Tuesday, March 1, 2011

CHESS PUZZLES for my chess students - FROM A RECENT GAME!

Taken from a USCF QUICK CHESS rated Game played last night! - Chess Coach Sean.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Here is a nice two move checkmate puzzle for the less experienced players out there... or a two mover for all lovers of chess! Black to play and win.

PUZZLE I

COACH SEAN



COACH KEN

So this was move 35 and my previous play had been 34. ...Nh4 setting up a threat. Ken played 35. d3 - d4 and now you have the diagrammed position up above. Black to play and win in two moves.

PUZZLE II

Sometimes we have to use tactics to not only change a position to our advantage but to defuse the explosive potential of our opponent's forces. So we now have the position from this game from back on move twenty three when Ken had played 23. Qf3. My move was cute! (I might be biased though...)

COACH SEAN


COACH KEN

Okay... our hint is puzzle one! Black to play and to gain an advantage... win a pawn and radically change the structure of this game! Enjoy - Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

CHESS DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Tuesday the 22nd of February, 2011 WATCH OUT FOR KEN!

Ken usually gives me a real tough time at the chess board - but this game was a bit more straight forward than our previous encounters. Although I do have to admit - after his first move as black during this game I had to sink into about a five minute think!

Enjoy the game - Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

One key to "RAPID FIRE CHESS IMPROVEMENT"...

One key to "RAPID FIRE CHESS IMPROVEMENT" ... is to play a lot. As a "weak" expert in the low 2000's I am trying to first become a rock solid expert and then a master. Okay - we'll see if it happens or not! But my main point is that if I do not play regularly then I will never achieve those goals.

I have to go to tournaments and risk it all in order to learn the lessons that I need to learn to be able to get the experience that I need to progress. Will my rating go up? You bet... but will it also go down as well? You bet! It is all part of the process though - ratings go up and ratings go down. But do I love the game irrespective? You bet I do! Right now I am playing in two to three chess tournaments a week. To gain the glory I have to go and play and what's more I love to play chess. Irrespective of ratings and results.

Here is a recent game of mine - not a steady rock solid performance but definitely an interesting battle. Both players could improve upon the plays they made during this game. I am glad to have been able to create such a game with my good friend Dustin.

I hope you enjoy this game - or chess art as I like to call it! So feel free to leave any comments that you might have about it up here on the blog. Dustin is a good chess friend and as you can tell he has his own and unique ideas about how to approach the opening. He also likes chess fireworks or as we call them - TACTICS!

- Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

ASCF Tournament Schedule Winter Spring 2011

Here is the ASCF's tournament schedule for the Winter Spring Semester of Chess - there is quite the line up of Scholastic events as you can see! - Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

Tournament Banner
Latest Results.
Tournaments
Event Date Location More Info
Friday Night Scholastic #6 Feb 11 11 Chess Emporium Click Here
Mirage Feb 19 11 Teleos Preparatory Academy Click Here
The Clash Feb 26 11 Mesa High School Click Here
Susan Polgar National Open (BOYS) Mar 5 to 6 11 Bogle Jr. High School Click Here
Susan Polgar National Open (Girls) Mar 5 to 6 11 Bogle Jr. High School Click Here
Susan P. Bughouse Championship Mar 5 11 Bogle Jr High School Click Here
Susan P. Puzzle Solving Challenge Mar 5 11 Bogle Jr High School Click Here
Susan P. Blitz Championship Mar 6 11 Bogle Jr High School Click Here
Friday Night Scholastic #7 Mar 11 11 Chess Emporium Click Here
Friday Night Scholastic #8 Mar 18 11 Chess Emporium Click Here
Kyrene District Qualifier Mar 26 11 Kyrene Altadena Middle School Click Here
Scottsdale District Qualifier Apr 2 11 Mountainside Middle School Click Here
Chandler District Qualifier Apr 9 11 Chandler TBA Click Here
Paradise Valley District Qualifier Apr 16 11 Mountain Trail Middle School Click Here
Friday Night Scholastic #9 Apr 22 11 Chess Emporium Click Here
Governors Cup Apr 30 to May 1 11 TBA Click Here
Friday Night Scholastic #10 May 6 11 Chess Emporium Click Here
Elementary Nationals May 6 to 8 11 Dallas, TX Click Here
Twister May 14 11 Kyrene Altadena Middle School Click Here



Friday Night Scholastic #6
Location: Chess Emporium
Address: 10801 North 32nd Street, Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Dates: Feb 11 11
Schedule:
Three Consecutive Games Starting at 6:30pm
Type of Tournament: 3 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Feb 9
$21.50 if received by Feb 10
$24.50 at the door.
**ASCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 4 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Mirage
Location: Teleos Preparatory Academy
Address: 1401 East Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Dates: Feb 19 11
Schedule:
Rd 1 10:00am
Rd 2 11:15am
Rd 3 1:00pm
Rd 4 2:10pm
Type of Tournament: 4 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Feb 16
$21.50 if received by Feb 17
$24.50 if received by Feb 18
$28.50 at the door.
**ASCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 4 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
The Clash
Location: Mesa High School
Address: 1630 East Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85204
Dates: Feb 26 11
Schedule:
Rd 1 10:00am
Rd 2 11:15am
Rd 3 1:00pm
Rd 4 2:10pm
Type of Tournament: 4 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Feb 23
$21.50 if received by Feb 24
$24.50 if received by Feb 25
$28.50 at the door.
**ASCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 4 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Susan Polgar National Open (BOYS)

Susan Polgar Schedule of Events
Location: Bogle Jr. High School
Address: 1600 West Queen Creek Road, Chandler, AZ 85248-3003
Dates: Mar 5 to 6 11
Schedule:
Sat
Rd 1 9:00am
Rd 2 11:00am
Rd 3 1:00pm
Rd 4 3:00pm
Sun
Rd 5 9:00am
Rd 6 11:30am
Rd 7 1:30pm

Type of Tournament: 7 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$55.00 if received by 02/19/2010
$59.00 if received by 02/27/2010
$65.00 if received by 03/03/2010
$69.00 After.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/45 (45 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Susan Polgar National Open (Girls)

Susan Polgar Schedule of Events
Location: Bogle Jr. High School
Address: 1600 West Queen Creek Road, Chandler, AZ 85248-3003
Dates: Mar 5 to 6 11
Schedule:
Sat
Rd 1 9:00am
Rd 2 11:00am
Rd 3 1:00pm
Rd 4 3:00pm

Sun
Rd 5 9:00am
Rd 6 11:30am
Rd 7 1:30pm
Type of Tournament: 7 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$55.00 if received by 02/19/2010
$59.00 if received by 02/27/2010
$65.00 if received by 03/03/2010
$69.00 After.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/45 (45 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Susan P. Bughouse Championship
Location: Bogle Jr High School
Address: 1600 West Queen Creek Road, Chandler, AZ 85248-3003
Dates: Mar 5 11
Schedule:

Type of Tournament: 5 round Swiss paired bughouse tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds! Registration is per team, not per player.
Cost:
$20.00 if received by Feb 26
$25.00 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/5 (5 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Susan P. Puzzle Solving Challenge
Location: Bogle Jr High School
Address: 1600 West Queen Creek Road, Chandler, AZ 85248-3003
Dates: Mar 5 11
Schedule:

Type of Tournament: Have your child test their critical thinking skills in the puzzle solving challenge. Solve puzzles, have fun, all at the same time!
Cost:
$15.00 if received by Feb 26
$20.00 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: There is no time control!
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Susan P. Blitz Championship
Location: Bogle Jr High School
Address: 1600 West Queen Creek Road, Chandler, AZ 85248-3003
Dates: Mar 6 11
Schedule:

Type of Tournament: 5 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$20.00 if received by Feb 27
$25.00 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/5 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Friday Night Scholastic #7
Location: Chess Emporium
Address: 10801 North 32nd Street, Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Dates: Mar 11 11
Schedule:
Three Consecutive Games Starting at 6:30pm
Type of Tournament: 3 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Mar 9
$21.50 if received by Mar 10
$24.50 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Friday Night Scholastic #8
Location: Chess Emporium
Address: 10801 North 32nd Street, Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Dates: Mar 18 11
Schedule:
Three Consecutive Games Starting at 6:30pm
Type of Tournament: 3 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Mar 16
$21.50 if received by Mar 17
$24.50 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Kyrene District Qualifier
Location: Kyrene Altadena Middle School
Address: 14620 S. Desert Foothills Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85048
Dates: Mar 26 11
Schedule:
Rd 1 9:30am
Rd 2 10:45am
Rd 3 11:55am
Rd 4 1:30pm
Rd 5 2:40pm
Type of Tournament: 5 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Mar 23
$21.50 if received by Mar 24
$24.50 if received by Mar 25
$28.50 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Scottsdale District Qualifier
Location: Mountainside Middle School
Address: 11256 N. 128th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Dates: Apr 2 11
Schedule:
Rd 1 9:30am
Rd 2 10:45am
Rd 3 11:55am
Rd 4 1:30pm
Rd 5 2:40pm
Type of Tournament: 5 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Mar 30
$21.50 if received by Mar 31
$24.50 if received by Apr 1
$28.50 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Chandler District Qualifier
Location: Chandler TBA
Address: Chandler TBA
Dates: Apr 9 11
Schedule:
Rd 1 9:30am
Rd 2 10:45am
Rd 3 11:55am
Rd 4 1:30pm
Rd 5 2:40pm
Type of Tournament: 5 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Apr 6
$21.50 if received by Apr 7
$24.50 if received by Apr 8
$28.50 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Paradise Valley District Qualifier
Location: Mountain Trail Middle School
Address: 2323 East Mountain Gate Pass, Phoenix, AZ 85024
Dates: Apr 16 11
Schedule:
Rd 1 9:30am
Rd 2 10:45am
Rd 3 11:55am
Rd 4 1:30pm
Rd 5 2:40pm
Type of Tournament: 5 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Apr 13
$21.50 if received by Apr 14
$24.50 if received by Apr 15
$28.50 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Friday Night Scholastic #9
Location: Chess Emporium
Address: 10801 North 32nd Street, Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Dates: Apr 22 11
Schedule:
Three Consecutive Games Starting at 6:30pm
Type of Tournament: 3 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by Apr 20
$21.50 if received by Apr 21
$24.50 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Governors Cup
Location: TBA
Address: TBA
Dates: Apr 30 to May 1 11
Schedule:
Sat
Rd 1 9:00am
Rd 2 11:00am
Rd 3 1:00pm
Rd 4 3:00pm
Rd 5 5:00pm
Sun
Rd 6 9:00am
Rd 7 11:00am
Rd 8 1:00pm
Rd 9 3:00pm
Type of Tournament: 9 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$49.00 if received by Apr 27
$54.00 if received by Apr 28
$59.00 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/40 (40 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Friday Night Scholastic #10
Location: Chess Emporium
Address: 10801 North 32nd Street, Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Dates: May 6 11
Schedule:
Three Consecutive Rounds Starting at 6:30pm
Type of Tournament: 3 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by May 4
$21.50 if received by May 5
$24.50 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Elementary Nationals
Location: Dallas, TX
Address:
Dates: May 6 to 8 11
Schedule:

Type of Tournament: 7 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$0.00 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP
Twister
Location: Kyrene Altadena Middle School
Address: 14620 S. Desert Foothills Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85048
Dates: May 14 11
Schedule:
Rd 1 10:00am
Rd 2 11:15am
Rd 3 1:00pm
Rd 4 2:10pm
Type of Tournament: 4 round Swiss tournament. There is no elimination in a Swiss tournament. Expect your child to play all the rounds!
Cost:
$18.50 if received by May 11
$21.50 if received by May 12
$24.50 if received by May 13
$28.50 at the door.
**ASCF or USCF membership is required. ASCF membership may be obtained or renewed by including an additional $28.85 which includes 6 issues of The Chess Scholar magazine.
Time Control: Game/30 (30 minutes total for each player)
Please pre-register!!! Use Our Secure Website Registration Form
TOP

Monday, January 3, 2011

CONGRATULATIONS TO PRATEEK!

Prateek took 16th place out of 105 players in the U1700 section of the NORTH AMERICAN OPEN! His final score of 5 from 7 even took him into the top finishers circle and his rating is now 1695... so he will not be playing in that section for much longer! Time to move up! Congratulations lad, chess well played all the way!

- Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

Chess is less painful and a lot more fun than Boxing...


DEFEATED BY A CHESS STUDENT!

Sadly this is what happens to all chess coaches someday... just ask Robby Adamson!

I did not take very many photos as the NORTH AMERICAN OPEN - but plenty of other folks sure did! Thank you Radhika! A prize photo - I was caught a bit off guard and surprised when Prateek turned our fighting pose into a knockout punch pose! Someday he - as will several of my other students - knock me out OTB! Which is rather less painful than a real knock-out!!! When those days come along - I will gladly tip my King. Being checkmated by former students is just their way of saying "Job well done, Coach!". Of course I will attempt to put that off for as long as possible! : )

- Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

Monday, December 6, 2010