Chess Team Update!!!

We had a good meeting on Monday from 3-4 and we are meeting again next Monday.

This Monday, we spent most of the class playing chess. I walked around to determine the various skill levels of the players on the team. This was very helpful.

Next Monday, we will be dividing the class into two sections. One section will focus on beginning concepts- movement of pieces, castling, etc. The other section will focus on advanced tactics. The key point to our players right now - DONT GET DISCOURAGED! Chess is a very complex game. Our sequence for the class is 1) learning the game, 2) Getting past the opening- many tricks and traps to learn, then 3) it's all about TACTICS- seeing what will happen if you move here, then they do that, etc., without moving the pieces.

RIDE SHARE: We have 1 opening in ride share after school- possibly more. Please let me know if there are 1) kids who would LIKE to attend chess class but need a ride, or 2) parents who can bring 1 or 2 kids home after class. This is greatly appreciated!!

Chess tournaments resume in NOVEMBER! The time is now to practice!!!

Thank you.

NO CHESS FOR LDMS at Port Washington

Due to competing priorities for LDMS Chess players (football!), we will not be attending the Port Washington WSCF event as a team. Thank you!
- Mr. Seghers

Port Washington this weekend!

Hello Chess Parents and Players,

While we had a tough go of things at the very difficult New Berlin Open last weekend, we had some good wins and ties. A big GIANT welcome to promising new tournament player Howard Tan!!! In his first tournament, a very difficult tournament against some of the top players in Wisconsin, Howard fought very hard and played very slowly and intelligently, earning a draw against a tough 900+ rated player! Howard "forked" his opponent's King and Rook, threatening both at once... when the player moved out of check, Howard took the rook to earn the draw!

This weekend there is a good WSCF (scholastic) tournament in Port Washington, WI. Here is the link again with information: Thomas Jefferson WSCF Tournament

This tournament is at Thomas Jefferson Middle School on 1403 Holden St. in Port Washington. There is a K-5 Division and a K-8 Division. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER by calling 414-379-7401 this week, or by emailing me at seghers@gmail.com - I will handle the team registration. I have to get kids registered by THURSDAY to save us $5 per kid. Advance registration is $10. Check-in from 7:45 to 8:45. Round 1 begins at 9:30 or before.

USCF vs. WSCF: We recommend that children begin their tournament play in a WSCF (Wisconsin, school vs. school) tournament rather than a USCF (US, open, all ages) tournament which tend to have tougher players overall. Then, once they are comfortable, they can expand their horizons and join USCF tournaments.

Chess club resumes next week Monday from 3-4pm in room 419. We have a parent who volunteered to give RIDES to children who may need one! Two spots open! In our next class, we will have open play for half of the class this time. We will also cover opening concepts.

Thank you!
Mark/Mr. Seghers

2008 Tournament Schedule!

Below are the tournaments we will attend for the rest of the year. This list is subject to CHANGE and discussion. This is just what I am thinking right now. Please call me at 262-679-4051 or email me at seghers@gmail.com if you would like to either register or if you have questions! - Mark Seghers

Oct 4 - This Saturday!
Hales Corners Challenge VIII
USCF Tournament- must be USCF Member- call/email me if you would like to register.
Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel
4747 S. Howell Avenue
Milwaukee 414-481-8000

Oct 11
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
WSCF
Port Washington
Map it!
Info

Nov 1
Holy Trinity Lutheran School
WSCF
Okachee
Map it!
Info

Nov 15
Goodrich Elementaray
WSCF
Milwaukee
Map it!

Nov 22
Assata High School
WSCF
Milwaukee
Map it!

Dec 6
Donges Bay Elementary School
WSCF
Mequon
Map it!

Dec 13
St. Thomas Moore High School
St. Frances
Map it!

Dec 20
Messmer High School
WSCF
Milwaukee
Map it!

LMDS Takes First at Museum

The Knights of LDMS Take Home First Place!

The team of Rachel Gomoll, Chris Tillson and Reid Seghers took first place at the Milwaukee Museum Tri-state Tournament (WSCF Open Section) this Saturday!
Reid and Chris took 3 points to take 5th and 10th. Rachel took 2 points to take 14th. Rachel beat the VERY tough Erik Rokni in the second round. Way to go Rachel!!!

Chess Points

Players in the the LDMS Chess Team will be able to earn (and occasionally lose) "chess points"... these points are earned by performing valuable chess-related activities. Below are some examples. Later in the year, students will be able to redeem their points for chess related prizes!

Example Point values
-5 = asked to sit out of class (third warning)
0 = very poor behavior in class (two warnings)
1 = notated game
not so good behavior in class (one warning)
2 = class attended, good behavior
notated tournament game
3 = tournament game won
class attended, great, interactive, helpful behavior
4 = prepared and taught short lesson in class
in tournament, beat player with >100 higher USCF rating

Team Play at LDMS

In the LDMS Chess Team, we are all teachers, and we are all students.

Our early classes have been great, and we have a nice mix of players experienced with chess tournaments, and others who have played chess but never in a tournament setting.

We have 22 kids signed up for the Chess Team, about half of them from the powerful Mill Valley program which was coached by Mr. Reese (now coach at Bay Lane).

In our second class, we played a team game. Above is the team who played the black pieces, studying and considering their next move. One team made a blunder and that was all it took! Several powerful lessons were revealed through this exercise.

The game of chess is an oracle which reveals itself through our focus and our attention. These discoveries lead to tactics, which lead to improvement.

Next week we will be focusing on chess notation and chess puzzles. We hope you will join us!

- Mr. Seghers