Consider Year-End Giving!

Hola darlings!  I hope EVERYONE had an absolutely wonderful Christmas.  Mine was fabulous - spent in peace and solitude and I thoroughly enjoyed getting away from the rat race for a few days!  I made all of my favorite dishes for myself, gorged myself on good chocolates and wine (lots of wine, heh heh) and had fires in the fireplace every night.  It was WONDERFUL! 

There she is in all her glory, Maison Newton, complete with a snow storm (those white specks caught by the camera on "scene" don't capture how hard it started snowing seemingly the moment I stepped outside to try and capture a night image of mon maison in all of its Christmas-time glory)!  Let me tell you, that fireplace sure has come in handy:)  This photo was taken on December 16 and we've gotten a lot more snow since then -- still a foot on the ground now, even after Friday and yesterday's "melt-off" (we had a high of 44 degrees F yesterday and it felt positively spring-like outside!)  By this evening, temperatures will be back below zero F and the 'highs' for the next several days will be in the single digits F!   Brrrrrrrr shiver shiver! 

For U.S. taxpayers who itemize their deductions, many make year-end donations to "up" our charitable deductions for the year.  If you are one of those fortunate enough to have enough deductions to top the Federal Standard Deduction, I ask you to please consider making a donation to either or - preferably - both of these very worthy chessly charitable endeavors!

The Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation is conducting its 2013-2014 Annual Campaign to raise funds for the coming year's chessly activities.  Straight from the email:

2013-2014 Annual Campaign

This year's annual campaign will run through Feb 1, 2014. Each year WSCF raises funds to complete its annual budget. Funds are used to offer scholarships at end of the year tournaments, pay entry fees for Title I students at tournaments, help students attend summer chess camps, purchase online chesskid.com memberships, and pay for FirstMove (FirstMove) curriculum in Milwaukee Schools. Over $1500 has been raised to date toward this years goal.

 

WSCF activities and annual budget continues to grow each year. The end of the 2012-2013 season found over 1650 players participating in over 45 tournaments across the state. Tournaments were held in Green Bay, Appleton, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Plymouth, Sussex, Fall River, Watertown, Kenosha, Port Washington, Greenfield, Waukesha, Fox Point, Glen Dale, Whitefish Bay and Milwaukee. Nearly 200 campers attended 14 camps from Baraboo, Sheboygan, Kenosha and places in between. This fall WSCF teachers taught in 13 different schools in the Milwaukee Metro area and WSCF helped 9 different schools start the First Move curriculum in it 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms.

 

Your continued support will help WSCF expand its mission of providing scholastic chess to thousands of students across Wisconsin.

 

To donate click on this link to give on line via our First Giving page Annual Campaign or mail a check to our office at: WSCF 2819 W. Highland Blvd. Milwaukee, WI 53208. Your support is greatly appreciated.

You can make a donation online, I just did! 

Seriously, every little bit helps these kids a LOT!  If you prefer, you can send a check directly to the WSCF:  WSCF, 2819 W. Highland Blvd. Milwaukee, WI 53208.  All donations to WSCF are tax-deductible for those who itemize their U.S. Federal income tax deductions.  There are still a few more days to donate.  Wouldn't it be grand to send WSCF on its way to 2014 with $1,000 or more in its funding!


Another one of my favorite chessly groups is 9 Queens!  9 Queens was established by Jen Shahade and Jean Hoffman in 2008 in Tucson, Arizona:  9 Queens is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through chess by making the game fun, exciting, and accessible. We offer free chess education programs specifically designed to promote critical thinking skills, academic performance, and self-confidence. Our mission is to use chess as a tool to motivate, empower, and engage under-served and under-represented populations to realize their potential and achieve academic and personal success.

Donations to 9 Queens are tax-deductible for those who itemize their U.S. Federal income tax deductions. I am proud to have been a supporter of 9 Queens since I first learned of the organization; for a few years, 9 Queens and Goddesschess collaberated to provide a special prize to the U.S. Women's Chess Championship. 

Arizona residents have a special opportunity to direct their local tax dollars toward 9 Queens objectives:

You decide where your tax dollars go...

To support 9 Queens please dedicate your Public School Activity Tax Credit to the Mexicayotl Academy!

If you pay taxes in Arizona, you have two choices about where that money goes:

#1: Send your tax dollars to the state, where legislators will decide how and where that money will be used.

#2: Keep your tax dollars in your community by making a donation to an organization you support.

Mexicayotl Academy is a qualifying charter school that is able to receive your Public School Activity Tax Credit. This tax credit is in addition to and completely separate from the Private School Tuition and Arizona Charitable tax credits. You may participate in any or all three if you are able to.

Individuals can claim a credit of up to $200, and couples filing jointly can claim $400. Click for more information on the tax credit from the Arizona Department of Revenue.

Your donation affects our community and supports our mission by helping the Mexicayotl Academy students learn a skill that is proven to help them with their critical thinking skills in math and science and in their self esteem. They are the future of Tucson-help us give them an opportunity they might not have had without us.

To make your donation to Mexicayotl Academy:

• Mail your donation before Dec. 31, 2013, to Mexicayotl Academy 667 N. 7th Ave, Tucson AZ 85705
• Please note on your check that it is for the CHESS PROGRAM.

Also, 9 Queens is a 501(C)(3) Non-Profit EID#77-0711937 and your donations are tax deductible!

For donations to 9 Queens please send your check to:

9 Queens P.O. Box 41838 Tucson, AZ 85717

Or go directly to 9queens.org to click the donate now button.

 

I just made a donation to 9 Queens, and I hope you will consider making one, too!  I know I sound like a broken record, but every little bit DOES help tremendously, because all of those little bit donations can add up!  But only you can help them add up by making a donation.

 

If either of these chessly endeavors don't ring your chimes, please please consider making a chessly endeavor donation elsewhere.  Chess in the United States is not a government-supported activity.  Chess is not something on most people's radar!  We chessly types must develop our future chess champions on our own, and corporate and charitable foundation sponsorship is sadly lacking for most of our local programs, in whatever state you live in.  'kay, enough said!  Goddess bless you all, darlings, and I sure do hope you will be celebrating New Year's Eve like I intend to celebrate mine :) :) :)

The 6th Annual All Girls Chess Tournament

A report from the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation's March, 2011 newsletter:

154 young lady chess players from Waukesha, Muskego, Beaver Dam to Green Bay and places in between gathered at Acuity Insurance corporate headquarters in Sheboygan for the 6^th annual Wisconsin State All Girls Championships.  Every player received a pink t-shirt that complimented the grey and silver trophies.  A total of $1000 in scholarships were given to  six players in three divisons.  In the K12 division winners were Alena Huang, Sabrina Huang, and Naisha Bepar.  In the K5 division and K3 Divisions the scholarship winners were Mallory Veeser,  Anna Brink and Delia Alexander.  You can see the results table here  A special thanks to Acuity Insurance for sponsoring this event. 

Alena Huang and Sabrina Huang play at my adopted chess club, Southwest Chess Club, and have won Goddesschess sponsored prizes playing in some of the Hales Corners Chess Challenges. Isabella Ilchenko (12th place) has also played in many of the Challenges.  In fact, Challenge XIII (the number of the Goddess) is coming up on April 16, 2011! 

Here are the top K12 finishers:

Congratulations to all of the winners and scholarship recipients! 

WSCF: Sixth Annual All-Girls Chess Tournament

SIXTH ANNUAL ALL-GIRLS CHESS TOURNAMENT

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Sponsored by

Acuity Insurance

Location: Acuity Insurance Corporate Office 2800 S. Taylor Drive Sheboygan, WI 53081

Format: Three Sections K3 U800*, K5 U800* and K12, 5 Round Swiss G30
K3 U800 Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top 5 players.
K5 U800 Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top 5 players.
K12 Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top 5 players Medals to all participants.
*Under 800 Wisconsin or USCF ratings

Scholarships: 1st K3 U800 $100; 1st K5U800 $200; K12, $400 to 1st place, $200 to 2nd , $100 to 3rd

Entry: No onsite registration.  Registration closed February 3, 2011.
 
Check out the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation's flyer for further information. WSCF website.
 
Last year's All-Girls Tournament, also sponsored by Acuity Insurance of Sheboygan, featured 32 girls playing in the K-3 Individual, 56 playing in the K-6 Individual, and 23 playing in the K-12 Individual.  Fifth Annual All-Girls Tournament results.

Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation - Fall, 2010 Newsletter

WSCF Website.

In addition to several events:

Oct 2 - Kenosha Tournament (sorry about the late announcement)
Oct 5 - WFB Club Begins
Oct 15 - Blitz Tournament
Oct 23 - Saylesville Tourny
Nov 6 - Lakeview - Kenoahsa Tourney
Nov 6 - Trinity Lutheran - Okauchee
Nov 13 - Sun Prairie Tourney
Nov 19 - 21 International Folk Fair Tournament/Simuls
Nov 26-27 Chess Camp
Dec 4 Community HS Tournament
Dec 11 Fairview Charter Tourney

two new chess clubs have been added:

The first is in Kenosha and meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month.  The club meets from 6:00 to 8:00 at Lakeview Technology Academy at 9449 88th Avenue, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158.   The club is free for drop in players and members will pay dues, the amount as yet to be decided. Club leaders are Alan Cargille and Tom Chryst.

The second club is in Whitefish Bay and begins October 6th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.  The "Whitefish Bay Community Chess Club" meets at Roundy Memorial Baptist Church at 1250 E. Hampton Avenue. The first 10 week session of the club ends December 15 with one week off for Thanksgiving.   You can sign up for the club the first 3 weeks on site or you can sign up on-line (unfortunately, no link was provided) at or go to WSCF's website (see above).  Fee for the 10 week session is $40 or $5 for 1 evening. Students will recieve instruction at their level, participate in club tournaments and have lots of fun. Chris McElduff, local chess instructor will lead, teach and organize the club. Email for further information. 

Wisconsin has a young scholastic player who has been invited to play in the World Youth Chess Championships October 19 - 31, 2010, but his family needs financial assistance to make this dream a reality:



Awonder with his Co-Champion
Trophy at Supernations IV

 Send Awonder To Greece!

Awonder Liang of Van Hise Elementary in Madison is 7 years old , in second grade and is going to Greece. He has qualified in the U8 category to participate in the World Youth Chess Championships next month from Oct 19 - 31.

Awonder has competed in over 60 tournaments in only 27 months and as of this writing is rated 1812. Awonder qualified as one of 40 participants to represent the US at the World Championships where he will play 11 rounds of chess in as many days. Last December Awonder became the National 1st grade Champion.

The cost to send him to Greece is more than his family can afford so there is a fund set up to collect funds for his journey. Join WSCF in helping Awonder go to Greece by sending your donation to: Send Awonder to Greece, account #182374870661, c/o US Bank, 3609 University Ave., Madison, WI, 53705.

You can read more about his trip and his exploits in this Wisconsin State Journal article.

Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation Summer Events

We received the following information from the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation and we're happy to pass it along:

WSCF Summer Chess Activities
There are many chess educational opportunities and activities available for students and adults this summer of 2010.

There are currently ten chess camps, four community clubs, five Super Summer Simuls events, ten Chess Tent Teaching and Simul events, two chess classes and a summer ending chess festival scheduled.

Chess Camps

All of WSCF chess camps are designed as hands-on educational events where students will receive a balance of instruction at their level and chess play via a tournament and free play. Students will work on the pawn, knight or bishop certificates and compete in a 5 round Swiss tournament where every student receives a medal.

The fee for all camps is $50, $65, and $75 depending upon registration deadlines. Scholarships are available and applications are on line and at the bottom of this newsletter and should be mailed to the WSCF P.O. box or to the new state office at 2803 N. Teutonia, Milwaukee, WI 53206. The currently scheduled camps are listed below.

If you would like a camp in your area please call Bob at the WSCF office at 262-573-5624 or email at bob@wisconsinscholasticchess.org as soon as possible.

June 12:
Sheboygan Christian School M - F, 9 - 12 am

June 21:
Northwest Catholic School M - F, 9 - 12 am

June 28:
Whitefish Bay M- F, 9 - 12 am

August 2:
Loyola Academy - Milwaukee M - F, 9 - 12 am

August 9:
Pewaukee Elementary School M - F, 9 - 12 am

August 9:
Plymouth - Baymont Inn M - F, 9 - 12 am

August 9:
St. Peter School - Kenosha M - F, 9 - 12 am. (pending)

August 16:
WSCF Chess Center - Milwaukee M - F, 9 - 12 am

August 16:
Green Bay - Boys & Girls Club M, T, 9 - 4, W 9 - 12

August 23:
WSCF Chess Center - Milwaukee M,T 9 - 4

Community Chess Clubs

The community chess clubs are set up this summer to provide students an opportunity to play and maintain their skills, play with friends, benefit from some instruction and work on their certificates. The fee will be $10 per month or $3 per session. Again, scholarships are available. Register on line and pay upon arrival. The current clubs scheduled are:

WSCF Chess Center - Milwaukee
Thursdays 4:00 - 6:00
Begins May 27

Whitefish Bay
Thursdays 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Begins June 2

Sheboygan
Mondays 6:30 - 8:30
Begins June 24

Brookfield
Time and days to be announced.

Super Summer Simul Events

There will 5 simultaneous chess exhibits, with the first in June at Roundy Memorial Baptist Church in Whitefish bay. The people doing the simuls will be some of WSCF's top student players, scholarship winners and coaches. These people will be announced on our website.

One purpose of the simuls is for students and adults to play someone with a much higher rating and to take notation and hone their skills against future Grandmasters or International Masters or experienced chess coaches.

Fee will be $10 for students and $15 for adults. Spots will be limited and you can register on line till spots are filled or register at the door. Payment will only be taken on site.

The times and dates of the Simuls are as follows:

June 23
Roundy Memorial Baptist Church - Whitefish Bay 7:00 P.M.

July 22
Roundy Memorial Baptist Church - Whitefish Bay 7:00 P.M.

August 11
Roundy Memorial Baptist Church - Whitefish Bay 7:00 P.M.

August 28
Fondy Market Chess Festival - Milwaukee 10:00 A.M

Sept 23
Roundy Memorial Baptist Church - Whitefish Bay 7:00 P.M.

Chess Tent

WSCF has a chess canopy tent and sets it up at festivals and other outdoor events.

At these events students can receive free 10 minute lessons, adults can play in simuls and literature of WSCF activities will be available. Fee for participating in a simul is $2 and chess boards, sets and books will be available for purchase.

Events currently scheduled are Juneteenth Days on June 19th. This will be our 4th year at the festival and in the past we have been given a spot at the corner of Martin Luther King drive Locust.

We are also scheduled to set up at the Fondy Farmers Market from June 26th to June 28th.

If you wish to have a chess tent at a festival near you please call Bob at 262-573-5624.

Chess Classes

There will be free classes at Franklin Public Library from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on July 12th and July 19th. There may be a small fee for non-Franklin residents. Space is limited.

A chess class for teachers and club leaders will begin August 24th, meet for 8 weeks on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:00. The class will meet at WSCF Chess Center at 2803 N. Teutonia. The intent of the class is to teach chess basics to beginning adult players who want to lead a club or teach chess in their classrooms. Participants will learn how to implement WSCF's certificate program, sponsoring a successful club, how to implement a club chess ladder, preparing students for chess tournaments and learn the latest chess educational principles used in WSCF Summer chess camps. Fee is $75 for advance registration, and $90 onsite registration. Space is limited. Grants are available.

Fondy Farmers Market Chess Festival

WSCF's first outdoor chess festival will be on Saturday August 28th. Activities will include a scholastic chess tournament, adult tournament, student - adult combo tournament, chess simul, chess tent, face painting and balloons for the young at heart. The festival will be held on the site and conjunction with the weekly farmers market. Each scholastic participant will receive a free festival t-shirt.

Fresh vegetables and great food available on site. See festival flyer under chess tournaments for more information and registration. Register by mail with check, register on line with visa or paypal or in person at the WSCF chess office. $5 entry fee for all Title I school participants.

Tournament play will start at 8:00 am, awards will be at 2:00. The Fondy Farmers Market grounds close at 3:00 pm.

WSCF chess camp, club & simul Scholarship application

Name _________________________________________________

Grade (2010-2011)_______________

Home Address ________________________________City________________ Zip __________________

School of Attendance __________________

Parent Name(s) ________________________________________________________________________

Parent Phones H, W, C __________________________________________________________________

How many WSCF tournament have you attended in the past two years ? ________________________

If you belong to a chess club, please describe your participation in the club, how active are you in the club and what leadership role you may provide.





Please describe your current strategy or plan you implement in a chess game.





Please share with us what you wish to learn at a chess camp.





Please describe how you would share the knowledge you learned at the chess camp with your fellow team or club mates.

Check Scholarship request: ______ Chess Camp $25 _______ Chess Simul $5 _______ Chess Club _______ $5/mo.

What Chess camp do you wish to attend? ____________________________________________________________

Signed

Student _____________________________________________
Date _________________________

Parent _______________________________________________
Date ________________________

Please mail before June 8 for the June and July chess camps.
Please mail before July 15 for the August Chess camps.

Mail to:
Chess Camp Scholarships
WSCF
P.O. Box 170843
Milwaukee, WI 53217

or

WSCF
P.O. Box ??? (seems to be an error in transmission here)
2803 N.Teutonia
Milwaukee, WI 53206

Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation - News & Upcoming Events

Some news from the March, 2010 WSCF newsletter:

New WSCF Office
WSCF has opened an office in Milwaukee at 2803 N. Teutonia in the 53206 zip code area. The office is located in the " Coffee Makes You Black " building. The building was once a bank and was built in the 1920's. It has beautiful Greco Roman architecture and is very spacious. Come by for coffee or a game of chess during business hours of 8:30 to 6:00. The WSCF office is located on the second level.

Grant Funding Available
WSCF has received a donation to provide funding for student chess lessons. Please send an email or letter of intent to Bob Pattersoon-Sumwalt at bob@wisconsinscholasticchess.org or mail to P.O. Box 170843 Milwaukee, WI 53217.

REMINDER!  Here are two upcoming events exclusively for the chess femmes!

Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation’s

Fifth Annual All-Girls

Scholastic Chess Tournament

Saturday April 10, 2010

Sponsored by Acuity Insurance

Location: Acuity Insurance Corporate Office 2800 S. Taylor Drive Sheboygan, WI 53081

Format:
Three Sections K – 3 K – 6 Open (K-12) 5 Round Swiss G30
WSCF K - 3 Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top 5 players.
WSCF K – 6 Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top 5 players.
WSCF Open (K – 12) Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top 5 players
Medals to all participants.

Scholarships:
K – 3 $ 100 to Champion
K – 6 $ 200 to Champion
Open $ 400 to Champion, $200 to 2nd Place, $100 to 3rd Place

Entry:
No Entry FEE Register on line at www.wisconsinscholasticchess.org before Thursday
April 8th at 11: 00 pm. There will be no onsite registration.

Each entrant, parents and coaches will receive a free lunch. Each participant will receive a
tournament T-shirt. Scholarships provided by Acuity Insurance.

Transportation:
Acuity will pay for buses to transport students from Kenosha/Racine, Madison and Green Bay.
Students living in Milwaukee can ride on a bus provided by Milwaukee Public Schools. Contact
WSCF at bob@wisconsinscholasticchess.org for more information.

Schedule:
8:15 – 9:00 Check in. 9:30 Round 1 9:45 Presentation and discussion lead by Bob
Patterson-Sumwalt on “Why Chess for Kids, Using Chess as an educational tool in the classroom and how to run a chess club” 11:00 – 3:00 Free Game Analysis 10:00 – 2:00 Free Lunch and Snacks. 3:00 – 4:00 Awards

Supervision:
At least one designated adult supervisor must be present at all times during the tournament to
oversee your school’s team, or individual participants who are in K through 8th grade.

Note:
WSCF reserves the rights to change the number of trophies depending upon number or registrations. Divisions maybe combined if the number of participants warrant. Inclement Weather: In case of inclement weather please go to the WSCF website before 7:30 am on April 10th to determine if the tournament is delayed, postponed or cancelled.

REGISTER for bus trip and hotel room (shared) to and from the USCF sponsored National All Girls Chess Championships to be held in Columbus, Ohio April 16 - 18, 2010.  This is for transportation and hotel only.  Registration for the event is through USCF website.

Scholastic Chess in Kenosha, WI

Allan Cargille of the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation sent me info on an upcoming scholastic tournament:

Christ Lutheran Academy

Chess Tournament

Saturday March 20, 2010

Location: Messiah Lutheran Church (Parish Hall)
2026 22nd Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140

Format: K– 4 and K – 8 divisions, Wisconsin-rated, 6 round Swiss, G30.
WSCF membership not required. Rounds 1 may be G25.

Awards: K–4: Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top three players; and medals to all
K–8: Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top three players; and medals to all.

Award Ceremony may begin between 4:00 and 4:30.

Entry: $10 per player for advance registration, $15 on site registration

Check-in from 8:00 to 8:30 am. Round 1 begins around 9:30 or before. Players not having arrived at the
school by 8:30 will begin play in round 2. Please check in as early as possible. For advance registration,
register online at www.wisconsinscholasticchess.org before 11:00 pm on Thursday March 18th.

Registration fee will be paid at the tournament.  Make checks payable to Christ Lutheran Academy.

Coaches and parents only at registration table, please. Coaches, please do not register until all of your
players have arrived. Please have them arrive by 8:15.

Please note new on site registration and check in times. !!!!!

Lunch: Available for purchase on-site.

Supervision: At least one designated adult supervisor must be present at all times during the tournament to oversee your school’s team, or individual participants who are in K through 8th grade.

Bring: Pencils and clocks if you have them. Questions: Contact the tournament host Tom Chryst at
262- 752- 0785 or tomchryst@yahoo.com or WSCF at bob @wisconsinscholasticchess.org or
262-573-5624.

Chess Notation: Chess notation encouraged in all divisions. Students without notation decrease their
ability to resolve chess disputes. Documentation helps students to study their games and to make their game
fair in case a disagreement occurs.

Inclement Weather: In case of inclement weather check the WSCF website or call 262-573-5624 for
information on a later start time, postponement or cancellation.

* WSCF reserves the right to cancel divisions or combine divisions based on actual attendance.

Wisconsin All Girls State Championships

Once again the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation is holding an all girls state scholastic championship. Here are the details!

Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation’s Fifth Annual All-Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament Saturday April 10, 2010 Sponsored by Acuity Insurance

Location: Acuity Insurance Corporate Office 2800 S. Taylor Drive Sheboygan, WI 53081 Format: Three Sections K – 3 K – 6 Open (K-12) 5 Round Swiss G30 WSCF K - 3 Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top 5 players. WSCF K – 6 Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top 5 players. WSCF Open (K – 12) Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top 5 players Medals to all participants. Scholarships: K – 3 $ 100 to Champion K – 6 $ 200 to Champion Open $ 400 to Champion, $200 to 2nd Place, $100 to 3rd Place Entry: No Entry FEE Register on line at www.wisconsinscholasticchess.org before Thursday April 8th at 11: 00 pm. There will be no onsite registration. Each entrant, parents and coaches will receive a free lunch. Each participant will receive a tournament T-shirt. Scholarships provided by Acuity Insurance. Transportation: Acuity will pay for buses to transport students from Kenosha/Racine, Madison and Green Bay. Students living in Milwaukee can ride on a bus provided by Milwaukee Public Schools. Contact WSCF at bob@wisconsinscholasticchess.org for more information. Schedule: 8:15 – 9:00 Check in. 9:30 Round 1 9:45 Presentation and discussion lead by Bob Patterson-Sumwalt on “Why Chess for Kids, Using Chess as an educational tool in the classroom and how to run a chess club” 11:00 – 3:00 Free Game Analysis 10:00 – 2:00 Free Lunch and Snacks 3:00 – 4:00 Awards (I assume somewhere in here Rounds 2, 3, 4 and 5 will also be held. Five games - G30 = 2.5 hours. ) Supervision: At least one designated adult supervisor must be present at all times during the tournament to oversee your school’s team, or individual participants who are in K through 8th grade. Note: WSCF reserves the rights to change the number of trophies depending upon number or registrations. Divisions maybe combined if the number of participants warrant. Inclement Weather: In case of inclement weather please go to the WSCF website before 7:30 am on April 10th to determine if the tournament is delayed, postponed or cancelled. The Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation (WSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association dedicated to promoting chess for all youth in Wisconsin Thank you so MUCH, Acuity Insurance, for being a sponsor and also providing scholarships for this great event!

Chess Camp Begins!

Summer camps and outreach sponsored by the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation are all ready to go! All right!!!

WSCF Summer Camps Begins Tournament Dates Reservation Begin In this Newsletter: Summer Camps Begin Juneteenth Days on June 19 Tournament Date Resevations Begin

WSCF Summer Chess Camp Registration and Information Form.

WSCF summer camps are designed for the beginner to intermediate player, grades K - 12, rated 1400 and below in the Wisconsin and USCF Rating systems. All students will be challenged at their level with individual assignments as needed. Students will work toward their pawn, knight and bishop certificates. All camps will conduct a 5 round Swiss tournament and all participants will receive a medal. Top three participants will receive a WSCF t-shirt. Camps are designed for a balance of teaching, chess play, competitive play and fun.

Questions to: WSCFSummercamps@wisconsinscholasticchess.org. If registering with the WSCF, complete and mail to WSCF Summer Camps, P.0. Box 170843, Whitefish Bay, WI 53092

June 22 - 23 - 24 Wausau Chess Camp For Information and Registration download information flyer for the Wausau Chess Camp. $60

June 22 - 26 JCC Mequon Water Park 1:00 - 4:00 pm $95, $125 Non-member Register with the JCC at 262-964-4444 or on their website at http://www.jccmilwaukee.org/

June 29 - July 2th Kohler Elementary School 8:30 - 12:00 noon $45 333 Upper Road Kohler, WI 53044

July 6 - 10 JCC Mequon Water Park 1:00 - 4:00 pm $95, $125 Non-member Register with the JCC at 262-964-4444 or on their website at http://www.jccmilwaukee.orgj/

July 13 - 14 - 15 Advanced Camp with Dr. Sheldon Gelbart and John Veech. This camp will work on end game strategy and study famous endgames of the masters. Will also work on overall strategy, tempo and time management. For players over 1200 in the Wisconsin and USCF rating systems. 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. $105. At Our Lord and Savior United Methodist Church. 5000 Sunnyslope Road New Berlin 53151 Register with on line form and mail to WSCF.

July 20 - 24 N'Joy Coffee and Tea, 8:30 to 12:00 , $60 651 Walton Drive Plymouth, WI 53073

August 3 - 7 JCC Mequon Water Park 1:00 - 4:00 pm $95, $125 Non-member Register with the JCC at 262-964-4444 or on their website at www.jccmilwaukee.org

August 10 - 14 Peawaukee Elementary School Camp 8:30 - 12:00 noon , $60 Lake Elementary School, Cafeteria, 436 Lake St. Pewaukee 53072

August 17 - 21 Daniels-Mardak Boys & Girls Club, 1:00 - 4:30, Free for B&G mem; $25 students living in City of Milwaukee; $60 outside Milwaukee. 3500 Mother Daniels Way, Milwaukee, WI 53209 Register for this camp by mail or submit at any Milwaukee Boys & Girls Clubs.

August 17 - 21 Whitefish Bay Recreation Department Chess Camp 8:30 to 12:00 $75 resident/$85 non-resident. Course code: 160506 Lydell Community Center 5205 N. Lydell Avenue, 53217 Register with the Whitefish Bay Recreation Dept. at 414-963-3947 Registration: Complete this form print and mail to WSCF. Circle the camp(s) above you wish to attend. Do not register here for JCC's or Wausau camp or Whitefish Bay Camp.

Student Name _________________________________________ Birth Date ________________ Address ____________________________________ City ________________ Zip ___________ School of Attendance _____________________________________________________________ Wisconsin Rating ____________ USCF ______________ No rating _________ (please check) Parents/Guardians Name ________________________________________________________________ Phone(s) : Home___________ Cell ____________ Work____________ Enclosed: _$______

Juneteenth Days Chess Tent Each of the last two years WSCF has put up a chess tent on June 19th and take part in one of the largest celebration of Juneteenth Day in the country. We pass out WSCF Literature, sell boards and t-shirts and take on all comers for $2. If they win they get their money back. Youth pay a $1. Come by and play chess or make a donation to WSCF. 2009-2010 Tournament Reservations We are currently scheduling dates for the upcoming season. Some months fill up quickly so please contact Bob at http://us.mc379.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bob@wisconsinscholasticchess.org asap. We will send you a contract and you can send back a deposit. If deposits are not recieved by Sept. 10 we will take your school off the schedule and not put the tournament in the program catalog. We are also interested in editing or evolving the contract. We are looking for a small committe of 4 -6 past tournament hosts to go over and discuss procedures and pricing. We will do this via a chat room and email that will be set up for that purpose. This work needs to be done by August 1st so contracts can go out. If you would like to be on this committee please let us know asap.

Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation

In addition to holding many other tournaments throughout the year, in 2009 the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation funded $4,000 in scholarships at four Wisconsin scholastic tournaments. The following information is from the WSCF website: According to WSCF founder and President, Bob Patterson-Sumwalt, “The WSCF is dedicated to promoting scholastic chess as a means to academic achievement. The scholarship funds we are awarding this year are a great way for our organization to meet that objective.” February 28th 2009 The 4th Annual All Girls Tournament. $1000 in total scholarship funds were awarded. We are thrilled to offer this wonderful tournament held at Devine Savior Holy Angels High School, a private “All Girls” school. Click for details. Click for Results (Goddesschess was pleased to make a donation to the 2009 All Girls event). March 7th 2009 WSCF 2009 Grade Level Championships. $500 in total scholarship funds were awarded. Players compete against others within their own grade. The tournament will be held at the Marion Center in St. Francis. Click for details. Click for Results March 28th The 4th Annual March of Champions Tournament. $1000 in total scholarship funds were awarded. At the Mother Katherine Daniel's Center in Milwaukee. Click for details. Click for Results April 18th - 19th The 2nd Annual WSCF State Championship. $1500 in total scholarship funds were awarded. At the Kalahari Water park Resort and Convention center in the Wisconsin Dells. Winners in all 4 sections will be eligible for scholarship awards. Click for details.

2009 Christ Lutheran Academy Chess Tournament

Hola darlings! My favorite scholastic chess organization, the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation, presents a tournament on May 2, 2009 in Kenosha, Wisconsin:

Christ Lutheran Academy Chess Tournament Saturday May 2nd, 2009

Location: Messiah Lutheran Church (Parish Hall) 2026 22nd Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140 Format: K– 3, K- 6 and K – 12 divisions, Wisconsin-rated, 6 round Swiss, G30. WSCF membership not required. Rounds 1 may be G25. Awards:

K–3: Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top three players; and medals to all K–6: Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top three players; and medals to all. K–12: Three Team Trophies. Individual trophies to top three players and medals to all. Award Ceremony may begin between 4:00 and 4:30. Entry: $10 per player for advance registration, $15 on site registration Check-in from 7:45 to 8:45. Round 1 begins at 9:30 or before. Players not checked in by 8:45 will begin play in round 2. Please check in as early as possible. For advance registration, register online at www.wisconsinscholasticchess.org before 11 pm on April 30th. Registration fee will be paid at the tournament. Make checks payable to Christ Lutheran Academy. Coaches and parents only at registration table, please. Coaches, please do not register until all of your players have arrived. Lunch: Available for purchase on-site. Supervision: At least one designated adult supervisor must be present at all times during the tournament to oversee your school’s team, or individual participants who are in K through 8th grade. Bring: Pencils, chess sets and clocks if you have them. Chess boards and other chess items will be available for purchase on site. Questions: Contact the tournament host Rev Thomas Chryst at tomchryst@yahoo.com or 262-633- 4831 or WSCF at td @wisconsinscholasticchess.org or 262-573-5624. Chess Notation: Chess notation required in all USCF divisions and in all WSCF divisions with students over 3rd grade. WSCF and host reserve the right to change or delete divisions and number of awards depending upon entries on day of tournament.

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Come, one and all, and join the fun playing in this fab event. Send me your best game in PGN and I'll publish it here, where millions of readers from around the world will see it and analyze it in awe and amazement at your brilliance!!! Well, okay, not millions, thousands. Yes, do not snort, it is not polite. We do get thousands of readers here each week, which we find absolutely amazing but extremely gratifying :)) Send your photos too - we'll have a big ol' party right here online.

Wisconsin 4th Annual All Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament

Soon the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation will be announcing details for the 4th Annual All Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament - I understand the particulars of the 2009 Tournament are being put together. I realize this is somewhat late in reporting (lol!) but I've only recently become aware of this important event in my home state that promotes chess for younger chess femmes! Way to go WSCF! Here are the individual standings in the K-3, K-6 and K-12 classes from the 2008 tournament, held on April 26, 2008: K-3 Place Name Rating Pts TBrk1 TBrk2 TBrk3 Rnd1 Rnd2 Rnd3 Rnd4 Rnd5 1 HUANG, ALENA 1019 5.0 14.0 16.0 32.0 W21 W9 W8 W3 W2 2 CHIESA, EMILY 648 4.0 14.5 16.5 23.0 W24 W12 W17 W4 L1 3 CATALAN, ANGELICA 450 4.0 14.0 15.0 20.0 W32 W15 W10 L1 W11 4 SCHNEIDER, CLAUDIA 519 4.0 13.0 14.5 21.0 W6 W23 W25 L2 W8 5 RATHORE, SRISHTI 458 4.0 11.0 12.5 20.0 W18 L17 W29 W13 W9 6 LEWIS-TAYLOR, DONNA 407 4.0 10.0 11.0 14.0 L4 W33 W23 W29 W17 7 ROBINSON, DESTINY 249 3.5 11.5 14.0 19.5 W11 L8 W12 D17 W19 8 ULATOWSKI, HANNAH 442 3.0 15.5 17.0 16.0 W28 W7 L1 W10 L4 9 O'CONNOR, HÉLÈNE 318 3.0 13.5 15.0 12.0 W16 L1 W24 W25 L5 10 LENZ, EMMA 397 3.0 12.0 14.0 14.0 W26 W14 L3 L8 W21 11 HUANG, SABRIN 611 3.0 12.0 14.0 13.0 L7 W19 W20 W21 L3 12 ILCHENKO, ISABELLA 313 3.0 12.0 14.0 13.0 W27 L2 L7 W18 W20 13 SCHNEIDER, MAYA 311 3.0 11.0 13.0 14.0 L20 W27 W14 L5 W22 14 REBHOLZ, MADISON 306 3.0 10.0 11.0 10.0 W22 L10 L13 W34 W24 15 RAJENDRAN, JASHMI 301 3.0 10.0 11.0 9.5 W33 L3 D18 D20 W25 16 SIDDIQUE, MANAAL 194 3.0 9.0 9.0 7.0 L9 L18 -B- W23 W29 17 ADUSUMILLI, ARIANNA 279 2.5 11.5 16.5 13.5 W34 W5 L2 D7 L6 18 GONZALEZ, MARINA 122 2.5 8.5 14.0 11.0 L5 W16 D15 L12 W31 19 SUBRAMANIAN, UMA 214 2.5 7.0 12.0 9.5 D30 L11 W22 W26 L7 20 DEPALMA, NATALIE 270 2.0 10.5 13.5 10.5 W13 D29 L11 D15 L12 21 HILDEBRAND, GABRIELLE 193 2.0 8.5 13.5 5.0 L1 W32 W28 L11 L10 22 GALIEN, SIERRA 112 2.0 8.5 11.5 6.0 L14 W31 L19 W28 L13 23 CHRYST, BAILEY 213 2.0 8.0 12.0 3.0 W35 L4 L6 L16 W33 24 ZIETLOW, MARIAH 111 2.0 7.5 11.5 3.0 L2 W35 L9 W33 L14 25 ULATOWSKI, GRETA 100 2.0 7.5 11.5 3.0 -B- W30 L4 L9 L15 26 MCCAULEY, MIRANDA 115 2.0 7.0 10.0 6.0 L10 D34 W30 L19 D27 27 OKORO, CHIKA 100 2.0 7.0 10.0 4.5 L12 L13 W35 D30 D26 28 PEREZ, ERIKA 100 2.0 5.0 8.0 2.0 L8 -B- L21 L22 W34 29 PETZOLD, GRACE 221 1.5 10.0 14.0 5.0 W31 D20 L5 L6 L16 30 WHITTOW, KATIE 100 1.5 6.5 9.0 5.5 D19 L25 L26 D27 D32 31 CAYEN, EMMA 100 1.5 5.0 7.5 2.0 L29 L22 D34 W35 L18 32 HILLER, MARLA 100 1.5 4.5 8.5 1.5 L3 L21 L33 -B- D30 33 RUCKSTADTER, ALI 100 1.0 8.0 12.0 2.0 L15 L6 W32 L24 L23 34 TROMPETIR, HAILEY 100 1.0 7.5 10.5 3.5 L17 D26 D31 L14 L28 35 RUCKSTADER, EMMA 100 1.0 5.5 7.5 0.0 L23 L24 L27 L31 –BWSCF K-6 Place Name Rating Pts TBrk1 TBrk2 TBrk3 Rnd1 Rnd2 Rnd3 Rnd4 Rnd5 1 EMERY, ELIZABETH 606 5.0 11.0 11.0 22.0 W11 W14 W3 W2 -X- 2 HOLZ, MARY 564 4.0 14.0 17.0 25.0 W8 W4 W5 L1 W3 3 DUBROSKY, JASMIN 377 3.0 14.5 16.5 16.0 W15 W9 L1 W7 L2 4 SMEATON, MORGAN 388 3.0 12.5 13.0 11.0 W18 L2 W10 L5 W12 5 SAGER, STEPHANIE 587 3.0 12.0 12.0 16.0 W12 W6 L2 W4 -F- 6 LEWIS, ABBY 544 3.0 11.5 13.5 14.0 W7 L5 W13 W11 L9 7 RAJENDRAN, RASHMI 301 3.0 11.0 12.0 12.0 L6 W8 W14 L3 W16 8 MERAZ, ODALYS 293 3.0 11.0 11.5 9.0 L2 L7 W17 W14 W13 9 MCCAULEY, ALANNA 722 3.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 W13 L3 L11 W12 W6 10 PATTERSON, HEATHER 224 3.0 9.0 10.0 10.0 W16 L12 L4 W15 W11 11 MISEY, ROSE 315 2.0 11.0 15.5 10.0 L1 W15 W9 L6 L10 12 GOMOLL, RACHEL 301 2.0 10.0 13.5 8.0 L5 W10 W16 L9 L4 13 WHITTOW, JESSICA 294 2.0 7.5 10.5 3.0 L9 W17 L6 W16 L8 14 MCKAY, RACHEL 413 2.0 7.0 11.5 2.0 W17 L1 L7 L8 W18 15 REDLINGER, JULIA 132 2.0 6.0 9.0 2.0 L3 L11 W18 L10 W17 16 MCCAULEY, CASSIDY 263 1.0 7.5 10.5 1.0 L10 W18 L12 L13 L7 17 MARLIN, LAURA 100 0.5 6.5 9.5 0.5 L14 L13 L8 D18 L15 18 STAUDT, SARA 100 0.5 5.5 8.5 0.5 L4 L16 L15 D17 L14 K-12 Place Name Rating Pts TBrk1 TBrk2 TBrk3 Rnd1 Rnd2 Rnd3 Rnd4 Rnd5 1 HUANG, JOANNA 801 4.5 11.5 12.0 21.0 W5 W3 W4 W2 D2 2 LANGE, CHARLOTTE 406 3.0 13.5 14.0 13.0 W3 D6 W5 L1 D1 3 KIM, MARY LIZ 730 3.0 11.5 12.0 9.0 L2 L1 W6 W4 W5 4 UNGER, DEBORAH 458 2.0 5.0 9.5 4.0 W6 W5 L1 L3 -U- 5 STEARNS, MADDIE 113 1.0 8.5 13.0 0.0 L1 L4 L2 -B- L3 6 FILALI, SARA 249 0.5 5.5 8.5 3.0 L4 D2 L3 -U- -U As you can see, there was a great drop-off in participants between the K-3 and K-12 level: from 35 girls to 6. As GM Susan Polgar has repeatedly pointed out at her blog, young girls who start out eager to play chess tend to drop out of the game in their early to mid-teens. Just speaking selfishly, as a nation, we could potentially be losing some female players who could develop into outstanding chess talents - and we cannot afford to lose even one of these potential stars! I mean, darlings, it's not as if we're churning out top 10, 20 or 50 world-class players on a regular basis. I would like to see more American players in the top 10 of international competitions - and in world events put together for children (World Youth Chess Championships) and teens (World Junior/Girls chess Championships). What's to be done? GM Susan Polgar has led the way in the United States by developing and promoting national girls-only events - we can do more. Programs to encourage girls to play chess and continue to play chess can be developed at local levels, in our own communities, and at state levels. But - it is local players who participate in the big national events that GM Polgar has been putting together, offering great scholarships and other prizes for the all-female participants. (GM Polgar also sponsors a great national boys event offering great prizes, so no promising young U.S. players are excluded from perhaps winning a 4-year college scholarship, laptop computers, and other great prizes). We must start at the local level to promote chess among our children. The benefits of young people playing chess has been well documented and I won't go into that here - I will post links to some articles that discuss the topic and provide much better information that I can do in my own words! This morning I had a lengthy telephone conversation with one of the members of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation. It was an eye-opener for me, and very informative. Perhaps because of reading so much about GM Polgar's efforts to promote chess as an educational tool (as well as a route to individual personal development) I was under the impression that scholastic chess in the United States is pretty well funded. That is not necessarily the case, at least - not here in Wisconsin. The WSCF, operating on a shoe-string budget (funding is primarily comprised of individual donations and net funds raised from entry fees for tournaments and chess camps) and run by non-paid volunteers (primarily parents of scholastic chessplayers), offered a total of $700 in prizes in 2008 for their girls-only tornaments, in the form of U.S. Savings Bonds. I hope I got that right! Can we do better? I know we can - we just need more people wrapping their brains around how to get better funding and how to better promote these fantastic events for our young players. I mean really, darlings, wouldn't you rather see our young people going head to head over a chessboard, using their brains, developing skills and abilities that will serve them well for the rest of their lives, than acting out their competitive instincts as gangbangers on a one-way trip to dead before 21? How about volunteering to assist at a local chess club? Or if your state has a scholastic chess organization, volunteer to assist it? How about contributing $25, $50 or $100 a year toward funding prizes for our kids? Imagine the impact on a state chess organization if just 50 people contributed $100 each. Wow! Think about it.