Full results of the 1st ever Lubbock Open can be found here.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Record chess tournament in town
FOX News covering the Lubbock Open Chess Championship. Click here to see the clip.
Around 110 players showed up for the 1st Annual Lubbock Open (more than 20 are female players). The SPF (and SPICE) signed up about 70 new USCF members. The media (local network TVs and newspapers) came to cover the event.
Lubbock Commissioner Ysidro Gutierrez is among the participants.
Another notable player is John Hawthorne (2330 FIDE, 2362 USCF), distinguished professorial Chair of philosophy at Oxford at Oxford University. We have 2 players over 2300, 1 over 2200 and a number of other strong players.
Lubbock Mayor David Miller attended the Opening Ceremony to welcome everyone. This is the largest and strongest ever open event in this city and we hope to grow bigger and stronger each year.
Friday, April 25, 2008
TTU announces Lubbock Open
April 25, 2008
Texas Tech University Announces Lubbock's First Open Chess Championship
Texas Tech University’s Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) announces the first Lubbock Open Chess Championship.
Written by Cory Chandler
Texas Tech University’s Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) announces the first Lubbock Open Chess Championship. The championship, beginning at 10 a.m. April 26 at Monterey High School, consists of five sections from scholastic through adult.
The U.S. Chess Federation will rate the event, and players as far as Amarillo and Midland will compete for the title of Lubbock’s chess champion.
Top finishers will win trophies and other prizes. Lubbock Mayor David Miller will welcome the players at 10:45 a.m. and open the tournament. Spectators are welcome.
Texas Tech’s Knight Raiders chess team is co-hosting the event.
Contact: Paul Truong, director of marketing, SPICE, Texas Tech University (806) 742-7742, or paul.truong@ttu.edu, or spice@ttu.edu.
Knight Raiders win 3 awards
The Texas Tech Knight Raiders won the following awards given during Arbor Day today:
1. Most Improved Organization of the Year (Overall)
2. Organization of the Year (Special Interest Category)
3. Advisor of the Year (Hal Karlsson, Special Interest Category)
Since the formation of the Knight Raiders in 2003, the club has won a total of 9 Student Organization Awards.
Congratulations to Dr. Hal Karlsson for his relentless commitment to the Knight Raiders and SPICE!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Chess Tips
The Power Principles of Chess
CONTROL THE CENTER!
What does this mean? The center consists of the squares e4, d4, e5 and d5. So this means when you start the game in the opening, place your pawns in the center to occupy and control it as much as you can.
DEVELOP YOUR PIECES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Get your Knights and Bishops out. This should be done before you try to checkmate your opponent.
CASTLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
The first chance you have, castle immediately to keep your King safe. Remember, you can’t win if your King is not safe and you get checkmated first. So don’t forget to castle! Then after you castle, connect your Rooks by developing your Queen.
KEEP YOUR PIECES PROTECTED!
Don’t leave your pieces hanging without protection. Each and every piece you have is very valuable, so don’t lose them.
HAVE LOTS OF FUN! WIN WITH GRACE, LOSE WITH DIGNITY!
First and foremost, chess should be fun. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That is 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.
These tips should be used together with my curriculum / training guide for teachers and parents. Click here to register for your FREE account on www.ChessDiscussion.com then click here to download your FREE copy of my curriculum / training guide.Good luck with your effort in introducing chess to young people!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Avalanche-Journal new weekly chess column
Head of Tech chess program begins column
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Story last updated at 4/20/2008 - 4:04 am
Welcome to my weekly chess column!
My name is Susan Polgar. I was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. I moved to the United States in 1994, and I lived in New York until August of last year when I relocated to Lubbock to join the Texas Tech family and the Lubbock community.
I am a professional chess player. More information about my work can be found through http://www.susanpolgar.com/.
Some of the highlights:
• Breaking the gender barrier to be the first woman ever to qualify for the Men's World Championship tournament.
• Breaking the gender barrier to become the first-ever woman to earn the title of Grandmaster.
• Winning four world championships and becoming the only chess player in history to win the triple-crown (which includes Blitz, Rapid and Classical time controls).
• Winning 10 Olympiad medals including five gold, four silver and one bronze.
I first visited Lubbock in the fall of 2005 as part of my national chess exhibition and lecture tour. Little did I know at the time that less than two years later I would call Lubbock home. My family and I absolutely love the city and region.
In 2006, I received an invitation to be the commencement speaker at the May 2007 TTU graduation ceremonies. At the ceremony, President Jon Whitmore announced SPICE (Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence), which has four main goals:
1. To put SPICE, Texas Tech University and Lubbock on the chess world map (more than 700 million people play chess worldwide).
2. To introduce chess as an educational tool in all local and regional Lubbock area schools as part of our outreach program, with the goal of going national and international.
3. To conduct research projects connecting chess and other important fields such as education, computers, medicine, psychology, math and writing.
4. To recruit talented chess players worldwide who want to combine their academic studies with continuing to study chess. We hope to be able to put together in the near future a championship-caliber chess team that could compete nationally and internationally for high honors.
Here is the full article.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
2008 Lubbock Open Chess Championship
2008 Lubbock Open Chess Championship
Saturday, April 26, 2008
A 4 Round Swiss System Tournament (Game/30)
Event Site: Monterey High School (Indiana and 50th) Lubbock, TX
Contact Info: 806-742-7742
E-mail: Susan.Polgar@ttu.edu or Chess@ttu.edu
Description of Tournament: A USCF rated Open event.There is a total of 30 minutes maximum per player per game.
On-site registration and check in 9am-10:30am.
All players must check in by 10:30am.
Round schedule:
Round - Start time
1 - 11:00 AM
2 - 1:00 PM
3 - 2:30 PM
4 - 4:00 PM
Entry Fee: $20 received by 4/18. After 4/18 or on site $30.
USCF membership required (available on site).
Prizes: Trophies to top 3 finishers. Cash prizes: $100-$75-$40, Top U-1600, Top U-1200, Top Unrated $40 each.All cash prizes are based on a minimum of 20 paid entries.
Please send Entry form and Fees to 6923 Indiana Ave. #154 Lubbock, TX 79413
Information about the scholastic sections can be seen here.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
SPICE Honored
April 15, 2008
SPICE Honored by City of Lubbock
Lubbock Mayor David Miller and the City of Lubbock recognized the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) Friday (April 10) for its exemplary efforts in bringing the international sport of chess to Lubbock and Texas Tech University.
Written by Ben Samples
Lubbock Mayor David Miller and the City of Lubbock recognized the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) Friday (April 10) for its exemplary efforts in bringing the international sport of chess to Lubbock and Texas Tech University.
SPICE, named after the institution’s director and chess Grandmaster Susan Polgar, specializes in chess education, research, technology and outreach.
"We are proud to receive this recognition from the City Council and Mayor David Miller, who has been a big supporter of SPICE right from the beginning," said Paul Truong, director of marketing for SPICE. "This means that we are making a positive impact in the community, especially for young people, and bringing pride to Texas Tech.
The center will host a Chess Summer Camp for Girls and the 5th Annual Susan Polgar National Invitation for Girls in late July, as well as the 2nd Annual SPICE Cup International Grandmaster Tournament in September, which is internationally recognized as the most prestigious chess event hosted in the U.S.
Polgar has won four women’s World Chess Championships, five Olympic gold medals, and is the only world champion in history to win the triple-crown (classical, blitz and rapid women’s world championships). At the age of 21, she was the first woman to earn the grandmaster title.
For more information on SPICE and Texas Tech, visit Susan Polgar’s blog: http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2007/05/spice-and-texas-tech.html or the SPICE Web site at: http://www.spice.ttu.edu
CONTACT: Paul Truong, director of marketing, SPICE, Texas Tech University (806) 742-7742, or paul.truong@ttu.edu
FREE SPICE Web Chess
Monday, April 14, 2008
Improve your chess with SPICE!
Starting from today, the SPICE (Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence at Texas Tech University) website will feature at least three (3) DAILY CHESS PUZZLES from easy, medium to hard.
You can solve the puzzles by moving the pieces right on the board. In addition, if you are stuck, hints are available at your fingertips.
Chess is 99% tactics! That is why this is perfect for new players, scholastic hopefuls, and even tournament players!
Click here to challenge your minds right now!
www.SPICE.ttu.edu
Special thanks to Shredder Chess and Jerry Perez for this cool new feature for the SPICE website!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
LHFSA at Texas Tech
A special event today at Texas Tech, organized by LHFSA, hosted by the English Department and assisted by the Knight Raiders and many others.
Dr. Jim Brink, our "Boss" at SPICE
Jerry Perez (one of the biggest supporters of SPICE and a ultimate Tech guy) and some of the young chess players in the Lubbock area - Each youngster received a free chess kit.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
SPICE recognition
Special recognition for SPICE by the city of Lubbock in Texas. This was presented by Mayor David Miller this morning at the City Council meeting in City Hall.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
You can help decide SPICE Cup 2008!
After an incredibly successful 2007 SPICE Cup, the dates for the 2008 SPICE Cup have been set. This prestigious event will take place on September 19-28, 2008 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. We are aiming at a category 14 event (not lower than category 13 and may even potentially reach category 15) which has an average FIDE rating of 2576 or higher.
I already sent out 8 invitations (not all have been accepted yet but they should be confirmed soon). There are 2 spots remaining. I want to do something different than the norm. I would like the readers of this blog and my http://www.chessdiscussion.com/ forum help decide the last 2 invitees.Which 2 players would you like to see receive the final 2 invitations. The rating range of these 2 players has to be at a minimum around 2525 with average of around 2575 for these 2 players.
It can be either two female players, two male players, or one of each gender. There is no guarantee that the players would accept the invitations. However, they would be the first to receive the final 2 invitations. You help decide! :) You can vote by posting here or by sending me an email at SusanPolgar@aol.com.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
USCF Press Release
US Chess Federation PRESS RELEASE – April 2, 2008
The United States Chess Federation (USCF) announces the 2008 U S Senior Championship to be held at the Marriott Hotel, Boca Raton, Florida from April 28 to May 3.
Concurrent with the Championship will be the Chess Collectors International (CCI) annual meeting. More than 150 world-famous chess sets will be on display. Also on display will be several sets from the world acclaimed “Dean Collection.” Dr. George Dean will be giving a talk on his collection, the evolution and historical significance of the chess pieces and some anecdotal tales about how he acquired some of the sets such as the world’s only two Farbage chess sets.,
Among scheduled events during this chess week, will be an auction of chess sets at the Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach. The auction will include worldwide participation over the Internet and eBAY. Information on the auction will be on the Galleries website www.agopb.com.
The closing banquet and awards presentations will be on Saturday, May 3rd. World Women’s Chess Champion Susan Polgar will be the featured speaker. Three new inductees to the US Chess Hall of Fame will be honored at the dinner.
CCI will be holding a "Chess Fair" with chess sets, chess books and chess ephemera for sale , OPEN and FREE TO THE PUBLIC, at the Marriott Hotel in Boca Raton on Friday, May 2d, from 1 to 3 PM
BANQUET AGENDA
Boca Marriott Hotel – Sat., May 3 @ 7:00pm,
Opening - Floyd Sarisohn, Don Schultz
Pledge of Allegiance - Joel Channing
New Hall of Famers - Al Lawrence
Special Awards USCF - Don Schultz
Senior Open Champion Presentation - Susan Polgar.
Special Awards CCI - Floyd Sarisohn
Closing Remarks - Susan Polgar
Music - Arun Bhagwat
For more information/reservations, please contact Donald Schultz at (561) 243 2932 or email him at chessdon@aol.com
Saturday, March 15, 2008
SPICE News
Tech chess champ honored for Women's History Month
World chess champion and Texas Tech employee Susan Polgar was honored during a Women's History Month celebration hosted by New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr.
Polgar, director of Texas Tech's Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence and coach of the Knight Raiders chess team, was one of six distinguished honorees at the event, also hosted by the Women's City Club of New York and the New York League of Women's Voters.
Source: Avalanche Journal
Friday, March 14, 2008
Knight Raiders
Tech's Knight Raiders Chess Team flies high at competition
By Ashley Simpson AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Friday, March 14, 2008
Story last updated at 3/14/2008 - 2:18 am
The Knight Raiders Chess Team took second place at the 2008 Southwest Collegiate Championship in Houston last weekend - the best ever showing in team history.
Nearly 1,500 players statewide attended the competition. Texas Tech's team placed ahead of the University of Texas in Austin and behind the University of Texas in Dallas.
"We were playing against the No. 1 team in the nation, so I'm really stoked about (our win)," said Chase Watters, president of Tech's chess team. "We're hoping to get some international masters and grandmasters next year."
Team members Stephanie Ballom, Walter Albeldano and Bryan Pernes, along with Watters, brought home the second-place award.
Susan Polgar, head coach and director of Tech's Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence, said the award is a significant accomplishment for the community.
"It was a wonderful achievement for our students," said Polgar. "I'm very proud of them."
Polgar, winner of four Women's World Chess Championships, 10 Olympic medals and Women's World Chess Cup, said she hopes her team will continue to make Lubbock proud.
Ballom said Polgar is always there for the team to provide help and encouragement.
"Susan is an amazing coach," she said.
The team prepared for the event with relentless practice and weekly tournaments, said Albeldano.
"We've been working hard," he said. "I'm excited to be part of it."
Source: Avalanche Journal
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Knight Raiders met Dr. Brink
L to R: Dr. Jim Brink, me, Dr. Hal Karlsson, Walter Albeldano, Chase Watters, Bryan Pernes and Stephanie Ballom
The Knight Raiders honored
L to R: Dr. Hal Karlsson, Chase Watters, Dr. Jim Brink, Walter Albeldano, me, Bryan Pernes and Stephanie Ballom
The Texas Tech University Knight Raiders chess team recorded its best finish in team history at the prestigious Southwest Collegiate Championship held last weekend (March 8 – 9) in Houston.
Team members Chase Watters, Bryan Pernes, Stephanie Ballom and Walter Albedano earned second-place honors over teams including the University of Texas at Austin and the Lone Star College. (Cory Chandler)
The globe behind us has a very rich history. This is Texas Tech University 1688 Coronelli Terrestrial Globe, one of only three in North America. It was designed and constructed in the Venetian workshop of the Franciscan Father Vincenzo Coronelli.
In 1920, it was purchased by American newspaper magnate and tireless art collector William Randolph Hearst from a Paris antiques dealer. The globe was left crated until 1941, when Hearst auctioned it off. Texas Tech University purchased the globe in 1968 from Dallas oilman Robert B. Moody as the library's one millionth acquisition.
Due to its deteriorating condition, the 300 year old globe was removed from public display in the mid 1980's. Realizing the globe's historic and aesthetic significance, then Texas Tech Regent James E. Sowell provided funding for an extensive conservation treatment. This restoration, which was dedicated to First Lady Laura Bush in May 1997, has made it possible for the Coronelli Globe to be on permanent exhibit in the Southwest Collection / Special Collections Library.
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