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

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

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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.

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.

One key to "RAPID FIRE CHESS IMPROVEMENT"... that is real chess improvement and not some gimmick!

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.

ASCF TOURNAMENT TEAM CHESS SCHEDULE - Winter/Spring 2011!

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

CHESS HUMOR IN ADVERTISING!

CHESS HUMOR IN ADVERTISING!

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Thursday, December 2nd, 2010. FAB TIME!

Caruana pulls ahead! With a full point lead the question now becomes can he keep it going full steam over the course of the final two rounds?

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 The Fabulous Fabiano Curuana continues to impress all!

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 The Fabulous Fabiano Curuana continues to impress all!

It was back during the World Open held in 2001 and I was in the grip of a serious chess fever... I not only played in the main event but I also played in several of the side events as well. It was during the 5th round of the WORLD OPEN TUESDAY ACTION that I got paired with a small boy with big glasses and a teddy bear on "board". I thought to myself - easy win. Well it wasn't! In fact I didn't win at all and was very lucky to draw. Back in 2001 this boy was rated 1788 before this event but post he was 1828 rated. What is his rating nowadays?

The fabulous Fabiano Curuana is now FIDE rated 2700 plus - which makes him a Super Grandmaster! While it would be intellectual dishonest of me to claim that I had drawn a Super Grandmaster I can in all honesty say that I played an all time great player way back when he was just starting off and before he later became a top notch chess competitor. Of course this story would sound even better if I had won that game way back when. At least to my ears!

For the cross table to this event please visit:

http://main.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?200107035990-12601265

One of my big joys as a chess coach is working with youngsters... but when I look at children now I cannot help but to ask myself the following question "How good will this boy/girl be in a year? In two years? What is their chess potential?" These questions are ever in the back of my mind after having played in an event held on July 3rd, 2001. When I look at some of my students I know that some of them will make master - but it will take time, energy and effort. Will they be able to put forth their best effort? I know several of my students can - with one well on his way there now. (Tony Yim!)

I also look at ALL of my kids and know that they can at least become as good or skilled a player as me. But will I get the chance to help them achieve this? Will their Parents understand just how useful an educational tool Scholastic chess is and sign them up for chess tournaments? Do they have the time and inclination? Always such questions are in my mind... two of my star students that I work with right now I will make every effort to help them achieve as much as they can with my help. But once they do so it will be my hope that they continue on with another chess coach who can take them further should I not be up to the task. They both have that much potential. A tier down I have several more students who too will make that jump but first they must cross the 1300 ASCF barrier and that can be s stumbling block for some Scholastic players. But not if I am their coach - we'll cross it sooner than later!