GECKOS CHESS: April 2010

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

PRATEEK, TOM, SPENCER & CHRIS - "ADVENTRURES AT THE GOVERNOR'S CUP 2010!"

GECKO'S PHOTO ESSAY from the 2010 Edition of the GOVERNOR'S CUP!

Congratulations to all four of our brave GECKOS chess players for taking on all comers at the 2010 Edition of the Governor's Cup! Prateek took 14th place in the K-6 CHAMP section with a fine score of 6.5 points. This was out of 162 players competing in this section - well done Prateek and good luck at the Nationals - SEE YOU THERE!

Enjoy the photos everyone!
YOUR KYRENE DE LAS BRISAS GECKOS CHESS COACH
Chess Coach Sean Tobin

WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES - ANAND versus TOPALOV!

GAMES 1 through 4 - Enjoy'em!

Here is game one with my commentary - fairly free of variations but fairly descriptive. Enjoy this annotated game - even if the wrong player did end up winning this game... from my perspective at least!

Enjoy games 2 and 3 - sans commentary!

In game three Anand elected for the Super Solid Slav - a wise choice after his Grunfeld debacle in game one.

The game given below is the product of the knowledge and artful chess imagination of IM MALCOLM PEIN of London Chess Center fame. To learn from this outstanding chess player all you have to do is to go visit their website at:

www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic.html

Any time he annotates a game I pay attention - and you should too!

Anand leads the match by the score of 2.5 to 1.5.
I know who I am rooting for - GO GET'EM ANAND!
- CHESS COACH SEAN TOBIN!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

OUR TWO GECKO CHESS HEROS at the "TYPHOON" - their photo essay!

My student Riley pays homage to his hero R. Nadal while I practice falling down!

Some of my other students that participated at the TYPHOON.

Peter and Bennett - of Cherokee holding their first place team trophy together - have won every 1st place team trophy in the K-3 CHAMP section of all tournaments that they have played together in. Unlike some of the other chess coaches out there I want my students to take their game as far as they care to - but not to the point where it becomes less than fun. I also do not give bogus advice about "They should always play up..." - while playing up is important so isn't being a kid and just having fun with your friends in the section that you should be playing in. On occasion playing up is good but long term and constantly playing up leads to students quitting chess as this creates entirely too much stress for most youngsters. I have more potential teams entering the K-3 CHAMP - one from BRISAS and one from SANTAN. I look forward to helping all of these players - and all of my players in general irrespective of whether or not they play tournament chess - to get the most out of chess while enjoying their engagement by this ancient and powerful learning tool. Chess is "Sugar coated competitive fun" for the mind!

Trevor versus Spencer.

Tom vs yet another opponent!

Spencer "reads" his opponent's reaction to the move.

Tallying the result.

Spencer's amazing Queen levitation trick!

Tom sees the threat and plays the best move - Castling for King Safety!

Spencer joins in on a group study session between rounds at the TYPHOON.

Tom in total concentration - even the flash of my camera went unnoticed by Tom!

I hope that you have enjoyed this photo essay
- Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

WEAK DIAGONALS and of BISHOPS & QUEENS!

This is a follow up lesson on our WEAK DIAGONALS and ANNOYING QUEEN CHECKS lesson. Enjoy!

Jason Bell versus Sean Tobin

DESCHUTES COUNTY CHESS CLUB 05 08 2006

JASON BELL VS SEAN TOBIN:

[Event:"Casual Chess Game"]
[Site:"Redmond Public Library; 827 SW Deschutes Avenue; Redmond OR. 97756"]
[Date:"05.08.2006"]
[White:"Bell, Jason"]
[Black:"Tobin, Sean"]
[Opening:"Saragossa Opening"]
[ECO:"A00"][NIC:"VO.12"]
[Time Control:"None used"]

1. c3

This is known as the Saragossa opening... not the best way to seize the center! Such an opening would not be played by our CHAMP PLAYERS - Prateek, Daniel or Chris!

1... e5

If given the opportunity Black/the second player should play as though he/she is at the helm of the White pieces! Plant that flag in the center of the board!

WHO IS PLAYING THE WHITE PIECES HERE?

2. d4

1. c3 was the "slow build up" to 2. d4. Not a bad strategy though. People can and do play the Saragossa opening to win and do so. This is just not the best way to make use of the initiative nor is it the best way to control the center.

2... d5

Gambit anyone?

3. Nf3 e4

The second player should grab some space now as otherwise he could just regret having offered the gambit pawn! The idea behind this move is to cramp Jason Bell's chess style! The pawn on e4 will create all sorts of problems for members of the opposing White Army.

4. Nfd2 Bd6

The second player looks to exploit the b8 to h2 dark diagonal. WHERE HAVE WE ALL SEEN THIS IDEA BEFORE - AHEM!

5. f3??

This move is now a terminal weakness that will result in the first player losing the game. The idea here was to dissolve the second player's center but overlooks black's control of the b8 to h2 diagonal. Can you find Chess Coach Sean's reply? : P

5... Qh4+

Ah-ha! THE POWER OF THE ANNOYING QUEEN CHECK - one of the best ways to take advantage of a really weak diagonal!! A move obviously overlooked by the first player. Now White is lost as his King is blocked in by his own pieces and can be attacked along the h4 to e1 diagonal with dire consequences. Dire consequences = checkmate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6. g3 BOX

BOX equals only move - you have just got to love those silly INFORMATOR CODES! When our King is in check we must either 1. Capture the offending piece; 2. Block the check or 3. Move away. Here only option two is available.

BLACK TO PLAY AND WIN

WHAT'S THE BEST MOVE?

6... Qxg3+!

THAT IS NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY - WAIT, ACTUALLY IT IS! Either piece could have made the capture on g3 but I - Chess Coach Sean - obviously wanted to deliver mate with the Bishop! Thus forcing option numeral uno!!