TOURNAMENT

WHAT: Play 4 or 5 games of chess against students from other schools, hang out with friends, eat pizza, have fun, compete as a team

WHEN Sat Dec 3 8:00 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Diamondhead Education Center in Burnsville - approach the building from Burnsville Parkway

WHO: Anyone can sign up, but I don't recommend it if your rating is not over 200.  I would really like to see the following 5th graders give it a try: Cavan, Simon, Logan, Lucia, Thomas. Our goal will be to get some experience and improve so that by May we have a chance to do well at the State Championship.

Thomas is signed up.

WHY: Have fun, improve at chess, get extra coaching (I will be there to coach you, but I cannot be in the playing area when you are competing.)

HOW DO I SIGN UP: Go to SchoolChess.org and sign up.

HOW much does it cost? It's about $24 plus about $5 or $6 for lunch

DO WE HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN?  If you think hard and have fun thinking, you have met my expectations. Round 1 will be difficult - you will be playing someone who is expected to win 3 games. For the rest of the day you will be paired against someone with a similar record.

Bring a chess set. Wear a mask (because of the extended time in close contact)

COACH'S TIPS

1. If you ever have a question or a concern during the tournament, raise your hand. An experienced high schooler or adult will answer your question.

2. You have a whole hour to complete your game. Use the time well. When it's your opponent's turn, you should be thinking.

3. If your game hasn't finished after 30 minutes, you will be given a chess clock with instruction how to use it. This will insure that the game is done on time. If a player runs out of time he loses.

4 Sit on your hands! By the time you pull your hand up to move, that move might not look so good. Never think with your hand dangling over the board - you might touch a piece and have to move it. Also, your hand will block a clear view of the board.

5. Be a good sport - win or lose, congratulate your opponent on a good game.

6. Why are some kids writing in a booklet? They're writing down their move so they can replay their game with their coach. I highly recommend this - especially in round 1. I'll bring pencils and paper.

7. When planning your move always figure out what your opponent is up to. Why did he make that last move? Where is it going next? Did he open a new path for some other piece with that last move?