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

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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

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?

Rank	Name	Nov 8
1	Miles	731
2	Henry	729
3	Oscar	711
4	Isaiah	684
5	Luke	541
6	Jaden	536
7	Niko	534
8	Torben	491
9	Owen	412
10	Shakti	322
11	Christian	296
12	Jack	252
13	Tom	237
14	James	204
15	Patrick	190
16	Nick	182
17	Tyler	179
18	Gere	175
19	Derrick	172
20	Ben	169
21	Nolan	159
22	Naomi	138
23	Quinn	131
24	Zach	116
25	Sahasra	107
26	Isaac	106
27	Jesse	105
28	Ellie	102
29	Francis	100
30	Winston	100
31	Davis	100

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.

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.

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

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

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

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