Improving outside of class

I tell kids all the time, you can't get good at something by doing it wrong, over and over again.  

Kids need to do lessons and videos, and workouts, and puzzles to see how to do it right.  THEN play games and tournaments to demonstrate what they have learned - and for it to sink in.  If they don't do well in games/ tournaments, it is because they have not "put in the work!"   As a fellow chess parent, I'd like to ask you all to consider motivating your kids to do the work.  Reward them.  Or treat it like studying rather than "video games" or "Screen time"...

Here is what kids should focus on:

LEARNING: 

• ChessKid.com - Lessons!  They should progress through the online lessons.  They are targeted to kids and are fun!
• ChessKid.com - Videos!  Also lots of fun, and very instructional
• Books - many great chess books out there.  Chess for Dummies is actually really good.

PRACTICE:

• ChessKid.com - Workouts!  Great common positions for kids to practice.
• ChessKid.com - Online games - play others in the class!
• ChessKid.com - Vision - practice "seeing the board" - learn chess notation so you can learn from your games!

DEMONSTRATING WHAT YOU LEARNED:

• ChessKid.com - PUZZLES!  Lots of fun - work on your puzzle rating!
• Tournaments!   Next one is Golda Meir
• Ladder Games in class

Golda Meir Registration:

Here is my link to register for the Golda Meir tournament on Feb 4!

Each school has different ideas about how to group the players.  This one has a K-4 group for kids in K-4 grades who have a WSCF rating under 500, then the other groups are solely by rating (under 500, under 800 and OPEN (any rating)).

Your child has a rating if and only if they played in the Wauwatosa Catholic tournament recently.  If they did, you can look up their ratings by going to THIS LINK and finding your child and looking at the "Local" rating number.  This will determine what division you will need to select.

There is more description in the registration link.  Just choose a division if you're unsure and I will adjust later based on who we have going to the tournament.

McKinley's K3 Team takes First!

 Chess Teaches Sportsmanship

Had a ton of fun at the Tosa Catholic tournament on Saturday 1/15.  This was our first chess tournament as a team, and very happy to have had 11 kids show up!
The big news is, our K-3 team of Nolan, Charlie, Max, Louis, Henry and Jack took home the 1st place trophy!!   3rd grader Louis led the way with 4 wins out of 5 games, just missing a trophy by taking 6th place Individual K-3.  Several kids won 3 out of 5 games also.  Every single kid achieved their goal of winning at least one game in the tournament!  Very proud of everyone.
Thanks also to the parents who showed up and helped out.  Final results link is here.

Private Lessons with Mr. Robin

For kids who really "catch the chess bug" there is nothing to accelerate their learning more than private lessons.  If anybody is looking for private lessons, I recommend Mr. Robin Grochowski.  He will also be assisting with our class the next couple of months.
Robin runs the Southwest Chess Club and is a longstanding pillar of the Wisconsin chess community. I've known he and his son (who was an excellent scholastic player) for many years.  Robin's rate is a reasonable $25-30 per hour, about half what other instructors charge.  He is on the south side but would travel here to Tosa for lessons.  Mr. Robin can be reached at 414 - 861 - 2745.

Last Call for Tosa Catholic pre-registration

Good class this week and a big thanks to Mr. Robin Grochowski who joined us!
On Thursday (same time and place - library), Mr. Mark is having a special "tournament preparation" session just for the kids going to Tosa Catholic this Saturday.  In this extra class, we'll be focusing on tournament rules, things to watch out for, and we will focus on CHECKMATES.  Looks like we will have about 7 for K-3, and about 3 or 4 kids for K-6.  Very happy about the turnout - the more the merrier, and there is still time to register!
Here is the link to register.  Deadline is 11pm Wednesday for early registration - note that you can STILL PAY AT THE TOURNAMENT on Saturday morning, it will just cost you $15 instead of $10.
Thanks!

Register for Tosa Catholic - Need K6 Especially!

Thanks to those who have registered for Tosa Catholic this Saturday using the link here on TosaChess.com!
We now have four kids registered in the K-3 section.  The more the merrier!
I would still like to get a K-6 team!  That means we need some of the 4th and 5th graders to jump in!
Anyone interested?
Again, anyone who plays on Saturday is welcome to come after school on Thursday for some extra instruction and tournament preparation.

As a chess coach, i have seen that chess teaches several unexpected LIFE lessons.  This is the main reason I love to help kids discover this amazing game.  As I've seen, and I hope you will soon see:
- the 1st life lesson from chess comes in the first tournament game they play.
- the 2nd life lesson comes from the first tournament game they win.
Learning to deal with these highs and lows, I think, is one of the many benefits I've seen to kids.
Thank you for sharing this with me.
- Mark / Mr. Seghers

ChessKids - and What to Expect 1/14

1. CHESSKIDS.COM

While many kids are using ChessKids.com, many aren't also.  Or they used it, got a rating, then stopped using it. 

I know I drone on about ChessKids, but it really is that important.  The kids who do the puzzles and play the games are the kids for whom Chess really makes an impact.  Increased confidence, planning skills, improved grades, so much more.

But here is an important reminder: Chesskids.com starts everyone at a rating of 600.  That is too high for beginners to sustain.  Your child may get frustrated when their rating drops naturally to their pure-beginner level of something like 200-400.  They should be proud if they are able to get back to their 600 rating - that should be their initial goal.  So... (and I will also say this again in class) ... a kid with a 600 rating is a kid who has done nothing on Chesskids.com.  A kid with a 450 rating is a kid who is learning, trying, and improving.  Starting in class on Tuesday, I will be announcing our kids' accomplishments on ChessKids, including games played, levels attained, etc.

2. TOSA CATHOLIC (Jan 14) - What to Expect?

Parents are asking questions about the tournament on Jan 14.  Below are some questions and answers:

• The tournament starts around 9 or 9:30 on the 14th.  Please pre-register AT THIS LINK.  Register before end-day Wednesday (earlier is better).  You pay at the door ($10 if you had pre-registered).  If you have not pre-registered, it costs $5 more ($15).
• Lunch will be available there, or you can run out and get something while your kid is playing (just make sure you have a different parent alerted to your temporary absence in case they get out quickly).
• The tournament should last until around 3, with awards to follow. 
• Between rounds, I will work with the kids and we can play games and talk about how the tournament matches went.
• One parent should be there for each kid.  Usually parents bring a book, or a laptop to do work, etc.
• I am having a tournament prep class after school next Thu (see previous post for details), just for kids who have registered for the tournament.  This is a valuable time for me to spend time with a smaller amount of kids.
• Tournaments are a great way for kids to "get" chess.  It's a TON of fun, and they get to meet kids from other schools!  This is also a great way for them to bond with team-mates.  The McKinley Chess Team! 

Thanks!  Please email me with any questions.   

TOSA CATHOLIC PREP - Registration Link and Info!

We will have a separate TOURNAMENT PREPARATION CLASS on Thursday, Jan 12th from 3:30 - 4:45 in the Library for all who wish to attend the TOSA CATHOLIC tournament on Jan 14th!

Here is the link to register - or use the button on the right side of this website!

Tournament Info:

Register before end-day Wednesday Jan 11 with this link- Mr. Seghers will then register full team with WSCF.  You can also register on-site the morning of the tournament but it will cost you $5 extra.  Arrive at Wauwatosa Catholic (MAP) between 8:00 and 8:15 AM.

Entry:       $10 per player for advance registration, $15 on-site registration.

Check-in from 8:00 to 8:40. Round 1 begins close to 9:00. Onsite registration for round 1 ends at 8:15. Pre-registrants arriving after 8:40 and on site registrations arriving after 8:15 can enter the tournament round 2. Please check in as early as possible. Registration fee will be paid at the tournament.

Awards:     K3:  3 team trophies, individual trophies to top 5 players and medals to all

                  K5:  3 team trophies, individual trophies to top 5 players and medals to all

                  K12: 3 team trophies, individual trophies to top 3 players and medals to all

Award Ceremony around 4 pm if not before.

Lunch: Available for purchase on-site at Tosa Catholic.

Supervision: At least one designated adult supervisor must be present at all times during the tournament to oversee your school’s team, or individual participants who are in K through 8^th grade.   Bring:   Pencils and clocks if you have them.