Do you have a child that would like to learn how to play chess? Perhaps your child already plays and would like to become more proficient at the game. Whether you have a new or advanced player, Chess School will help expand their knowledge to become a better player through actual play and challenging worksheets.
Led by Igor Rybakov, Minnesota Chess Instructor of the Year, your child will learn the basic concepts of chess or learn strategic concepts to go to a deeper level of chess.
Classes are open to grades K – 12 and will be held at Turtle Lake Elementary and begin on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 for six sessions. Classes will be held from 6:20-7:10 pm for grades K – 5 and 7:15 – 8:15 for grades 6 – 12. Students will be paired with students near their own age if possible. Cost is $54.
K-5 registration here.
6-12 registration here.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Excellent chess blog by Minnesota International Master John Bartholomew
At the link below, check out his commentary and step through some of his games, move-by-move.
Fins0905's Blog - Chess.com
Fins0905's Blog - Chess.com
Saturday, September 8, 2012
2012-2013 SCA chess tournament schedule now available
Here.
The first SCA tournament is the October 20 Kickoff Open in Champlin.
Other notable dates:
Grade level tournaments (top three individual scores from each school are added for team competition):
Nov. 3, Burnsville Grade Level, Burnsville (Metcalf Jr. HS)
Dec 8, Winter Open Grade Level, Burnsville (Metcalf Jr. HS)
Feb. 16, SCA Statewide Grade Level, Capitol Hill, St. Paul
March 23/24 (5 games Saturday, 2 games Sunday) SCA Statewide Primary/Elementary, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis. (New location this year). K-3 and K-6 sections; top four individual scores are added for team competition.
Other chess tournament opportunities:
Events at Chess Castle of Minnesota . This is usually rated chess.
Address: 1121 Jackson Street, #134, Minneapolis, MN 55413
MSCA chess. List of upcoming tournaments here.
April 5-7: USCF SUPERNATIONALS V - Nashville, TN
The first SCA tournament is the October 20 Kickoff Open in Champlin.
Other notable dates:
Grade level tournaments (top three individual scores from each school are added for team competition):
Nov. 3, Burnsville Grade Level, Burnsville (Metcalf Jr. HS)
Dec 8, Winter Open Grade Level, Burnsville (Metcalf Jr. HS)
Feb. 16, SCA Statewide Grade Level, Capitol Hill, St. Paul
March 23/24 (5 games Saturday, 2 games Sunday) SCA Statewide Primary/Elementary, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis. (New location this year). K-3 and K-6 sections; top four individual scores are added for team competition.
Other chess tournament opportunities:
Events at Chess Castle of Minnesota . This is usually rated chess.
Address: 1121 Jackson Street, #134, Minneapolis, MN 55413
MSCA chess. List of upcoming tournaments here.
April 5-7: USCF SUPERNATIONALS V - Nashville, TN
Monday, April 23, 2012
Playchess.com website: Billed as the world's biggest chess server (free trial, then a fee)
The ultimate online chess experience - try it out now!
Play with the greats. All the big stars are on playchess, from Garry Kasparov to current World Champion Vishy Anand, world number one Magnus Carlsen and Nigel Short, along a whole host of other very strong players. Watch live games and have Fritz analyse the position for you in real time!
Be there live. Look in on world class tournaments, listen to live commentary from top grandmasters, chat with other spectators and follow all the most important games at the same time. Only Playchess offers you the unique “multiboard” experience!
A site for kids to play chess against kids online
Free Online Chess for Kids - ChessKid.com - 100% Safe!
Free online games and tournaments with kids around the world!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Here's a good, free chess site with lots of chess puzzles
Chess Problems - learn chess tactics by example
Explanation of puzzles at the link above--see the puzzles themselves at the link below]
Thursday, April 5, 2012
2012-2013 meeting schedule
Meetings are always on Fridays, 7:40am-8:30am.
All chess meetings are in the gym.
1. Sept 21
2. Sept 28
3. Oct 5
4. Oct 26
5. Nov 9
6. Nov 16
7. Nov 30
8. Dec 7
9. Dec 14
10. Dec 21
11. Jan 4
12. Jan 11
13. Jan 18
14. Feb 1
15. Feb 8
16. Feb 15
17. Feb 22
18. Mar 1
19. Mar 8
20. Apr 12 (Visit from International Master John Bartholomew)
21. Apr 19
22. Apr 26 (end-of-year celebration)
1. Sept 21
2. Sept 28
3. Oct 5
4. Oct 26
5. Nov 9
6. Nov 16
7. Nov 30
8. Dec 7
9. Dec 14
10. Dec 21
11. Jan 4
12. Jan 11
13. Jan 18
14. Feb 1
15. Feb 8
16. Feb 15
17. Feb 22
18. Mar 1
19. Mar 8
20. Apr 12 (Visit from International Master John Bartholomew)
21. Apr 19
22. Apr 26 (end-of-year celebration)
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Some chess opportunities for the summer (and fall) of 2012
Chess camps:
1. School Chess Association--Summer 2012 information is here
(SCA camp [above] has been a very popular camp for Turtle Lake students (about eight Turtle Lake kids attended this camp last year; some attended more than one week. 8 4-day camps to choose from--some include an optional overnight).
2. Ed Zelkind Summer Chess Camps (St Louis Park)
Chess tournaments:
1. Pan-o-Prog, Burnsville, 9am-3pm, Sat July 14, 2012
Unrated. Details here.
2. Olechess Warm-Up, St. Olaf College, Northfield. Saturday, July 21, 2012. Details here.
A bit more info: "It is open to the public, all ages, no restrictions other than being a current USCF member. There are no prizes, but it's likely good practice for those upwardly aspiring USCF rating holders. It's 15 bucks, four rounds, game in 40 and lunch is included."
3. St Croix Valley Chess Tournament, Stillwater, Saturday, July 21. Unrated. Details here.
4. Catfish Days, July 27-28, Franklin, MN. Rated. Details here.
5. Twin Ports Open, Aug 4-5, 2012, Duluth. Rated.
Weekly chess:
1. Shoreview library chess, 2-4pm Sundays (discontinued as of 8/12/12)
2. Chess Castle of Minnesota--1121 Jackson Street, #134, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Beginner (Novice) 6:20pm-7:10pm; Intermediate/Advanced 7:15pm-8:15pm. Cost: $54 Beginner, $60 Intermediate/Advanced (6 sessions). Flyer and registration form here.
1. School Chess Association--Summer 2012 information is here
(SCA camp [above] has been a very popular camp for Turtle Lake students (about eight Turtle Lake kids attended this camp last year; some attended more than one week. 8 4-day camps to choose from--some include an optional overnight).
2. Ed Zelkind Summer Chess Camps (St Louis Park)
2012 options: July 23 - July 27; July 30 - August 3; August 6 - August 103. Chess Camp at St. Olaf College: July 22 – 27, 2012
4. Twin Cities Chess Club Camps at various locations including Lino Lakes, Fridley, and Hopkins.OleChess offers a challenging week of instruction featuring some of the premier players and teachers in the world. Instruction is supplemented with activities designed to reinforce the new skills you learn and to provide ample opportunities for play. OleChess is for chess players of all ages, strengths and levels of experience. If you want to improve your game, enjoy the company of fellow chess enthusiasts and learn from the masters, OleChess is perfect for you!...
Each year, Kevin Bachler, OleChess Camp Director and FIDE Master, brings the best available masters to OleChess. Camp instructors for summer 2012 include GM Gregory Kaidanov, GM Yury Shulman, IM John Bartholomew, and GM Irina Krush, one of the top women chess players in the U.S. and a former U.S. Women’s Champion.
Chess tournaments:
1. Pan-o-Prog, Burnsville, 9am-3pm, Sat July 14, 2012
Unrated. Details here.
2. Olechess Warm-Up, St. Olaf College, Northfield. Saturday, July 21, 2012. Details here.
A bit more info: "It is open to the public, all ages, no restrictions other than being a current USCF member. There are no prizes, but it's likely good practice for those upwardly aspiring USCF rating holders. It's 15 bucks, four rounds, game in 40 and lunch is included."
3. St Croix Valley Chess Tournament, Stillwater, Saturday, July 21. Unrated. Details here.
4. Catfish Days, July 27-28, Franklin, MN. Rated. Details here.
5. Twin Ports Open, Aug 4-5, 2012, Duluth. Rated.
Weekly chess:
1. Shoreview library chess, 2-4pm Sundays (discontinued as of 8/12/12)
2. Chess Castle of Minnesota--1121 Jackson Street, #134, Minneapolis, MN 55413
PLEASE NOTE: Aside from the weekend events listing below, at the bottom of this column you'll find details for our two weekday night tournaments, on Monday and Thursday nights.3. Chess at Barnes and Noble on Wednesday evenings
NORTH SUBURBAN: An informal chess group that meets Wednesdays from 6-9 PM at Barnes and Noble bookstore in the Har Mar Mall. This seems to be the largest gathering of players who are just looking for causual games. For information contact Art Fisher (651) 426-2406 or Duane at (651) 773-3135. Class A, B, C, D boards available.Shoreview Fall Chess School: Taught by Igor Rybakov at Shoreview Community Center, Tuesday evenings, Sept. 25-Oct 30.
Beginner (Novice) 6:20pm-7:10pm; Intermediate/Advanced 7:15pm-8:15pm. Cost: $54 Beginner, $60 Intermediate/Advanced (6 sessions). Flyer and registration form here.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Some notes on School Chess Association tournaments
The School Chess website has a lot of good, detailed generic tournament information here. (registration/rules/pairings/rounds/reporting results/membership cards/awards/end of tournament).
The current SCA tournament flyer is here. The flyer shows tournament dates, tournament locations, and much more.
Also from School Chess:
Advice to parents (before sending your kids to their first tournaments)
Common misconceptions about scholastic chess
Notes for first-timers:
--SCA tournaments use the touch-move rule
--you don't need to bring a chess clock. Bring a chess set with roll-up board if you have one. They do sell nice chess sets (with roll-up board and carrying bag) that many players end up using
--Turtle Lake normally has an informal "base camp" somewhere where parents and children can relax between games
--Players are encouraged to wear yellow Turtle Lake Chess Club shirts (This makes it much easier to find each other at big tournaments, it makes it easier to locate Turtle Lake players among many tournament photos on the SCA website, and it also helps with "team spirit".)
--grade-level tournaments have typically been drawing about 30-70 players per grade
--tournaments normally run roughly 9:00 to 2:30 or so
--there's usually a welcome session before play starts with explanation of rules, national anthem, etc. At the end, everyone is "turned loose"; players then look up their name (normally posted on a sheet in a hallway), to find their assigned board number and pieces (white or black). It's Ok for parents to help their children find their assigned board, but then parents are asked to leave the competition room (although they can often glimpse the action through a window somewhere)
--all grade levels starts round one at roughly the same time but after that, rounds for each grade may be staggered--just listen for loudspeaker announcement or "town crier" for the next round notification (example: "THIRD ROUND FOR GRADE 2 is now beginning").
--there are typically trophies for top 5 or so, also a "novice trophy" (for the highest-placing player who has never won an SCA trophy in the past). For example, if you place ninth, but the top eight players have all won trophies in the past, you get the novice trophy (must be present at the award ceremony to win)
--if you need to miss a game (for example, you play an early basketball game before heading to the chess tournament), you can request a bye
--Grade-level tournaments have team awards (based on summing the points for each team's top three finishers)
--food and drink (such as pizza/hot dogs/pop/water) is available (bring cash)
--wireless internet access is often available
--After each grade level finishes round five, there is a brief award ceremony. Even if you don't win an individual trophy or team award, you might get a medal for "merit points" (basically if you score 2.5 points in a tournament, you get 2.5 merit points). You get a bronze medal after earning 10 total points.
--"swiss system" software is used for matching up players--everyone is guaranteed five games; after round one, you're normally matched against players with similar records (ie, if you're 4-0, you'll play someone who also is 4-0).
--the tournaments attract a wide range of talent, from very strong players to beginners
--First-time players can register using US mail (directions here), or can register at the door from 8-8:30am. If you're preregistered and prepaid, you can arrive by 9 am. Note that first-time registrants get no confirmation that they've registered.
--If you register using the U.S. mail, you'll need to get it postmarked by Tuesday of tournament week. If not, you can bring the new player form and $18 payment in to register at the door 8-8:30am on Saturday.
--At your first tournament, don't forget to pick up your player ID card at the scorer's table--it's usually available after the fourth round or so. I'd advise recording this number in multiple places (maybe email it to yourself)--you'll need the SCA player ID number when registering for all future tournaments.
--Registering for tournaments online is fairly easy once you get your SCA player ID card.
--when you arrive at tourney, make sure your child is registered correctly.
--You normally can't register for a tournament until the previous tourney finishes
The current SCA tournament flyer is here. The flyer shows tournament dates, tournament locations, and much more.
Also from School Chess:
Advice to parents (before sending your kids to their first tournaments)
Common misconceptions about scholastic chess
Notes for first-timers:
--SCA tournaments use the touch-move rule
--you don't need to bring a chess clock. Bring a chess set with roll-up board if you have one. They do sell nice chess sets (with roll-up board and carrying bag) that many players end up using
--Turtle Lake normally has an informal "base camp" somewhere where parents and children can relax between games
--Players are encouraged to wear yellow Turtle Lake Chess Club shirts (This makes it much easier to find each other at big tournaments, it makes it easier to locate Turtle Lake players among many tournament photos on the SCA website, and it also helps with "team spirit".)
--grade-level tournaments have typically been drawing about 30-70 players per grade
--tournaments normally run roughly 9:00 to 2:30 or so
--there's usually a welcome session before play starts with explanation of rules, national anthem, etc. At the end, everyone is "turned loose"; players then look up their name (normally posted on a sheet in a hallway), to find their assigned board number and pieces (white or black). It's Ok for parents to help their children find their assigned board, but then parents are asked to leave the competition room (although they can often glimpse the action through a window somewhere)
--all grade levels starts round one at roughly the same time but after that, rounds for each grade may be staggered--just listen for loudspeaker announcement or "town crier" for the next round notification (example: "THIRD ROUND FOR GRADE 2 is now beginning").
--there are typically trophies for top 5 or so, also a "novice trophy" (for the highest-placing player who has never won an SCA trophy in the past). For example, if you place ninth, but the top eight players have all won trophies in the past, you get the novice trophy (must be present at the award ceremony to win)
--if you need to miss a game (for example, you play an early basketball game before heading to the chess tournament), you can request a bye
--Grade-level tournaments have team awards (based on summing the points for each team's top three finishers)
--food and drink (such as pizza/hot dogs/pop/water) is available (bring cash)
--wireless internet access is often available
--After each grade level finishes round five, there is a brief award ceremony. Even if you don't win an individual trophy or team award, you might get a medal for "merit points" (basically if you score 2.5 points in a tournament, you get 2.5 merit points). You get a bronze medal after earning 10 total points.
--"swiss system" software is used for matching up players--everyone is guaranteed five games; after round one, you're normally matched against players with similar records (ie, if you're 4-0, you'll play someone who also is 4-0).
--the tournaments attract a wide range of talent, from very strong players to beginners
--First-time players can register using US mail (directions here), or can register at the door from 8-8:30am. If you're preregistered and prepaid, you can arrive by 9 am. Note that first-time registrants get no confirmation that they've registered.
--If you register using the U.S. mail, you'll need to get it postmarked by Tuesday of tournament week. If not, you can bring the new player form and $18 payment in to register at the door 8-8:30am on Saturday.
--At your first tournament, don't forget to pick up your player ID card at the scorer's table--it's usually available after the fourth round or so. I'd advise recording this number in multiple places (maybe email it to yourself)--you'll need the SCA player ID number when registering for all future tournaments.
--Registering for tournaments online is fairly easy once you get your SCA player ID card.
--when you arrive at tourney, make sure your child is registered correctly.
--You normally can't register for a tournament until the previous tourney finishes
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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