Chess Training - 1

Hola! This will probably be my only post tonight. I'm very tired, sorry. It's been a LONG event-filled day. Earlier today I finished up my game - by resignation - with Chessdaddy (a/k/a Kelly Atkins), who acted as my coach leading up to the Shira Chess Challenge. I was hanging in there as black - so I thought - until a few moves back I, absolutely unforgivably, hung my bishop to a pawn. OH SHIT. After that, it was curtains, and to add to my embarrassment, I'm sure I missed a move or two that may have led to me hanging on a bit longer. Sigh. In the meantime, I started a new game with Shira about a week ago - it is in early moves, given both of our schedules. And earlier this evening I challenged Chessdaddy to a rematch :) Don't know if he'll accept. In the meantime, Mr. Don has steadfastly refused (ha!) to accept any of my challenges to play another game of chess - online. He says he is too busy. Yeah, and I'm sitting around doing nothing? Trust me, darlings, Mr. Don is going to be met at the door when he arrives for Christmas with my replica Lewis chess pieces already set up on a custom-made elm and cherry board (a gift from one of my legal mentors) before the fireplace, chilled and heavily-liquored up eggnog readily at hand. He will NOT be able to refuse, unless he wishes to sleep overnight in the nearest snowbank.

The Triple Chess Goddess Has Spoken

...to me. Specifically - in the person of GM Susan Polgar, in her column in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal (online version). How does she DO that? This is really spooky... This week's column is geared to no less than - BEGINNERS. Such as yours truly. Oh, I know I know, I've been playing chess for nearly 40 years now, and never progressed a whit in my game in all this time. The only thing I think I know about chess at this point in my life is that the end-game usually means there are many less pieces on the board and one has more room to run. It isn't as if I don't know these things - except I don't really know them at all. So - Polgar: Try these basic chess principles to help you become a better player Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Sunday, June 28, 2009 Story last updated at 6/28/2009 - 5:30 pm Here is the question of the week: What are some of the most important things novice/ scholastic chess players need to know about chess? Chess is a very easy game to learn, but harder to master [you ain't kidding]. Here are some very important principles in chess that will help you become a better player. • Control the center • Develop your pieces as soon as possible • Castle as soon as possible • Keep your pieces protected • Have lots of fun. Win with grade. Lose with dignity And once you've got the hang of the above, you should also remember: • Every move should have a purpose. • What is the idea behind your opponent's move? • Always think before you move. There is no take back in chess. So make your decision carefully. • Learn to make plans. Planning is one of the most important elements of the game of chess. • Analyze your games and learn from your mistakes. Every player, from beginner to world champion, makes mistakes. It is very important to go over your games to find mistakes and learn from them. • Pace yourself wisely. Oh oh... I am in trouble. Big trouble. I can't keep all of these things in my head! I can't keep even half of them in my head. There's a reason why some people do not play chess, and I'm Exhibit #1.

Chess in Sebastopol, CA

A nice program being started up at Copperfield's Books in Sebastopol: Mike Carey Talks Chess and Baseball Saturday Contributed by Sara Peyton - Posted: February 27, 2009 10:41:42 AM Mike Carey, the former superintendent of the Sebastopol Union School District, started writing after he retired in 1997. Now he has bragging rights to two new novels. On Saturday afternoon, he plans to discuss both of them at Copperfield's Books in Sebastopol. "Going the Distance: To the Kings, The Story of the National Chess League" (Seven Locks Press, $11.95) tells the story of two unlikely crusaders bent on proving that chess is a sport. The inspiration for Carey's second novel, "Heading for Home, A Baseball Odyssey" (Publish America, $19.95) is based on true events. It describes the journey of a young boy who flees Russia in 1917, resettles in Japan, and becomes the country's greatest baseball player. Recently I caught up with Carey and asked him about his reinvention as an author. "I started writing both books right after retiring. However, I had the idea for the chess book back at the time Bobby Fischer had made the game so popular in 1972," Carey said. "The baseball book came from two angles--the first being the true story of Victor Starffin and the other about what happened to Japanese-Americans right after Pearl Harbor, specifically in Sebastopol. " To help celebrate his books, Carey said Copperfield's is creating an ongoing location in the Sebastopol store for chess players. "Folks can drop in to play a game or reserve the board for a scheduled match. Players will be encouraged to sign up as individuals or teams (and name their respective teams). We are still working on the final details, but will be able to share those on Saturday," Carey said. He added: "For newer/younger players, we will encourage them to join the Copperfield's 64 Club. Once a youngster has completed 64 games, he/she is eligible for a special award. There will also be drawings for prizes (ranging from chess boards to t-shirts featuring the six teams in the book). Students will also be encouraged to design their own chess pieces (a display of various chess pieces will also be at Copperfield's). " Meet Mike Carey, Feb. 28. 1:30, Copperfield's Books, 138 Main St., Sebastopol.

Chess News: Andover, Massachusetts

I'd like to see more of this kind of news! Photo: Tim Jean/Staff Photographer Keith Iwanicki, center, watches over his daughters Livia, 6, left, and Anielle, 8, as they learn to play chess. The library held a Learn to Play Chess program on Saturday afternoon that was a big hit. Story from the Andover Townsman Published: February 05, 2009 05:04 am Pawn brokers: Chess club may form at Memorial Hall Library By Judy Wakefield Staff Writer Could a chess club for beginners be forming a Memorial Hall Library? Check, mate! Last Saturday's two-hour "Chess for Beginners" event on Jan. 31 was such a hit that Community Services Librarian Emily Classon said she is considering starting a club for those learning to play. "We had 60 people of all ages turn out, so it was very successful," she said. "There were families with kids, grandparents with kids, seniors and just regular people who came to participate. It was a lot of fun." When asked about the game's appeal, Classon said it's all about challenging the mind. In the midst of this snowy winter, getting out to do that is apparently very appealing. "It's just an interesting game. A lot of different people like it," she said. Classon can be reached at 978-623-8401, ext. 31.

A New Year Resolution - To Learn Chess

A great idea! Make A Resolution to Stick To Last Update: 5:43 pm Web produced by: Jessica Noll Whether you are vowing to take up a hobby, get fit, learn a new skill, read more, become more computer literate, volunteer your time or get your GED in the New Year, the Kenton County Public Library can help with your resolution. Always wanted to learn to play chess? Here is your chance! The Mary Ann Mongan Library in Covington will offer a two-part Chess Class Saturdays, Jan. 17 and 31, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The class for children in first grade through adults will teach the basics such as pieces, point values, rules and moves. The Covington location also offers Chess Club for children in grades K-12 every Thursday from 3-5 p.m. It’s open to all skill levels.