FUN WITH CHESS for the SUMMER of 2010

Are you looking for a fun and safe chess camp for our young Scholastic chess player this Summer? If so then look no further than Chess Coach Sean's Summer Chess Camps being held down at the Chess Emporium!

Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) Sicilian Dragon Chess Camp (1-day) #1

• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Student Game Analysis
• Sicilian Dragon!

Beginning:	June 26, 2010
Ending:	June 26, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	7 plus hours of Great chess fun, learning and games! Early drop off (8am) and late pickup (5pm) are available.

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Coach Sean Tobin's (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (5-day) #1

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	June 28, 2010
Ending:	July 2, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$239.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!

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Coach Sean Tobin's (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-day) #1

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	June 28, 2010
Ending:	June 28, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!

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Coach Sean Tobin's (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-day) #1

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	June 29, 2010
Ending:	June 29, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!

Coach Sean Tobin's (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (3-day) #1

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	June 29, 2010
Ending:	July 1, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$159.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ www.chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin's (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-day) #1

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	June 30, 2010
Ending:	June 30, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ www.chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin's (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-day) #1

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 1, 2010
Ending:	July 1, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ www.chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin's (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-day) #1

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 2, 2010
Ending:	July 2, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ wwww.Chessemporium.com

Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-Day) #2

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 12, 2010
Ending:	July 12, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ www.Chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (5-day) #2

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 12, 2010
Ending:	July 16, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$239.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ www.chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-Day) #2

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 13, 2010
Ending:	July 13, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ www.chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (3-day) #2

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 13, 2010
Ending:	July 15, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$159.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ www.chessemporium.com

Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-Day) #2

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 14, 2010
Ending:	July 14, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-Day) #2

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 15, 2010
Ending:	July 15, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) Summer Chess Camp (1-Day) #2

• Chess Puzzles/ Game Analysis
• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 16, 2010
Ending:	July 16, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	In this Chess Camp Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to improve their chess understanding by receiving lessons from chess coach Sean Tobin. We will work on calculation, pattern recognition and tournament etiquette. All the while with a special emphasis on having FUN!
Register Online @ chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) CHESS CAMP FOR LONG GAME CHAMPS Chess Camp (4-day)

• Rated G/120 Tournament
• Student Game Analysis
• Blitz and Bughouse

Beginning:	July 19, 2010
Ending:	July 22, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$159.00
Description:	I will cover the techniques that young chess players will need to learn in order for them to effectively compete in events that feature longer time controls. Early drop-off: 8am. Late pickup: 5pm.
Register Online @ chessemporium.com

Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) Sicilian Dragon Chess Camp (1-day) #2

• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Student Game Analysis
• Sicilian Dragon!

Beginning:	July 25, 2010
Ending:	July 25, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	7 plus hours of Great chess fun, learning and games! Early dropoff (8am) and late pickup (5pm) are available.
Register Online @ www.chessemporium.com

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Coach Sean Tobin (1998 USCF) KING of the K.I.D.S. CHESS CAMP (1-day)

• Rated G/30 Tournament
• Student Game Analysis
• 6 Round Thematic Blitz Tournament

Beginning:	July 26, 2010
Ending:	July 26, 2010
Times:	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:	$69.00
Description:	7 plus hours of Great chess fun, learning and games! Early drop off (8am) and late pickup (5pm) are available.
Register Online @ www.chessemporium.com

No matter what let us make sure that our players stay sharp. Work in some quality chess time at home during this Summer or while on vacation. For chess instruction please consider my chess camps as well!

Have a great Summer everyone and see you this Fall!
Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

GATA KAMSKY - The 2010 US CHESS CHAMPION!

So the 2010 edition of the U.S. Chess Championship came down to the following tie break game! Kamsky had 25 minutes on his clock against Yuri Shulman who had 6o minutes - both with a five seconds delay. Talk about an exciting finish to this year's event!

Odd time control, eh? It certainly is - but this was a tie break game to determine who alone would claim the title of United States Chess Champion as both players were tied on 6.5 each. This format of tie break is known as an "Armegodden" game - where the player of the White pieces gets more time and MUST win the game to win the match while the player of the Black pieces will get the "draw odds" which is to say that if they should draw it is treated as a win.

This year both players had to place a secret bid - the amount of time that they would be willing to accept as black - in order to get the Black pieces. The draw odds is a significant advantage! So both players wanted the Black pieces for this game... but Kamsky's bid was far lower than Shulman's and so he won the Black pieces.

Please make note - this is not a "normal" tournament chess game but a tie break. Normal chess would never feature such rules and the only reason why anyone would use such a tie break format is to balance the need for the event to finish up in a timely manner while still allowing both players to battle it out for first - winning it upon their own merits.

Here now is this exciting game!

In the final position Gata Kamsky achieved a well known draw - that neither player felt the need to play out as it was too obvious for both of them. Gata managed to do this with only seconds remaining upon his chess clock! Next time - don't bid so low Gata!

This is the second time that Gata Kamsky has become US Champion - the last time was 19 years ago when he was still a teenager! Congratulations Gata Kamsky!

- Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

Could GATA KAMSKY once again be the CHESS CHAMPION OF THE UNITED STATES?

Here is an important game that may allow him to become the US Chess Champ! This would be a long time since he last held the title - way back in 1991! He has to get through the playoff game with Yuri Shulman on the morrow though! Good luck Gata - go get him!

Enjoy this game - Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

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!

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.

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!!

QUEEN SAC!

7. hxg3 Bxg3 checkmate!

A very instructive game.

Attention passengers - Flight 0-1 checkmate has arrived! Thank you for flying CHESS!

FINAL POSITION

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