As fans of Covey would know, it is wise to "begin with the end in mind." That is, to know where you are going before you begin. Most masters teach beginners the endgame very early in their training, so I will do the same...!
Some great endgame lessons are here, below (from a nice beginners' site, "Logical Chess"):
King and Pawn Endgame
First, learn the secrets of King and Pawn endgame play.
King and Pawn Endgame Studies
Then test your skills on these problem diagrams.
Knight Endgame
Learn the secrets of King, Knight, and Pawn endgame play.
Knight Endgame Studies
Then test your skills on these problem diagrams.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Rules of Chess pt1
The Starting Position:
Chess is played by two players beginning in the position shown above. The White player (the player of the light colored pieces) moves first. Then each player takes a single turn. In fact, a player must move in turn. In other words a move cannot be skipped.
When setting up the pieces, keep in mind two things. The light colored square goes on the player's right, and Queens go on their color next to the Kings on the center files.
You may not move a piece to a square already occupied by one of your own pieces. You may capture an opposing piece by replacing that piece with one of your own pieces, if it can legally move there.
Chess is played by two players beginning in the position shown above. The White player (the player of the light colored pieces) moves first. Then each player takes a single turn. In fact, a player must move in turn. In other words a move cannot be skipped.
When setting up the pieces, keep in mind two things. The light colored square goes on the player's right, and Queens go on their color next to the Kings on the center files.
You may not move a piece to a square already occupied by one of your own pieces. You may capture an opposing piece by replacing that piece with one of your own pieces, if it can legally move there.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tournaments Coming Up!
Last week, we let the kids play FULL GAMES of chess.
It was useful to see how far they have come. Some kids amazed me! Most kids still need a great deal of work before they learn the game... but thats OK!!! There's lots of time. If you have a chess board at home, make sure they know how the pieces move, that's the first hurdle.
Remember, the PRIMARY GOAL of the chess class is to LEARN THE GAME and HAVE FUN! If a child wishes, they may join tournaments when they are ready!!! We have three divisions- WHITE, BLUE and RED. See the explanation of BLUE players below, on this blog site.
Our first tournament as a team is NOVEMBER 7, at Goodrich elementary!!! This will be a fun, WSCF scholastic tournament! Then, another one on November 14th, then the big tournament at University School on November 21st!!!
Just a couple weeks before our first tournament.
Remember, these tournaments are OPTIONAL and are best only for kids who have learned the basics. Before Nov 7th, I would like to have an extra session for the WHITE DIVISION. A CHESS FOUNDATIONS course. Still thinking about this.... would be good to give special attention to the beginners. I am thinking to also invite some of the Lake Denoon players to help out! Let me know if you have any ideas here. Thanks!
It was useful to see how far they have come. Some kids amazed me! Most kids still need a great deal of work before they learn the game... but thats OK!!! There's lots of time. If you have a chess board at home, make sure they know how the pieces move, that's the first hurdle.
Remember, the PRIMARY GOAL of the chess class is to LEARN THE GAME and HAVE FUN! If a child wishes, they may join tournaments when they are ready!!! We have three divisions- WHITE, BLUE and RED. See the explanation of BLUE players below, on this blog site.
Our first tournament as a team is NOVEMBER 7, at Goodrich elementary!!! This will be a fun, WSCF scholastic tournament! Then, another one on November 14th, then the big tournament at University School on November 21st!!!
Just a couple weeks before our first tournament.
Remember, these tournaments are OPTIONAL and are best only for kids who have learned the basics. Before Nov 7th, I would like to have an extra session for the WHITE DIVISION. A CHESS FOUNDATIONS course. Still thinking about this.... would be good to give special attention to the beginners. I am thinking to also invite some of the Lake Denoon players to help out! Let me know if you have any ideas here. Thanks!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Checkmating with 2 rooks, and 1 rook
Here is a link to checkmating with ONE rook:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cYiU0Z3plg
Here is a link to checkmating with TWO rooks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sVAm6Kgogk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cYiU0Z3plg
Here is a link to checkmating with TWO rooks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sVAm6Kgogk
Friday, October 9, 2009
Free Internet Chess !!!
Do you have the Internet? Check out freechess.org!
Just go to www.freechess.org and you can create an account for your child. This is a GREAT way to play online chess and to find a game anytime!!!
We will be "meeting" online Tuesday night at 8PM for anybody who wants to try it out!!!
Mark/Mr. Seghers/Mr. S
Just go to www.freechess.org and you can create an account for your child. This is a GREAT way to play online chess and to find a game anytime!!!
We will be "meeting" online Tuesday night at 8PM for anybody who wants to try it out!!!
Mark/Mr. Seghers/Mr. S
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
When is a Player Ready for Tournaments?
We have three divisions in our club:
WHITE players are the players still learning how to compete. This is the bulk of our team today. Learning how the pieces move. Learning pawn structure. How to checkmate and mate. Basic opening strategy.
BLUE players are ready for tournaments.
Generally, Blue players know and can demonstrate:
- How to play a full game all the way to the end
- How to deliver Check, and Check Mate, using a combination of pieces
- How to defend 4-move mate and its variations
- How to checkmate using queen and rook, and rook alone (vs. a lone King)
- When a game is winnable and when it is a draw
- Knows stalemate and how to avoid (or deliver when losing)
- Good opening form:
- Understands the value of the pieces
- Understands pawn structure
- Knows one good opening for white, and how to defend basic openings as black
- Etc.
RED players are tournament players who have won 4 games in a 6 game tournament, or 3.5 points in a 5-game tournament.
WHITE players are the players still learning how to compete. This is the bulk of our team today. Learning how the pieces move. Learning pawn structure. How to checkmate and mate. Basic opening strategy.
BLUE players are ready for tournaments.
Generally, Blue players know and can demonstrate:
- How to play a full game all the way to the end
- How to deliver Check, and Check Mate, using a combination of pieces
- How to defend 4-move mate and its variations
- How to checkmate using queen and rook, and rook alone (vs. a lone King)
- When a game is winnable and when it is a draw
- Knows stalemate and how to avoid (or deliver when losing)
- Good opening form:
- Developing center pawns
- Controlling the center
- Developing minor pieces
- Castling
- Understands the value of the pieces
- Understands pawn structure
- Knows one good opening for white, and how to defend basic openings as black
- Etc.
RED players are tournament players who have won 4 games in a 6 game tournament, or 3.5 points in a 5-game tournament.
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