The Chess Table
Check out our project for ‘Campus Beautification Week’ at our school. To beautify our campus, KLA Chess Club made a chess table for the lunch area.
Showdown #8
Congratulations to Emilio, Jhonah and Aaron for taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in our recent Showdown #8 Tournament. The tournament was a 10 round swiss G/30.
Pair | Player Name |Total|Round|Round|Round|Round|Round|Round|Round|Round|Round|Round|
Num | USCF ID / Rtg (Pre->Post) | Pts | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 | EMILIO LOPEZ |8.0 |W 10|W 6|W 4|W 12|W 2|L 5|L 3|W 8|W 7|W 11|
CA | 15187057 / R: 462P18-> 647 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 465P18-> 649 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 | JHONAH MYKIELA BERNARDINO |7.5 |W 11|L 10|D 8|W 5|L 1|W 12|W 6|W 3|W 4|W 7|
CA | 15604335 / R: 482P9 -> 607P19 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 484P9 -> 610P19 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 | AARON OMAR ANGUIANO |6.0 |W 12|U |L 6|W 8|W 10|W 7|W 1|L 2|W 5|L 4|
CA | 15382187 / R: 578P9 -> 584P18 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 580P9 -> 586P18 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 | ALEX ANDREW JIMENEZ MARTINEZ |5.5 |W 14|W 8|L 1|U |W 12|W 6|D 5|L 7|L 2|W 3|
CA | 15224061 / R: 679P21-> 619 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 676P21-> 618 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 | PABLO ABRAHAM GONZALEZ GOLDBAUM |5.5 |W 15|U |W 10|L 2|W 6|W 1|D 4|W 12|L 3|L 9|
CA | 15513462 / R: 396P3 -> 481P12 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 399P3 -> 484P12 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 | JOSE MANUEL SANTACRUZ |5.0 |W 13|L 1|W 3|W 9|L 5|L 4|L 2|D 11|D 8|W 12|
CA | 15591138 / R: 360P5 -> 404P15 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 364P5 -> 406P15 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 | KUIPPO OLANNIE LEON PALMER |5.0 |L 8|L 12|W 14|W 11|W 13|L 3|W 10|W 4|L 1|L 2|
CA | 15591117 / R: 431P5 -> 401P15 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 442P5 -> 406P15 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 | JAVIER EMMANUEL JAVIER EMMANUEL |5.0 |W 7|L 4|D 2|L 3|W 9|W 10|W 11|L 1|D 6|L 13|
CA | 15223973 / R: 377P23-> 393 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 377P23-> 394 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 | JR JAMES OLIVER CALDWELL |4.0 |H |L 11|U |L 6|L 8|U |H |W 10|W 13|W 5|
CA | 15223988 / R: 303P11-> 305P17 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 302P11-> 305P17 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 | PATRICK LAMAR WHITE |3.5 |L 1|W 2|L 5|W 13|L 3|L 8|L 7|L 9|W 12|H |
CA | 15591082 / R: 184P5 -> 253P14 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 189P5 -> 257P14 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 | DAVID OROZCO |3.5 |L 2|W 9|L 12|L 7|H |W 13|L 8|D 6|H |L 1|
CA | 15591102 / R: Unrated-> 245P8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: Unrated-> 248P8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 | KENNETH MUNOZ |3.0 |L 3|W 7|W 11|L 1|L 4|L 2|W 13|L 5|L 10|L 6|
CA | 15224040 / R: 436P24-> 348 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 440P24-> 351 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 | ANGEL GUERRERO |2.0 |L 6|H |D 15|L 10|L 7|L 11|L 12|L 14|L 9|W 8|
CA | 15591076 / R: Unrated-> 107P9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: Unrated-> 107P9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 | MARSHAWN SATCHELL |1.5 |L 4|U |L 7|U |H |U |U |W 13|U |U |
CA | 15591097 / R: 108P5 -> 148P8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: 110P5 -> 150P8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 | DEONTE LAVEIL RUNNELLS |1.0 |L 5|H |D 13|U |U |U |U |U |U |U |
CA | 15591123 / R: Unrated-> 102P2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q: Unrated-> 102P2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Round 9: Analyzing Opening Principles
We will continue to reinforce our basic opening principles:
* Control the center
*Develop minor pieces (knights/bishops)
*Getting castled
*Avoid moving the same piece twice (unless necessary)
* Developing the least active piece
* Keeping the tension on your opponent
Endgame Practice Part 2
We are continuing our practice of providing a rationale for our moves in the endgame. The key focus is to write a logical explanation for the first move made which will lead to forced moves by our opponent.
The activity is 3 parts:
1. Solving puzzles by thinking and writing
2. Using the pieces to play out the moves to check our thinking
3. Using the computer as feedback
Incorporating Writing into “Pandolfini’s Puzzles”
Part of learning chess, especially the endgame, is providing a thought process to making moves. Often times younger players move without putting much thought into it. This week, we are incorporating the writing process to our learning by providing a rationale for the moves in the endgame.
In the assignment below (see link), students practice endgame puzzles, but must provide a rationale for their first move. Students learn that by thinking out a logical and correct first move will provide a progression of successful moves. By writing down our rationale, we gain a deeper understanding of the endgame.
Selected Game Annotations From Showdown #8
Some games from KLA Showdown #8, our in-class G/30 weekly tournaments. Our class has come a long way since the beginning of the year where many of our players were just learning how the pieces move.
Our point of emphasis is still to develop pieces in the opening to be better prepared for a strong middle game.
3rd Annual KLA Spring Open
The KLA Chess Club will hold its 3rd Annual Spring Open chess tournament on Saturday, June 6th in the KLA auditorium. The tournament will host several divisions for players from beginner to experienced. Players must be members of the USCF, but free *club level memberships will be given to all those who participate.
*Club level memberships allow players to play in scholastic K-12 JTP events hosted by scholastic chess clubs. Players wishing to play in tournaments outside of K-12 JTP events must purchase a membership from the USCF.
Three Sections: 5 rounds, Game/30; D5
Open: Above 1000 (conditional play-ups considered).
Intermediate: U1000
Novice: Under U500/Unrated
*Trophies/Medals for top finishers and all participants
Check-In: 8:30-9am
Approx Round Times: 9:15am, 10:30am, 12pm, 1:15pm & 2:30pm
Games: Are USCF rated (both quick and regular ratings will be affected)
Cost: $5
Update Feb 26, 2015
Congratulations to Emilio Lopez for taking place at the Lone Kings Scholastic Tournament, on Feb 21. Emilio went a perfect 3/3 to take home the trophy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pair | Player Name |Total|Round|Round|Round|Round|
Num | USCF ID / Rtg (Pre->Post) | Pts | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 | EMILIO LOPEZ |3.0 |* |W 3|W 2|B 4|
CA | 15187057 / R: 421P15-> 464P17 | | | | | |
| Q: 425P15-> 467P17 | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2 | ANDREW BRAULIO AVILA |2.0 |L 1|W 3|* |W 4|
CA | 15547088 / R: Unrated-> 357P3 | | | | | |
| Q: Unrated-> 358P3 | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3 | STEPHANY MENDOZA |0.5 |L 1|* |L 2|D 4|
CA | 15574444 / R: 104P6 -> 107P9 | | | | | |
| Q: 104P6 -> 107P9 | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
4 | NATHAN THUNDER |0.5 |U 1|D 3|L 2|* |
CA | 15675026 / R: Unrated-> 102P2 | | | | | |
| Q: Unrated-> 102P2 | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out our latest blog post on developing pieces.
Results from 2014 Winter Scholastic
Saturday, Dec 13th- Keiller Leadership Academy
The San Diego Scholastic Chess League hosted its first annual Winter Scholastic Tournament. 23 players from all over San Diego County participated in the event and featured scholastic players from the 4S-Ranch Library Chess Club and the KLA Chess Club.
Sections included:
OPEN (Average rating of 926)
Top finishers:
1 | DHRUV WADHWA |3.5 |W 4|L 3|W 6|D 2|W 5| CA | 15211702 / R: 987 -> 965 | | | | | | | | Q: 964 -> 940 | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 | SAHIL WADHWA |3.0 |W 5|L 4|D 3|D 1|W 6| CA | 15211697 / R: 1165 ->1115 | | | | | | | | Q: 1126 ->1078 | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 | AARON W CHIZHIK |3.0 |W 6|W 1|D 2|D 5|L 4| CA | 15198497 / R: 948 -> 962 | | | | | | | | Q: 890 -> 919 | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 | NEEL KUMAR |3.0 |L 1|W 2|L 5|W 6|W 3| CA | 15457820 / R: 826P14-> 918P19 | | | | | | | | Q: 819P14-> 899P19 | | | | | | |
* 3 way tie for 2nd place with 3.0 points
Novice (Average rating of 503)
Top finishers:
1 | JESSE RICHARD GILILLAND VII |5.0 |W 4|W 2|W 6|W 7|W 3| CA | 15491550 / R: 645P6 -> 783P11 | | | | | | | | Q: 650P6 -> 790P11 | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 | ARAV WATWANI |4.0 |W 11|L 1|W 3|W 4|W 8| CA | 15462107 / R: 641P12-> 679P17 | | | | | | | | Q: 637P12-> 680P17 | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 | ANVIT WATWANI |3.0 |W 8|W 10|L 2|W 11|L 1| CA | 15365451 / R: 447P17-> 480P22 | | | | | | | | Q: 453P17-> 485P22 | | | | | | |
Beginner (UNR)
Pair | Player Name |Total|Round|Round|Round|Round|
Num | USCF ID / Rtg (Pre->Post) | Pts | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 | DOMINIC DE LA TORRE |4.0 |W 4|W 2|W 3|W 2|
CA | 15513477 / R: 638P4 -> 715P8 | | | | | |
| Q: 640P4 -> 718P8 | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2 | JUSTIN SUN |2.0 |W 3|L 1|W 4|L 1|
CA | 15487856 / R: 169P13-> 361P17 | | | | | |
| Q: 172P13-> 364P17 | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3 | JHONAH BERNADINO |1.0 |L 2|W 4|L 1|L 4|
CA | 15604335 / R: 844P2 -> 473P6 | | | | | |
| Q: 848P2 -> 476P6 | | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
4 | MACIE BAUTISTA |1.0 |L 1|L 3|L 2|W 3|
CA | 15604341 / R: Unrated-> 269P4 | | | | | |
| Q: Unrated-> 271P4 | | | | | |
Full Results can be found here
Congratulations to all players. We look forward to help building chess in the San Diego Scholastic Community.
Game Annotations
Now that we’ve started class tournaments, it’s time to start learning from our games. It’s great to see our new players start out and notating. Learning from games and mistakes is not only important in chess, but in life as well. The process of going back to reflect and learn is important for improvement.
We are definitely a work in progress, but we are also looking forward to improving
Click here for the latest games
Interesting chess blog: 5 Weirdest Chess Variants
Cougar's Gambit 