Wednesday, September 21, 2011

UIL Invitational Chess Puzzle Solving


Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the Science Spectrum

Sections: K-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12 Grades

Entry fee is only $5!

On-site registration: 9:00 am-12:15 pm | Competition: 12:30 pm-1:00 pm

Awesome chess prizes for the winners in each section!

Info: SPICE 806-742-7742 or email SPICE@ttu.edu

Please register and send Entry Blank and Fees to TTU-SPICE send to: SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080.

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Entry Form 9-24-11- UIL: Please PRINT all information and make check/money order to TTU-SPICE

Name: ____________________ Phone: (_____) _______School___________
Address: _______________________ City/State: __________ Zip:_________
Email: ________________________ DOB: __________Section___________

8th “Get Smart! Play Chess!” Open



8th “Get Smart! Play Chess!” Open
Saturday, September 24, 2011

A 4 Round Swiss USCF Rated Tournament (Game/30)

Event Site: Science Spectrum 2579 S. Loop 289, Lubbock, TX

Contact Info: 806-742-7742 E-mail: Spice@ttu.edu

Description of Tournament: An open tournament for all players. USCF membership required.
Registration: On-site registration and check in 8:30am-10:00am. All players must check in by
10:15am. Late arrival will receive a ½ point bye for the first round. Chess boards and sets
provided, bring clock.

Round schedule: 10:30am - 12:00pm - 1:30pm and 3:00pm.

Entry Fee: $15 by 9/16, $20 by 9/22; after or onsite $25. K-12 or TTU students $15. Entry fee includes access to the museum OR one free IMAX movie.

Prizes: 1st $125 2nd $75 3rd $25Top U-2000 $50 Top U-1600 $50.
All prizes are based on 20 paid entries.

Please send Entry Blank and Entry Fee to Susan Polgar Foundation at 6923 Indiana Ave. #154 Lubbock, TX 79413.

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9-24-11 Open Entry Form: Please PRINT all information and make check to Susan Polgar Foundation.

Name: ___________________________Phone: (_____)______________
Address: ___________________ City/State:________________ Zip:_____
Email:__________________________________DOB:_______________
USCF ID# and expiration date:__________ USCF Rating (if any) ___________
Sibling Team_______ Parent/Child Team______ Student/Coach Team_______
Amount paid_________Check#______Cash_______ Bye request R1 R2 R3 R4

8th “Get Smart! Play Chess!”



8th “Get Smart! Play Chess!”
Fall Scholastic Chess Championship
Saturday, September 24, 2011

A 4 Round Swiss System Tournament (Game/30)

Event Site: Science Spectrum, 2579 S. Loop 289 Lubbock, TX
Contact Info: 806-742-7742 E-mail: Spice@ttu.edu

Description of Tournament: A USCF rated Individual and Team Scholastic Championship
Games are played in five sections: Primary (K-2), Elementary (K-5), Middle School (K-8), High School (K-12) and Novice section K-12 (no USCF membership required). There is a total of 30 minutes maximum per player per game.

On-site registration and check in 8:30am-9:30am. All players must check in by 9:45am. Later arrival will receive a ½ point bye for the first round.

Round schedule: 10:15am -11:30am-1:15pm and 2:30pm

UIL Invitational Puzzle-Solving at 12:30pm.

Entry Fees: $10 received by 9/16; $15 received by 9/22, or on site $20. A valid USCF membership required in all sections, except Novice K-12. It can be obtained at www.uschess.org or onsite on 9/24 until 10am. The entry for the UIL Puzzle Solving is $5.

Prizes: Trophies for top 3 finishers in each section. Trophies to top 3 school teams in each section.

Special valuable chess prizes to the top overall finisher in each section sponsored by the Susan Polgar Foundation! Team prizes are based on the top 3 individual scores from the same school within the same section. Also special trophy for top Sibling, top Parent/Child and top Coach/Student teams. Prize giving ceremony will be held shortly after the end of the last game which is around 3:45pm.

Chess boards and sets will be provided. Bring a chess clock if you have one.

Please register and send Entry Blank and Fees to TTU-SPICE send to: SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080. Additional information on www.spice.ttu.edu

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Entry Form 9-24-11: Please PRINT all information and make check/money order to TTU-SPICE

Name: ___________________ Phone: (_____) __________School_______
Address: _____________________ City/State: ____________ Zip:_______
Email: ___________________________ DOB: ________Section________
USCF Rating (if any) ____USCF ID#:___ Amount Enclosed (No cash, please) $__
Sibling Team_Parent/Child Team_ Student/Coach Team_Bye request R1 R2 R3 R4

Do not violate the Opening Principles of Chess


Los 5 principios básicos de la apertura – No rompas estos principios

No rompas estos principios

http://www.clasesdeajedrez.net/2011/09/21/principos-basicos-apertura/

Susan Polgar

Avalanche Journal

Aquí están todos los principios de apertura que todos los jugadores principiantes e intermedios deberían seguir.

1. Controlar el centro!
El centro del tablero incluye las casillas e4, d4, e5, and d5. Cuando comienza una partida, hay que poner peones en el centro y ocupar la mayor cantidad de casillas posible.

2. Desarrollar las piezas lo más antes posible.!
Saca tus caballos y tus alfiles. Esto debe ser hecho en las primeras 6 a 7 movidas, antes de que intentes darle jaque mate a tu rival.

3. Enroca lo más antes posible!!
Mantener a tu rey protegida es esencial para evitar perder rápido. No te olvides, si te tu rey esta descubierto, te va a costar ganar. Después de enrocar, es importante conectar las torres desarrollando a tu dama

4. Mantener tus piezas defendidas!
No dejes tus piezas colgando, o sea sin protección. Cada pieza que tenes es valiosa, así que no olvides protegerlas. Proteger significa que si tu rival captura, podrás recapturarlo.

5. Divertirte, gana con finesa y perder con dignidad!
Esta es mi lema en el ajedrez. Primero y ante de todo, el ajedrez debe ser divertido. A veces se pierde y a veces se gana, pero es parte del juego. Cuando se gana, sé un caballero, se respetuoso y no burles de tu rival. Cuando pierdas, se mas caballero aun, dale la mano y felicítalo. Esto a la larga, te llenara de buenas amistades.

Do not violate the Opening Principles of Chess
Susan Polgar
Avalanche Journal

Here are my power principles of chess, something which all beginners and novice players should follow:

1. Control the Center!

The center of the board includes the squares e4, d4, e5, and d5. When you start a game, place your pawns in the center to occupy and control as many of these squares as you can. Location, location, location!

2. Develop Your Pieces as Soon as Possible!

Get your Knights and Bishops out right away. This should be done before you try to checkmate your opponent, some time in the first 6 or 7 moves if possible.

3. Castle as Soon as Possible!

Castle at the very first chance you have in order to keep your king safe. Remember, you can’t win if your king isn’t safe and you get checkmated first. So don’t forget to castle! Then after you castle, connect your rooks by developing your queen.

4. Keep Your Pieces Protected!

Don't leave your pieces hanging without protection. Each and every piece you have is very valuable, so don't forget to protect them. Protecting means if your opponent can take your piece, then you can take your opponent's piece.

5. Have Fun and Win with Grace, Lose with Dignity!

This is my motto in chess. First and foremost, chess should be fun. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, it’s all part of the game. When you win, be a good sport and don’t trash talk or make fun of your opponent. When you lose, be an even better sport and not a sore loser. Shake hands and congratulate your opponent. This will go a long way toward making good friends.

A continuación, se puede ver qué sucede cuando no se respetan los principios mencionados.:

Tarrasch, Siegbert – Mieses, Jacques [C10]

Match Game 3, Berlin 1916

1.d4 e6 2.e4 d5 Esta es la apertura Francesa

3.Cc3 dxe4 4.Cxe4 Cd7 5.Cf3 Cgf6 6.Ad3 Ae7 7.0-0 Cxe4 8.Axe4 Cf6 9.Ad3 Hasta aquí todo es normal, en esta posición las negras deberían enrocar.

9…b6? Un error critico de las negras. Es imprescindible enrocar lo más temprano posible. Las negras pagaran caro por este error, miremos como las blancas se aprovechan.

10.Ce5! Las negras se encuentran en un problema serio. Si desarrolla su Alfil a b7, las blancas jugaran Ab5y las negras no podrán enrocar. Mieses se da cuenta de esto y decide enrocarse, aunque ya es muy tarde y Tarrasch logra sacar ventaja.

10…0-0 si10…Ab7 11.Ab5+

11.Ac6 Una Buena jugada! Veremos porque brevemente.

11…Dd6 si 11…Dd7 12.Df3 Ab7 13.Cxe7+ Dxe7 14.Dxb7+-; 11…De8 Esta variante rara es la mejor par alas negras 12.Cxe7+ Dxe7 13.Df3 Tb8 14.Dg3 Las blancas tienen una ventaja posicional fuerte con la pareja de alfil apuntando al enroque del rey negro.

12.Df3! Otra Buena jugada! Las blancas amenazan un jaque descubierto con Nxe7+ (descubriendo el ataque destapan la dama de f3 contra la Torre negra en a8.)

12…Ad7 La única jugada. 12…Ab7 13.Cxe7+ Dxe7 14.Dxb7y las negras se encuentran con una pieza de menos.

13.Cxe7+ Porque las blancas cambian un caballo active y bueno por un alfil negro malo. La respuesta es que las blancas ven una clavada mortal para la jugada siguiente. Sin buena razón este cambio es malo.

13…Dxe7 14.Ag5! Amenazando 15.De4! Cxe4 16.Axe7. Las negras no tienen manera de salir de la clavada.

14…Tac8 15.Tfe1 Agregando otro pieza a la acción, para tener un ataque ganador es necesario traer todas las piezas en juego 15.De4 hubiese sido menos preciso para las blancas puesto que 15…Cxe4 16.Axe7 Tfe8 17.Axe4 Txe7 +=

15…Tfe8 si 15…c5 16.Dh3 h6 17.Axh6 gxh6 (17…c4 18.Axg7 Axg7 19.Dg3+ Rh8 20.Dh4+ Rg7 21.Dg5+ Rh8 22.Dh6+ Rg8 23.Ae5) 18.Dxh6 cxd4 19.Dg5+ (19.Te5? Tc5) 19…Rh8 20.Te4 y las negras deben entregar a su dama para evitar el jaque mate.

16.Dh3! Estas jugada crea otra amenaza. Puesto por la clavada del caballo, el peón h7 esta vulnerable. Las blancas combinan la presión contar el peón h7 con el Alfil de D3 y Dh3; mientras tanto el alfil de g5 está atacando al caballo de f6 que es el único defensor de h7.

16…Dd6? La posición de las negras es muy crítica. Esta jugada incluso empeora todo 16…h6 17.Axh6 gxh6 18.Dxh6 Df8 19.Dxf6; 16…g6 17.Dh4 Rg7 18.Te4!; 16…e5 17.Axf6 Axh3 (17…Dxf6 18.Dxd7; 17…gxf6 18.Dxh7+ Rf8 19.Dh8#) 18.Axe7 Txe7 19.gxh3; 16…c5 17.Axh7+ Rf8 18.Ae4 Rg8

17.Axf6 Eliminado al protector de h7

17…gxf6 18.Dh6! Las negras piensan sacarle el escape a f8 y luego e7, con el rey cortado. La siguiente jugada es muy instructiva, cuando estas al ataque no hay que dejar que tu rival se escape.

18…f5 si 18…Dxd4 19.Axh7+ Rh8 20.Ag6+ Rg8 21.Dh7+ Rf8 22.Dxf7#

19.Te3 Acercando la torre a la acción, y sacrificando el peón de d4. Mientras tanto, las piezas negras no están coordinadas para defender al rey.

19…Dxd4 si 19…f6 20.Tg3+ Rf7 21.Dg7#; 19…Rh8 20.Th3 Rg8 21.Tg3+

20.c3 Atacando la reina, obligada a defender a la casilla g7, próximamente se encontrar sin casillas. Yo prefiero Tg3, puesto que ataca al rey. 20…Rh8 Ahora jugaría 21.c3 transponiendo a lo que sucedió en la partida. 21…De5 22.f4 Ahora la dama no tiene casillas para defender a g7. Las negras rinden
1-0

Resumen:

Que aprendimos de esta partida?
1. No rompas con los principios de la apertura. Asegúrate de enrocar lo más antes posible, las negras no lo hicieron en la jugada nueve y pagaron caro.
2. Cuando atacas, utiliza tus piezas, acercando a la torre al ataque las blancas ganaron

Articulo Original – GM Susan Polgar

Monday, September 19, 2011

SPICE Cup 2011 Scholastic Chess Championship


SPICE Cup 2011 Scholastic Chess Championship
Saturday, October 22
A 4 Round Swiss System Rated Tournament (Game/30)

Event Site: TTU Student Union Building, Lubbock, TX
Contact Info: 806-742-7742 E-mail: Spice@ttu.edu

Description of Tournament: Games are played in one section: K-12. There is a total of 30 minutes maximum per player per game.

On-site registration and check in 9-10am. All players must check in by 10:15am.

Space is limited to the first 50 entries.

Round schedule:
Round Start time Round Start time
1 10:30 AM 3 1:30 PM
2 11:45 PM 4 2:45 PM

Entry Fee: $10 received by 10/14, $15 on site on 10/22.

Prizes: Trophies for top 3 finishers K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grades. Trophies to top school teams in each grade section. Team prizes are based on the top 3 individual scores from the same school, within the same grade section.

Please send Entry Blank and Fees to TTU-SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080

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Entry Form: Please PRINT all information and make check / money order to TTU-SPICE.
Name: _________________ Phone: (_____) ____________School___________
Address: _____________________ City/State:__________ Zip:______________
Email:__________________________ DOB: _____________Section_________
USCF Rating (if any) ____USCF ID#:_______ Amount Enclosed (No cash, please) $___

Super Saturday SPICE Fun Chess Classes


October 29 – November 19, 2011
Two levels: Novice and Intermediate

Class dates: October 29 & November 5, 12 and 19 (4 sessions)
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Saturdays at TTU’s Doak Hall – Room 119

Instruction will be provided by members of the nationally ranked Texas Tech Knight Raider Chess Team, based on Grandmaster Susan Polgar’s very popular and highly effective chess curriculum and direct guidance. Focus will be on chess tactics and UIL puzzle-solving.

Registration fee: $79 by October 22, after add $20 late fee.

Please send registration form to: Texas Tech University, SPICE, Box 45080, Lubbock, TX 79409.

For information, please go to: www.spice.ttu.edu or email spice@ttu.edu or call 806-742-7742.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

2011 SPICE Cup Amateur FIDE Rated Open


Information about the 2011 SPICE Cup Invitational

2011 SPICE Cup Amateur FIDE Rated Open
October 21-23, 2011

A 6 Round Swiss System Tournament
Event Site: Texas Tech University (SUB) Lubbock, TX
Contact Info: 806-742-7742 E-mail: Spice@ttu.edu

Description of Tournament: A USCF and FIDE rated Individual Chess Tournament. Games are played in one section. Open to all ages, limited to players rated 1600 USCF (and above) and all FIDE rated below 2200.

Time control: 60 minutes per player with 30 second increment per move, starting the first move.
On-site registration: 2:30pm -4:00pm on October 21. All players must check in by 4:30pm. Bring clock if you have one! No byes in the final two rounds.

Round schedule:

October 21 Round 1: 5pm
October 22 Round 2: 10am Round 3: 2pm Round 4: 6pm
October 23 Round 5: 10am Round 6: 2pm

Entry Fees: Players with FIDE Rating $25, without FIDE rating $40 received by 10/16, $25 more on site. A valid USCF membership required. Registration is limited to the first 50 entries!

Prizes: Prize fund $750 based on 30 paid entries. 1st $250 2nd $150 3rd $100 4th $150 5th $100.

Prize giving ceremony will be held shortly after the end of the last game which is around 6pm.

Please send Entry Blank and Fees to: Susan Polgar Foundation, 6923 Indiana Avenue #154 Lubbock, TX 79413

Additional information on www.SPICE.ttu.edu

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FIDE Open Entry Form: Please PRINT all information and make check/money order to SPF.
Name: ___________________ Phone: (___) ______School________
Address: _____________________ City/State: ________ Zip:______
Email: __________________________ DOB: ____Section________
USCF Rating___USCF ID#:___FIDE#___Amount enclosed __Check#___

Monday, September 5, 2011

Special game analysis


There were many fighting and exciting games is the Round 3 of the World Cup. Sergey Shipov annotates the most interesting fragments.

The main sensation occurred at the first table. Despite all the achievements of Judit Polgar, people still tend to underestimate her. Which, of course, benefits her at the board...

J. Polgar — S. Karjakin

If the Black’s bishop arrives to b7, White’s hopes are gone, so she needs to hurry.

20.e6! Bxe6 21.Bxc7

The White’s bishop breaks to the queenside pawns. In order to defend Black need to solve a tricky study. Sergey did not succeed.

21...f6?

Insufficient is 21...Bd7 22.Bb8 Bc6 23.Nc3 (23.Re1 Kd8 24.Bxa7 Kc7) 23...Bxf3 24.gxf3 a6 25.Nd5 Bd8 26.Bc7!

The only solution is to bring the h8-rook to the 6th rank: 21...Rh6! 22.Bb8 a6 23.Ba7 Bd8 24.Nc3 Bd7 25.Nd5 Re6 with equality.

22.Bb8 a6 23.Ba7

I did not understand why the opponents ignored the following simple line: 23.Bc7!? b5 24.Nxc5! with the idea 24…Bxc5? 25.Rd8+, and Black loses an exchange.

23...Bd8 24.Nc3!

Here Karjakin began to think again, but it was already too late.

24...Kf7

Black probably miscalculated the following line: 24...Ne7 25.Na4 Nc8, missing an unexpected blow 26.Bxb6! Nxb6 27.Nxb6 Bxb6 28.Rd6 with a healthy extra pawn for White.

25.Na4 b5 26.Nxc5 Bc8

The magic of the bishop pair could create an impression that Black survives even without a pawn, but Polgar can cast the anti-spell.

27.cxb5 axb5 28.a4!

Simple and strong.

28...bxa4 29.bxa4 Re8 30.Rb1 g5?!

The last inaccuracy. More stubborn is 30...Re2!, and White cannot win by straightforward means: 31.Rb8 Nd6 32.Bb6 (32.Nxh4?! Re1+ 33.Kh2 Bc7!) 32...Bxb6 33.Rxb6 Ne4 34.Nxe4 Rxe4 35.a5 Ra4 — the a5-pawn is stopped.

31.Bb6! Be7 32.a5 Bxc5 33.Bxc5

The opposite-colored bishops don’t affect the evaluation here because of the passed pawn.

33...Re6 34.Rb6 Ng7

Or 34...Rxb6 35.Bxb6 Ke6 36.Bd8!

35.Be3 Nf5 36.Rb8 Re8

Here is a nice line: 36...Nxe3 37.Rxc8 Nd5 38.Rc5 Nf4 39.Rxg5! fxg5 40.Nxg5+ Ke7 41.Nxe6 Nxe6 42.a6 Nc7 43.a7 Kd7 44.g4, and White wins.

37.Ra8 Bb7

Black probably loses after 37...Bd7 38.Rxe8 (38.Ra7!?) 38...Kxe8 39.a6 Nxe3 40.fxe3 as well.

38.Ra7 Re7 39.Bc5 Rd7 40.a6 Bc6 41.Rxd7+ Bxd7

Black easily survives, if we remove the knights from the board, but it is not going to happen.

42.Nd2! Ke6 43.Nc4 Bc6 44.Nb6 Nd6 45.Bxd6 Kxd6 46.a7 Kc7 47.a8Q Bxa8 48.Nxa8+ Kb7 49.f4!

And the king collects Black’s pawns. Black resigns.

More analysis here.