Our Best Game at State

Brady and Yaseem

We played several meaningful game at the State Scholastic tournament, but one stands out in my mind.

We tell our kids PLAY SLOW, TAKE NOTATION. FIGHT TIL THE BITTER END. etc etc. But sometimes those are just words. A few of our top players lost games in which they played too quickly. It's one thing knowing what to do, it's quite another DOING what you should, and assimilating principles into actual game play.

Brady Megal from LDMS was paired against University's top K-5 player, Yaseem. Brady's rating was much lower, and he had not played in very many tournaments this year. Last year, he had given up chess, and this year he was slowly getting back into it. We were very happy to have him back for the state tournament. The race between LDMS and USM was very close with a couple rounds to go, so this was an important matchup for us.

Early in the game, Yaseem trapped Brady's Queen, and he lost it.

Many, if not most, beginning players including myself maybe, would have mentally given up at that point... maybe not resigned exactly,... but would have given up in SPIRIT. Instead, Brady dug deep, and settled into his chair for a long battle. Long after the other players had left the room, Brady and Yaseem battled on. I ambled by at some point, and saw Brady down 7 points.

Later, in the team room, helping another kid through his notation, Brady ran up to me with a jubilant THUMBS UP. He had won! I couldn't believe it! Not only against a strong player, but down 7 points. Brady showed me the trap he had prepared and executed, to win back the Queen he had lost and established a lead which he was then able to turn into a victory. I will be posting Brady's notation with his permission in an upcoming post, I hope....! For now, I just wanted to relay the story to the blog.

There have been many such stories this year involving the entire team. Jason's showing at USM. Josh's great day at Richards. Rachel's defeat of Magellan's Eric R. at the Museum. Kolt's first place finish at St. Bernadete's. Jacob's emergence towards the end of the year, regularly knocking off 900+ players. Zeke's steady improvement. Chris M's great first tournament. Brian's trophy at State, and his great showing at Thomas Jefferson. Chris T's rejuvenated spirit, and his steady, regular solid play at all events. I could go on and on. As a Dad and Coach of course, I am very proud of my boys also for their hard work this year. Evan and Reid share my pride in the LDMS knights and all our boys and girls have accomplished in this year. A few more tournaments to go... let's make some more memories!

LDMS Results so Far

Back when they were Cute...

The 2007 Mill Valley Elementary Knights

I just thought I would post this shot of the team from 2007, including Evan, Reid, ChrisT, and Jorin, the K-3 Unrated National Champions! Here some of us go (including Gregory with the Knights of Bay Lane), back to Nashville again... and we'll never be unrated, or underrated... again.

LDMS Hits Nationals!

The fabulous Gaylord Opryland hotel

This week, four of the players on the LDMS Knights and their families will be hitting the amazing Gaylord Opryland hotel in Nashville TN for the SuperNationals.

This tournament is the largest chess tournament that has ever been held in world history.

Evan, Reid, Kolt and ChrisT will be attending with their families. We are driving down starting at 430AM to try and miss Chicago rush hour on Wednesday. Thursday, there is blitz and bughouse, then on Friday the actual 7-game tournament begins.

Please see the www.supernationalsiv.com website for more details. Good luck Knights! I will be posting updates every day on this site.

VICA for our Advanced Players

Please see my previous post- coach notes. Ashish Vaja has been working with Reid and Evan, and Matt (also from VICA) has just begun working with ChrisT. Ashish has provided the following information for me to post on our blog.
Vaja International Chess Academy (VICA) is a chess school which seeks to produce strong chess players who can be competitive at the national and international level. Chess is an excellent tool when it comes to the cognitive development, work ethic, sportsmanship, outlet for emotions, and fighting spirit in children. Candidate Master Ashish Vaja formed VICA in 2007 because of the lack of organized quality instruction in Wisconsin. His idea was simple, contract out only experienced instructors who must first go through a year training period and must have a USCF rating above 1800. Any instructor who goes through the year training period and does not reach a peak rating of 1800 during that time is considered a VICA Junior Instructor until he/she meets the rating requirements. Since then VICA has grown into a multi faceted business providing services like: instruction for large and small chess programs/clubs, private instruction, small group instruction, bughouse instruction, mini chess camps, sleep over chess camps, and organizing regional and National events, like the 2009 United States Junior Open/Closed Championships. Ashish Vaja learned of chess in the summer of 1998 when he was about to enter 8th grade from a friend during recess. Unfortunately he played in his first tournament without full knowledge of all the rules and the only tournament available was an open adult tournament. He lost all of his games, while upsetting some of his opponents since he did not know en passant, castling, and was not yet fluent with how the knight moved. After the discouraging result and lack of instruction from the local school district he decided not to play chess ever again. Nine months later he was taught the rest of the rules from another friend at school and the rest is history. While Ashish was growing up there were only 3 scholastic tournaments a year in Wisconsin, and no chess schools. It was only by luck that he ran into the famous Wisconsin chess player and superb chess trainer NM Alexander Betaneli who would took Ashish to the next level in chess. He would help Ashish to eradicate all of the bad habits that he picked up going from 1000-1800 in a little over one year without a chess coach. Prior to this Ashish had one private instructor, attended a chess camp, and took a chess class or two, but due to financial problems and lack of quality instruction chose to work mostly by himself. After meeting NM Betaneli he quickly learned that he had developed many bad habits. Most of which were from the poor instruction and learning things incorrectly or at the wrong time in his chess development. It was at this time that Ashish realized that you could give someone all the things that need to be taught to the student to an instructor and it was still possible to present the information in the wrong way or in the wrong order. VICA provides systematic and a tested training methodology to limit bad habits and plateaus.
VICA strives for excellence when it comes to teaching. Our instructors take it upon themselves not only to teach chess, but to teach students about proper work ethic, sportsmanship, and try to help each student to develop an iron will to succeed when trying to tackle any problem on and off of the chess board.
VICA and Wisconsin Chess Academy work together to promote chess in Wisconsin.
The VICA/Wisconsin Chess Academy team:
NM Ashish Vaja—2240 USCF – Milwaukee Ashish Vaja was the 2007 United States G/30 Champion, and one of the top players in Wisconsin. He has played in local, national, and international events, and has represented the state of Wisconsin on two occasions. Having won 10+ open chess tournaments he has a vast knowledge of competitive chess. His students include: beginners, state, and national champions. Ashish has been teaching for 5+ years and, he is currently a full time chess player and chess trainer. Ashish@VajaChess.com
NM & FIDE Master Alexander Betaneli – 2325 USCF -MadisonFIDE Master Alex Betaneli, three time Wisconsin State Champion is successful as a player and as a coach. In the past decade alone, he has won more than fifty tournaments in Wisconsin. His students have captured the most honorable state titles. The team he coaches--Madison West High School--has won the unprecedented nine out of the last eleven State Championships ! Alex's students include Ashish Vaja, Erik Santarius, and Brian Luo. Alex@VajaChess.com
National Master Erik Santarius – 2286 USCF-Milwaukee Erik Santarius is a young, creative, devoted student of chess. He played first board for the Madison West High School team, helping them win three State Championships and finish third at Nationals in 2005. Erik has competed in many tournaments in Wisconsin and across the country, with several open tournament victories to his credit. His teaching experience began at Madison West High School and continues to grow with the Wisconsin Chess Academy and the University School of Milwaukee. Erik@VajaChess.com
Matthew Schladweiler (Junior Instructor) – 1645 USCF-Milwaukee Matt Schladweiler is a successful coach from Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Having played competitive chess for almost 10 years, he has a vast knowledge of what is needed to become a strong competitive player. Matt is a former Junior High State Champion and has represented Wisconsin at SuperNationals. Matt recently has devoted his time towards teaching chess and starting up 6 different successful elementary, middle and high school chess clubs in his area.
VICA
Info@VajaChess.com or 414.234.1005
www.VajaChess.com

Coaches Notes

I thought I would take a few minutes on a Monday morning near the end of the season to reflect a little bit on coaching, and to provide another avenue for some of our top players.
As a coach, I do what I can to teach the kids the basics, remind them of tricks/traps, discuss openings, help them with puzzles, help them take notation, play slow, be good sports, etc. I believe I can train a new player and help bring them to the point where they are competitive. Mr. Reese taught me many good methods, as Randy taught him. Mr. Reese added his own ideas, and I have also added my own ideas.
At the beginning level for these players, I believe coaching is really the gift of TIME. Giving our time to help coordinate tournaments, and motivating the kids as best we can.
As a player, I am learning, just like all our kids. After the latest tournament, I'm probably somewhere between 1000-1100. Which means I still make some stupid mistakes. It would rank me THIRD on our chess team. Also, it is difficult to improve much more; my job keeps me very busy. I travel for work, and its about all I can do to carve out the 2 hours per week for the chess class at LDMS, and the USCF games on Thu nights, the tournaments on the weekends, etc. So, there is a limit to how much I can help our kids. I try my best, but I am limited by both skill and time.
THEREFORE, when a player gets around the 800-900 level, and IF they have the interest and the dedication to take their game farther, I strongly recommend additional instruction. For that instruction, I recommend VICA (Vaja International Chess Academy). I am proud to consider VICA is a partner to the LDMS Knights.
As you know, Reid and Evan have received coaching from Ashish Vaja. Not only is Ashish one of the top few players in WI, he is also a great instructor. He comes once per week for an hour to teach Reid and Evan some of the finer points. Though Ashish's training, as well as extra playing for the boys with the SW chess club on Thursday evenings and online, the boys have improved significantly, adding 300-400 to their ratings. When Ashish is here, the boys are 100% into the lessons. He talks with them like a friend, and offers them interesting and informative lessons every time. But it's not just about Ashish. Chris T is now working with Matt, from the VICA team. Chris and his Mom, Marijo, are very happy so far with Matt's instruction, and we have seen growth already in just a few weeks with Chris.
I also want to thank Mr. Reese, who continues to be a powerful influence in Muskego chess. Mr. Reese has done some great things with our kids, and always has a great deal to offer as an instructor and as President of the WSCA, an emerging chess association offering instruction and tournaments for WI scholastic players. Mr. Reese also works with Ashish - Ashish is a board member for the WSCA.
My next post will be about VICA and their team. I strongly recommend that our stronger players consider working with VICA.

Remaining Chess Events for 08-09 Season

With the chess season winding down, there are still a couple of major events to keep on your calendar!!!

• Apr 3,4,5 – Supernationals IV- Nashville, TN- This is the BIG ONE! So far, Reid, Evan, Kolt and Chris T. are going. Please see Mr. Seghers, we are looking for both K-5 Open players (unlimited rating) and K-5 Under 900 players (USCF rating must be under 900 or unrated). Reid and Kolt are partners for the Bughouse tournament and Evan and Chris, and the four of them are playing as a team for K-6 Blitz.
• Apr 18, 19 - WSCF Wisconsin State Championships – Wisconsin Dells – Kalahari Resort – The Seghers family will be out of town this weekend most likely, but What a great way to end the WSCF season! Chess at a Water Park! Looking for one or more of the parents to lead the chess team this weekend.
• April 26 - Ronald Reagan tournament - New Berlin - This tournament is held by the WSCA, and information will be available ASAP.
• May 9 - Future Stars of Chess - Muskego Mill Valley - Mr. Reese is holding his annual Mill Valley tournament. Lots of fun, lots of trophies. Let's bring him some great participation! Click here for details.
• July 10-12 - USCF Junior Open - Milwaukee Marriott West - This is a huge annual tournament for junior chess players. There are three sections based on age: Under 21, Under 15, Under 11. Click here for details.
• August 2009 (TBD) - 2009 Muskego Barn Blitz - We will be having a Blitz tournament in our barn. There will be a K6, K12 and Parents/Friends Division. Between rounds, players and parents can cool off in the pool, or take a paddle boat ride. Details to come!

Knights are State Champions

The Knights of Lake Denoon are now the State elemetary school Chess Champions! 415 players from all around Wisconsin traveled to Oshkosh to compete in several divisions including K-5, K-8, JV and Varsity.

Congratulations to our K-5 team of Reid, Evan, Brian, Brady, Chris, Kolt, Josh, Rachel and Zeke, who won the state championship this weekend in Oshkosh! Trophy winners were Reid, Evan and Brian. In K-8, Jacob played alone and beat three very highly rated players.

Lake Denoon won the "traveling cup" which will have our school name on it, and will be displayed until next year, at Lake Denoon Middle School!

Lake Denoon Library Adding Chess Books

Anybody recommend any good chess books? I am compiling a list for the LDMS library. I have about 20 books on it so far. Included are: (with comments by a different coach and blog author)

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Chess– GM Patrick Wolff - Don’t let the title fool you! This is an excellent book for beginners over the age of 10 (youngsters would have to be helped by an older reader – it written for adult-level readers). It covers not only how to play, but many of the same tips I give my students. Good for students up to the 1400 level! The final third of the book is more advanced and can be put away for later (after doing books in Fundamentals) This book is widely distributed.
Chess Workbook for Children - Todd Bardwick - excellent workbook at a young beginner level. (read the Chessville review)
Winning Chess Puzzles for Kids - Jeff Coakley - I would think that if a youngster went through Bardwick's book and then this one, it would be about as good a start as could be imagined. Chess puzzles are a great way to learn tactics... and tactics are critical for beginning and intermediate players...
Square One – Bruce Pandolfini – A book to teach young beginners how to play.
Comprehensive Chess Course, Vol I - GM Lev Alburt - Teaches you how to play with some great basic problems and concepts. Alburt's series is based on the official Soviet training method! Can sometimes be purchased with Vol II.

State Scholastic Championship Update

State Scholastic Championship Update

The following LDMS players are registered for the State Scholastic. All are 5th graders in K-5 scholastic, except Jacob Glumm who is K-8 scholastic. Update 3/18- welcome Zeke!
1. Reid Seghers K-5
2. Evan Seghers K-5
3. Kolt Otterbacher K-5
4. Joshua Bartz K-5
5. Chris Tillson K-5
6. Brian Schroeder K-5
7. Brady Megal K-5
8. Rachel Gomoll K-5
9. Zeke Baker K-5
10. Jacob Glumm K-8

Most people are staying at the Comfort Suites in Oshkosh I believe. Seghers family is arriving on Fri evening around 6. Mark has a coaches meeting at 9pm. Everyone should plan on arriving to Gruenhagen Hall around 8:30am. We have a team room, please let me know if you need location. Email has been sent out.

Coming up Roses Again at Rose Glen

Congratulations again to the Lake Denoon Knights 5th graders, who rocked Rose Glen, scoring 16 out of a possible 20 points and winning one of the tougher K-6 divisions we've faced with several players over 1000 rating, and several more over 700.

Reid took first place individually in K-6, going 5-0 and edging out the top seed, Sarfaras.
Kolt, Josh and ChrisT also played on our four-person K-6 team. Three of the team finished in the top 8, and all four in the top 18, in the 68-player division.

New tournament journeyman Jacob Glumm was our lone K-8 participant, taking 6th place and just missing a trophy. Jacob has been playing online, and is improving on a daily basis!

Way to go Lake Denoon Knights! You are having a great year.

State Championship Details for Defending Co-Champs

Please see details below for the state championship next weekend in Oshkosh WI. Most parents are staying at the Comfort Suites in Oshkosh right off 41. 400 South Koeller Street , Oshkosh, WI, US, 54902 Phone: (920) 230-7378. Dorm rooms are also available right at the Gruenhagen center, for either $35 or $25, details below.
Below are tournament details. Just RSVP to me via email (Please do not register on your own) and I will register your child. You can pay me at the event. Please RSVP... Remember, many of our kids are last year's (co) defending state champions! This year it would be fun to try to win it on our own! The kids are on a great run, and not only is this a memorable tournament for them, it is a heck of a lot of fun.

2009 WISCONSIN SCHOLASTIC CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS - DETAILS
March 21-22

The Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Championship is a six-section event open to any Wisconsin high school, middle school, junior high school or elementary school team or individual. Players of all abilities are encouraged to participate.
Please note that USCF membership is not required for this event nor is it USCF rated. USCF ratings will be used for pairing purposes if the player has one. The Junior Varsity, K-8 and K-5 sections will play six rounds. LDMS will have a K-5 and K-8 team.

Game Times: Junior Varsity, K-8 and K-5

Saturday:
Round 1 - 9:30 - Please be there by 830 if you can! We are staying overnight on Fri nite, or you can choose to drive early Sat. Please make sure to FEED your child between 11 and 1145. Limit sugar intake (the corresponding "crash" can affect a child mentally during the longer games). Protein is recommended.
Round 2 - Noon
Round 3 - 2:30 - I recommend a small snack between round 3 and 4, to maintain energy until dinner time!
Round 4 - 5:00 - Expect to be back to the hotel around 7 or 730- remember our kids need to play slow! We can order pizza back to the hotel pool area (this worked GREAT last time), or go somewhere. The Red Robin is nearby.

Sunday:
Round 5 - 9:00
Round 6 - 12:30- Games should be done around 230, then the awards at 3-ish... they're pretty quick. Should get back to Milwaukee by 6 or 630 I would guess.

Evan Ties 2100

Evan tied a 2100-rated player at the Southwest Chess club last night in Franklin. Way to go Evan!

In other news (like way back in tiny print next to the softball scores), Mr. Seghers beat a 1228. I had quit playing tournaments for a short time, but I realized that was silly. If these kids can put it all on the line, then I can too. My goal is to get back over 1200 this year, and add 150 points to my rating every year (which means in 10 years of course I will be the next World champion). AHHHhahhahahahahahah....

It's the State Scholastic Championship!

The big one (with clickable links): Mar 21st – 22nd - 2009 Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Championships – USCF – This is a very important USCF scholastic tournament- and you don't need to be USCF registered!! See above link for details. There is a K-5 and a K-8 division. Outside of the Nationals, this is the most important tournament of the year! There are 6 games played over two days, Saturday and Sunday. Games are played in Oshkosh, at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Gruenhagen Hall. Please RSVP- we will be staying at the Comfort Suites in Oshkosh, there is a nice pool there and whirlpool, kids pool, free breakfast, etc! PLEASE RSVP!!!!

LDMS Fifth Graders Best in State

Congratulations to Lake Denoon Middle School Fifth Graders who won the 5th Grade Championship for the Annual WSCF Grade Level tournament yesterday!

One of the biggest tournaments of the year, the annual Grade Level tournament allows players to play against other players in their grade. The team of Reid, Evan, Chris, Jason, Kolt, Brian, Rachel, Josh and Zeke beat out prestigious University School and their amazing young Master Sasha (who swept the field at 5-0) by a mere half-point. Reid also took home a trophy for 5th place in individual, 5th grade.

Congratulations also to Jacob, who took home the third place trophy for 8th grade! Willa also participated in the crowded 6th grade section and won 2 out of her 4 games.

Great job Lake Denoon Knights!!!

Interesting little puzzle today

look to the right...

Chess Classes are on THURSDAYS from now on

Weekly Chess Class is now to be held on THURSDAYS after school, 3-4pm in room 419 (same time and location as before). We WILL MEET THIS THURSDAY 3/5. I can take two kids home, please let me know if you need a ride. Thanks.

NEED RSVP FAST for GRADE LEVEL (updated)

This Saturday March 7th is the important WISCONSIN GRADE LEVEL tournament.
In this tournament, a kid competes against ONLY KIDS IN THEIR SAME GRADE. Last year, the Mill Valley (Muskego) Fourth Graders took home the first place trophy, and Gregory Reese Jr (now at Bay Lane) took the first place trophy.

This year, we have a great shot at winning the FIFTH GRADE title with many of those same players, and a few new faces! Kids not in fifth grade such as Jacob and Willa have also registered! Some parents have not RSVP'ed for the tournament yet.

So far, we have registered (updated Tue Mar 3)

• BrianSchroeder (5)
• ChrisTillson (5)
• EvanSeghers (5)
• JasonMarkowski (5)
• KoltOtterbacher (5)
• RachelGomoll (5)
• ReidSeghers (5)
• JoshBartz (5)
• JacobGlumm (8)
• WillaTsao (6)
• ZekeBaker (5)

This lineup gives us a good shot to win the wisconsin fifth grade title, but we'd be even better with a few more participants. Please RSVP... the price just goes up more and more the longer you wait... This tournament is located at the amazing Marion Center on 3195 S. Superior St., across from Lake Michigan. We will be sharing a team room with other Muskego Schools, and the Father of Muskego Chess, Mr. Reese. This is an exciting, unforgettable annual event.

LDMS K6ers Rock New Berlin

New Berlin Open K-6 Champs


Yesterday, Feb 28, The LDMS Knights fifth-graders took home another FIRST PLACE trophy in K-6 in a very crowded K-6 field in New Berlin at Elmwood! Our kids are really getting it done this year! Also, Muskego had a great showing... about 30 kids from 3 schools were represented at the New Berlin Open- WOW~!!

Playing for the first place Knights were Chris T, Kolt, Rachel, Zeke, Brady, Josh and Brian. Zeke and Brady took a first-round bye. Chris T and Kolt went 5-1 to take home trophies and lead the team to a tight victory, won in tie-breakers!

LDMS also took second place in a sparse K-9 field- on that team was Jacob, Reid and Evan.