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Friday, March 13, 2020

Answers to Problems from March 11

1. Re2+  Kd5
2. (Two big pieces on a line...) Rd2+ winning the rook

White does not have to worry about the pawns on the g and h files - they can take care of themselves. If the black king takes the pawn on g5 the h pawn runs and queens. Two pawns on adjacent files are safe from an enemy king. In fact, even if there is one file between the pawns, they are still safe from the enemy king. (See if you can work that out and figure out why.) What White does need to be concerned with is Black making the move b4! So the correct solution is:
1. Kd4 b4
2. axb4 a2
3, Kc3 a1
4. Kb2 Black resigns

Incorrect is:
1. Rc3? a1=Q+!
2. Kxa1 Kxc3
Two possible solutions:
1. Rh1 Kc4
2. Rh3 Kb4
3. Rxb3+ (this is the key - take with pawn with check)
4. Kc4 Kxa2 (or Rxa2)
The other possibility is:
1. Rc8l Kb5
2. Rb8+ Kc4
3. Rb7 (a waiting move puts Black in zugzwang - he'd like to pass, but he must move) Kc5
4. Rxb3 with an easy win (I hope you've mastered the KR ending!)

The queen becomes more and more powerful as the board empties.
1. Qe7+ forking the King and Rook

Thursday, March 12, 2020

CHESS CLUB SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY

There will be no more chess until further notice in a effort to reduce the spread of the virus.
Also not that if you were planning on attending the SCA Tournament on March 21, that has been cancelled as well.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

March 11

Tournament coming up March 21 at Plymouth Middle School 8:30-3:00 $22 for first-timers, else $20. Bring about $5 for lunch and we'll play chess and eat pizza all day. For more details or to register, go to www.schoolchess.org
I've highlighted two possible teams. We need 3 on a team. 7th graders would play in the 8th grade section. 5th graders would play in the 6th grade section.
GradeRankName11-Mar
81Luke1004
62Shanmuka853
73Elijah831
84Graham651
75Dhanush547
66Amanuel546
87Sam473
58Pragnan470
59Asher414
610Nirmal321
11Jose315
512Ben293
713Zach242
714Derrick238
715Bisrat235
616Saisloka219
517Roman W214
18Lars191
819Fernando173
520Claire170
521Shewwite164
522Matiyas129
523Ibrahim109
524Carter101

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Tournament coming up March 21 at Plymouth Middle School 8:30-3:00 $22 for first-timers, else $20. Bring about $5 for lunch and we'll play chess and eat pizza all day. For more details or to register, go to www.schoolchess.org 
I've highlighted two possible teams. We need 3 on a team. 7th graders would play in the 8th grade section. 5th graders would play in the 6th grade section.
GradeRankName4-Mar
81Luke1004
62Shanmuka874
73Elijah815
84Graham651
65Amanuel571
86Sam513
77Dhanush512
58Pragnan468
59Asher414
510Ben288
611Nirmal271
12Jose269
713Zach242
714Derrick238
715Bisrat235
616Saisloka219
517Roman W214
18Lars191
819Fernando170
520Claire170
521Shewwite169
522Matiyas129
523Ibrahim105
524Carter105
625Jack100

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Minnesota Scholastic Championship

March 7-8 Sat-Sun

There are other upcoming tournaments put on by the School Chess Association. See www.schoolchess.org for more info or to register.

Mar 21 Statewide Grade Level Championship. Individual and Team Champions will be determined, Cost $20, 1 hour games

April 18 Sat Twin Cities Middle School Championship. Individual and Team Champions will be determined, Cost $20, 1 hour games at Plymouth M.S.

May 2-3 Sat-Sun Statewide Elementary Championships (K-6)  BIGGEST tournament of the year!
60 Individual trophies and 10 Team trophies will be awarded, Cost $42, 1 hour games at Robbinsdale M.S. Last two rounds are 2 hrs.

May 16 Sat Excellent chance to win a trophy since there is a separate section for the top 16. Cost $20

Friday, February 28, 2020

CHESS TEAM TAKES 2nd PLACE

The winning chess team: Front row: Shandmuka Bommana, Amanuel Worku, Jose Ramirez, Dhanush Malempati, Sam Dereje, Elijah Newfield, Coach Heinemann, Luke Reisig

Friendly Hills took second place.

Complete results can be found in the Jr High League link to the right.

Name28-Feb
Luke1012
Shanmuka857
Elijah773
Graham651
Amanuel577
Sam497
Pragnan478
Dhanush477
Asher414
Ben288
Jose265
Zach253
Derrick238
Bisrat235
Nirmal234
Roman W214
Saisloka196
Lars188
Claire168
Fernando165
Shewwite164
Matiyas129
Ibrahim105
Jack100
Carter100

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Final Match Friday at Heritage

MATCH Friday at Heritage - all welcome
Take the activity bus to Sibley then get on the bus to Heritage.
Bring a snack. Two games - done at 6:00 Awards to follow.
Arrange a ride home from Heritage.

1. Luke
2. Shanmuka
3. Elijah
4. Graham
5. Amanuel
Alternate Sam, Jose

Name 26-Feb
Luke 1014
Shanmuka 890
Elijah 786
Graham 651
Amanuel 606
Sam 493
Pragnan 478
Dhanush 472
Asher 414
Ben 288
Jose 269
Zach 253
Derrick 238
Bisrat 235
Nirmal 234
Roman W 214
Saisloka 196
Lars 188
Claire 168
Fernando 165
Shewwite 164
Matiyas 129
Ibrahim 105
Jack 100
Carter 100