Chess Merit Badge for BSA

BSA has just released the requirements for the Chess Merit Badge. I stole the original document from the meritbadge.org website. However, I marked it up with buttons that will link to informational websites to answer the requirements. I set them up so that they will not print, though.

We are looking at hosting our 2nd Shootout at the Fort on December 10. More information to follow...

Meanwhile, for those who are looking to get their scouts ahead of the game, HERE is the modified PDF document.

The Jarhead Opening...not to be found in MCO!

The Marine Corps Detachment from Goodfellow AFB provided the Color Guard, headed by Sgt Roy D. Singleton, from Houston, TX, to perform the opening ceremony. The Star-Spangled Banner was sung by Sgt Adam Slaughter, from Memphis, TN.

I was reminded by one of the attendees of the historic significance of Fort Concho for African-American servicemen. I had to admit that I was ignorant of the history of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments that were stationed here in present-day San Angelo. The above mentioned sergeants are two of my closest colleagues and were more than happy to perform the ceremony for the attendees. A special thanks goes out to these Marines for kicking this tournament off in a spectacular fashion

"I didn't know Mr. Adam could sing like THAT!" Enrique Castro

Hit the link for more info on the Buffalo Soldiers.

We had a GREAT turnout of 20 kids for the tournament today. Thanks to all the parents, staff and Marines that came out to help me host this event. I'll be sure to post up some photos, but here are the results:

K-2nd

1st Anthony Navarro

2nd Enrique Castro

3rd Austin Contreras

3-5th

1st Ethan Ruiz

2nd Wyatt Waters

3rd David Martinez

6th & up

1st Ryan Formacka

2nd Mike Eckhardt

3rd Justin Wallace

In an effort to increase awareness and participation with the chess club, Fort Concho Elementary will be hosting a tournament on Saturday, May 15 from 9:30 to 3:00. It feels as though we've thrown things together at the last minute, but I feel confident that we can pull it off. Hopefully, there'll be a healthy turnout!

So this weekend, we held a base tournament on Goodfellow AFB. The turnout was rather sad, but the competition was more than enough for me. I went 2-2 and the one solid win I had was full of some amateur mistakes, particularly at moves 9 & 17. I played Black.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. c3 Nf6
4. d4 exd4
5. cxd4 Nxe4
6. d5 Bb4+
7. Bd2 Bc5
8. Qc2 Bxf2+
9. Ke2 Nd4+
10. Nxd4 Qh4
11. g3 Qg4+
12. Nf3 O-O
13. Qxc7 Re8
14. Be3 Bxe3
15. h3 Nxg3+
16. Kd1 Qxf3+
17. Kc2 Qf2+
18. Kb3 Bb6
19. Qc3 Re3
20. Bd3 Nxh1
21. a4 d6
22. Nd2 Rxd3
23. Qxd3 Bf5
24. Qc3 Bd4
25. Qc1 Qe3+
26. Ka2 Rc8
27. Qxh1 Qxd2
28. Rd1 Qxb2#

How to teach an opening...

At least that there are such things!

I attempted to force my students into King's pawn openings for a variety of reasons. The primary reason is to teach them to fight for the center and develop their kingside pieces for a quick O-O castle.

With the variations that can sometimes get too far in depth than I'd care to delve with my ROOKIES, I set up several openings to include the Ruy Lopez, Scotch Game, Giuoco Piano, Petrov's Defense, King's Gambit and a personal favorite, the Four Knight's Game.

After introducing the openings and explaining a bit about the theory behind them, I forced the kids into specific openings and then had them switch with their opponents to play the opposite side. Please keep in mind that I am dealing with primarily 2nd graders. To my surprise, a few were able to recall from memory the position they played without referring to the algebraic notation I had written on the board.

I've read and have been told that the majority of players, especially at the beginner scholastic level, need not concern themselves with standard openings. For the most part, I agree. However, in this case, it has been helpful to show the children why it's important to start thinking strategically from the outset. So, I have used these "book" openings to highlight some of the key principles that I have been wanting them to focus on:

1. Fight for the center!

2. Develop your minor pieces quickly.

3. Fight for an advantage in tempo.

4. Protect your King.

It's worked.

I have seen remarkable improvement in their openings and what's even more important is the fact that they are now READING, on their own, about chess. Some of my kids are now looking for an advantage over their peers. I gotta love that.

Book review: The Immortal Game by David Shenk

I just finished reading The Immortal Game by David Shenk and I must say that it is an excellent read for anyone remotely interested in the game of chess. The author used deft strategy and cunning tactics to manipulate the reader into his desired position. Using a frame story to base the non-fiction work around, the reader is allowed the opportunity to dissect a little known match-up between two Grandmasters that took place in a cafe in London right around the time of an international chess tournament.

The subtitle of the book is: How 32 Carved Pieces On A Board Illuminated Our Understanding of War, Art, Science and the Human Brain. That pretty much sums it up.

At skillfully selected junctures, Shenk pauses the play by play commentary to delve into various finer points within the history of chess. The highlights include it's mythological creations (there are plenty!) as well as the most likely true origin of the game. Attention is paid to the different schools of chess theory, from romanticism on through the current synergistic school of thought.

Additionally, the author proceeds to look at the impact of chess throughout WW II and the Cold War era. Another area that is given attention is the impact of chess on the development of artificial intelligence. The section that grabbed my attention the most, though, was the chapter that addressed chess' applicability in the educational system.

What is amazing is that Shenk is able to accomplish all this in a manner accessible to people with no prior knowledge or experience. I highly recommend this book, especially for anyone with children just beginning to play chess. For me, it reinforced what I instinctively knew regarding its benefits in the educational system.