GLAD TO BE BACK AT MISSION MONTESSORI as your ASCF CHESS COACH!

Hello Parents!

We are going to have a lot of fun this Semester - you, your child (or in some cases children) and your humble chess coach - all while getting the various benefits of being engaged by the royal game of Kings. Chess not only can teach us life lessons but it can also help us to think more logically and clearly about our actions and about what we are about to do - before we do something! Chess helps us to think about the effects of our actions, to plan long term, to be patient and how to focus - among many, many, many other benefits. Of course you already knew this - hence why you have signed up your youngster for their School Enrichment Program Chess Club at Mission Montessori Academy.

Feel free to scroll through the previous postings on this website - you will find many lessons listed here. This Semester I intend to update this blog on a much more regular basis. What will I be updating it with? The games of our players, with mini chess lesson for the both of you to review, with coverage of local ASCF chess tournaments and with Mission Montessori Chess Club news. It is my hope to not only keep you informed about what is happening at the club through my "email progress reports" and club news updates but through this blog as well. After all we are all once community.

The first email will have gone out by the end of this week. If you have any questions - as always for those Parents who have been with me for these past two years - you can contact me with the contact information that I have provided you with on previous occasions. For you new Parents who are visiting this website for the first time - Welcome aboard!

- Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

FUN WITH CHESS FOR 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 - WINS THE 2010 EDITION OF THE US CHESS CHAMPIONSHIOP!

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.

US CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP - Gata Kamsky may yet become Champ of the US!

Kamsky wins an important game!

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 players - nor by chess coach Sean!

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

0 - 1

Enjoy this blindfold game played by Henry and Coach Sean!

An interesting game! - Coach Sean.

My "FORK" Game - a fun game from a long time ago!

Tobin, Sean - Moore, Craig

2007.01.20, ECO: C84

A fun game played against a friend - a good way to pass some time! - Coach Sean.