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.