All-Stars Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Oct. 30, 2018 The 2018-2019 Chess All-Stars are on their way to a successful year of chess learning and playing! We have several new chess players who are learning the rules of the game, and are developing their abilities to think carefully. It’s also great to see many returning All-Stars who are advancing their chess skills and strategies. I have a few exciting announcements to share with you. 1. The Chicago Chess Foundation (CCF) hosts monthly free tournaments for K-8 students. The first one is coming up on Sat. Nov. 10 at Gwendolyn Brooks High School. The way these tournaments work is that students will be able to play every round, whether they win or lose. In between rounds, I help students analyze their games (especially once they learn how to notate), and they can take a break. Each round typically lasts about an hour. After the final 5th round, the individual and team awards are determined by the total number of points. Players get 1 point for a win, a half-point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. Although many of the All-Stars are new to chess, the tournament allows beginners, and if you want your child to participate, I encourage them to give it a try. The Kindergarten to 4th grade sections are patient with new players as they learn. There will be another tournament in December and continuing in 2019. 2. Every Bateman chess player gets a gold membership to Chesskid.com. They can use this website for a variety of chess activities, including kid-friendly video lessons, workouts, and practice games. Family and homework should always come first, but the Chesskid memberships were paid for by school fundraising, and therefore should be used when possible. Your child’s username and password will be given to them soon. 3. You should have received a schedule of our Tue. and Thu. practices with the notice of acceptance in the All-Stars program. We also have Free Chess Fridays where students may come in at 7:30 for a little extra practice. These sessions are optional, but encouraged. Our schedule is available on the Bateman website Google calendar as well. Keep a lookout for ordering information of chess shirts in November. Please complete the attached permission slip by Tue. Nov. 6 if your child is planning to participate. Here are the details about the tournament: November 10th at at Brooks College Prep Academy 250 E. 111th Street (11100 South), at Martin Luther King Drive Schedule: Registration 8:30 - 9:30a.m. -All players must check-in at the tournament site by 9:30! Tournament 10:00a.m. - 3:15p.m. -Late arrivals will not be paired in the first round. Trophy Presentation 3:30p.m. (estimated) 5 Sections: Novice K-2, Novice 3-4, Novice 5-6, Novice 7-8, Advanced Unrated, no entry fee; Swiss-style, 5 rounds (est.), USCF standard tie-breaks Awards: Individual trophies to the top 7 in all sections. Team trophies to the top two teams in all sections. Team score calculated by top four scores in novice sections, top three scores in advanced. Behavior: Remember that you are representing yourself and your school. You are expected to follow the Blaze Ways and our Core Values wherever you go. Students must have their own transportation to and from the tournament. I am not allowed to give any students a ride. Parents are encouraged to stay at the tournament the whole time, but if necessary, they can drop off and pick up. Please be on time. Thank you for involving your child in this program. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact me at [email protected] or (773)534-5055. Sincerely, Mr. Geisler (Member: U.S. Chess Federation, Illinois Chess Association, Chicago Chess Foundation) Download Newsletter Download Permission Slip AS_2 Comments are closed.
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