffley w. just past Cedar
WHAT: Play in grades 4-6, 7-9 or Girls. All will play 4 or 5 games - no elimination.
HOW: If already an SCA member, register on-line at schoolchess.org or if new at the door by 8:30am on Saturday.
HOW MUCH: Cost $22-24 plus $5 for lunch or bring your own.
WHY: It's fun! Hope to see some of you there.

Next one is Dec 2 at Metcalf again. Let's try for a big, fun, turnout!
For a complete schedule of tournaments see www.schoolchess.org

Today we went over the hurdles worksheet
learned the Scandanavian Defense or Center Counter
We learned about pins
    a) look for two big pieces in a line
    b) attack the pinned piece
    c) leave that pin on and make your opponent squirm under the pressure

Top worksheet score = 10. Congrats Nick and Gere 

I added some new players and dropped 3 that haven't been here in a while.
Rank Name Nov 15
1 Henry 750
2 Miles 725
3 Isaiah 712
4 Oscar 700
5 Luke 557
6 Niko 548
7 Jaden 543
8 Owen 432
9 Shakti 333
10 Christian 296
11 Jack 263
12 Tom 230
13 James 230
14 Nick 213
15 Ellyanna 211
16 Derrick 208
17 Gere 189
18 Tyler 177
19 Patrick 171
20 Nolan 166
21 Ben 164
22 Catey 149
23 Quinn 141
24 Naomi 137
25 Winston 119
26 Ellie 110
27 Isaac 101
28 Zach 100
29 Sahasra 100
30 Davis 100

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Lesson and Standings

Today we studied the (click here) Caro-Kann defense, hurdles and skewers.
Also note the new link to the right labelled "Game Analysis" Try it out using one of the openings you've learned. It will give you the top 3 moves and evaluate them. The bold number shows how much White is ahead. If the number is negative it means black is ahead.

I've got orders for 6 sets so far, can we get it up to ten and get a bigger discount?

RankNameNov 8
1Miles731
2Henry729
3Oscar711
4Isaiah684
5Luke541
6Jaden536
7Niko534
8Torben491
9Owen412
10Shakti322
11Christian296
12Jack252
13Tom237
14James204
15Patrick190
16Nick182
17Tyler179
18Gere175
19Derrick172
20Ben169
21Nolan159
22Naomi138
23Quinn131
24Zach116
25Sahasra107
26Isaac106
27Jesse105
28Ellie102
29Francis100
30Winston100
31Davis100

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Tournament Results! (Now with pics)

Congratulations to Henry who won the 4th place trophy and to Owen who won the novice trophy.
Henry has also now earned a bronze medal and will get it at the next tournament.
Next tournament Nov 18
Name  W L D Bef Aft Chg Merit
Luke  1 4 0 607 534 -73   1
Henry 2 2 0 723 747 +24  13
Owen  2 2 0 333 386 +53   2.5
In spite of the big changes in ratings, no one's rank changed.

Friday, November 3, 2017

I'm ordering chess sets

Tournament tomorrow - (see previous post for details)

I'm going to put in an order for chess sets soon. With a bulk discount, a discount for a  frequent customer and shared shipping costs I can offer you a set for under $15 depending on the number of orders I get. Available before Christmas.
Click here for a picture. Choose color - black, green, blue, burgundy. Put your name on the board and your initials on the pieces. E-mail me at gemshein@hotmail.com with color and your student's name.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Nov 1 - upcoming tournament

Today we learned the Danish Gambit, and the Scotch Game with the similar Goring Gambit.
We also learned a lot about knights and the tactic call the fork.

For those interested in competing, there is a tournament coming up this Saturday.
WHO: Anyone can go, though I recommend a rating of 300 or more.
WHEN: Nov 4, 9:00 - 2:00  maybe a little longer if you need to hang around for awards
WHERE: Highview Middle School in New Brighton.
WHAT: Play only other students in your grade. All will play 4 or 5 games - no elimination. Both individual and Team competition - need 3 in one grade, but players can play up a grade or two if needed.
HOW: Register on-line at schoolchess.org or at the door by 8:30am on Saturday.
HOW MUCH: Cost $22-24 plus $5 for lunch or bring your own.
WHY: It's fun! Those highlighted in red have expressed interest.
For a complete schedule of tournaments see www.schoolchess.org


Rank Name Nov 1
1 Henry 723
2 Oscar 696
3 Miles 681
4 Isaiah 658
5 Luke 607
6 Jaden 531
7 Niko 526
8 Torben 491
9 Owen 333
10 Shakti 322
11 Christian 296
12 Jack 277
13 Tom 210
14 Patrick 185
15 James 182
16 Nick 172
17 Derrick 167
18 Nolan 159
19 Gere 158
20 Ben 154
21 Quinn 131
22 Tyler 131
23 Naomi 124
24 Sahasra 116
25 Jesse 105
26 Isaac 101
27 Francis 100
28 Winston 100
29 Zach 100
30 Davis 100
31 Ellie 100


Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Oct 25 News and Standings

Welcome back all fall athletes!

For those interested in competing in Saturday tournaments, there is a tournament coming up.
WHEN: Nov 4, 9:00 - 2:00  maybe a little longer if you need to hang around for awards
WHERE: Highview Middle School in New Brighton.
WHAT: Play only other students in your grade. All will play 4 or 5 games - no elimination. Both individual and Team competition - need 3 in one grade, but players can play up a grade or two if needed.
HOW: Register on-line at schoolchess.org or at the door by 8:30am on Saturday.
HOW MUCH: Cost $22-24 plus $5 for lunch or bring your own.
WHY: It's fun!

Merit Points (basically 1 for each win in tournament - 10 and you get a bronze medal)
Henry 8, Oscar 7.5, Isaiah 4.25, Torben 1


Grade Rank Name Oct 25
7 1 Henry 722
8 2 Oscar 676
8 3 Isaiah 658
7 4 Miles 642
6 5 Luke 600
8 6 Niko 517
8 7 Jaden 514
6 8 Torben 491
7 9 Owen 297
7 10 Christian 296
7 11 Shakti 285
8 12 Jack 277
8 13 Tom 210
8 14 Nick 172
5 15 Derrick 167
5 16 James 160
5 17 Nolan 159
18 Gere 158
6 19 Patrick 150
20 Ben 136
6 21 Isaac 131
5 22 Quinn 131
5 23 Sahasra 116
5 24 Zach 111
5 25 Tyler 109
5 26 Davis 106
5 27 Jesse 105
5 28 Naomi 103
8 29 Francis 100
7 30 Winston 100

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Oct 11 Lesson and Standings

Today we looked at the Evans Gambit, exploring the ideas of tempo, open and closed games, rapid deployment, and various tactics.


Rank Name Oct 11
1 Henry 711
2 Isaiah 649
3 Miles 649
4 Luke 555
5 Niko 531
6 Jaden 508
7 Torben 491
8 Jack 318
9 Owen 250
10 Tom 190
11 Ben 148
12 James 141
13 Quinn 139
14 Derrick 137
15 Nolan 134
16 Tyler 134
17 Gere 130
18 Patrick 129
19 Naomi 128
20 Nick 127
21 Davis 121
22 Sahasra 116
23 Isaac 110
24 Jesse 105
25 Francis 100
26 Winston 100
27 Zach 100

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Oct 4 Lesson and Standings

Today we got back our checkmate/stalemate worksheets.
We learned how to castle and the restrictions on it -
a) can't if the king or rook has moved
b) all squares between the king and rook must be open
c) can't castle out of check, thru check, or into check
d) the king moves 2 sq. toward the rook, & the rook moves to the square the king passed over

We also learned the Danish gambit today 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2
Click on the link above for an absolutely amazing game involving the Danish.

Rank
Name
KQ
Oct 4
1
Henry
PASS
711
2
Isaiah
PASS
643
3
Miles
PASS
629
4
Luke
PASS
577
5
Niko
PASS
516
6
Jaden
501
7
Torben
491
8
Jack
-2
346
9
Owen
PASS
232
10
Tom
190
11
Ben
145
12
Naomi
141
13
Gere
130
14
Patrick
129
15
Nolan
129
16
Tyler
129
17
Quinn
118
18
Jesse
116
19
Davis
116
20
Zach
107
21
Winston
105
22
Isaac
105
23
James
105
24
Francis
100
25
Derrick
100
26
Sahasra
100
27
Nick
100