|
Photo*
On Saturday 19 May, 2018 a group of our student players participated in the Scholastic Chess Team Championship 2018 which was organised by The Bahamas Chess Federation. The event was held at Tambearly School located at the entrance of West Ridge Estates off West Bay Street. The event was divided into two sections, High School and Primary School. Some schools entered multiple teams in the competition. Queen's College entered 3 teams in the High School section and Tambearly entered a total 7 teams in the tournament. Our team played in the Primary School section and comprised five players (one reserve player). The event was organised as a 5 round swiss with Game in 20 minutes. The tournament was an ideal opportunity for our student players to experience chess competition in a fun environment with many opportunities to play opponents of the same age or similar skill level. As a result of the late start the organisers only allowed teams to play 4 rounds. This did not impact the outcome, however, because there was already a clear winner after the 4 rounds of play. Photo* By the smiles on the faces of our team members in the photo above, I believe that they enjoyed their first team chess tournament. I extend my congratulations to all the student players of our team and a special thanks to their parents who sat through 6 hours of scholastic chess.
0 Comments
5/3/2021 0 Comments Game of chess and its historyOriginally Publish 31 March, 2018
"Chess originated in India, where its early form in the 6th century was chaturanga, which translates as "four divisions of the military" – infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots, represented respectively by pawn, knight, bishop, and rook. In Persia, around 600AD, the name became shatranj and the rules were developed further. Shatranj was taken up by the Muslim world after the Islamic conquest of Persia, with the pieces largely retaining their Persian names. In Spanish "shatranj" was rendered as ajedrez and in Greek as zatrikion, but in the rest of Europe it was replaced by versions of the Persian shah ("king"). The game reached Western Europe and Russia, from the 9th century and by the year 1000 it had spread throughout Europe. Around 1200, rules of shatranj started to be modified in southern Europe, and about 1475 several major changes rendered the game essentially as it is today. The oldest preserved printed chess book, Repeticion de Amores y Arte de Ajedrez (Repetition of Love and the Art of Playing Chess) by Spanish churchman Luis Ramirez de Lucena was published in Salamanca in 1497. By the eighteenth century the center of European chess life had moved from the Southern European countries to France. Centres of chess life were the coffee houses of the large European cities like Café de la Regence in Paris and Simpson's Divan in London. As the nineteenth century progressed, chess organisation developed quickly. Many chess clubs, chess books and chess journals appeared." - World Chess Federation. (2009, 8 April). Game of Chess and its History [Article] - Retrived from https://www.fide.com/fide/fide-world-chess-federation.html Originally published 29 March, 2018
Unlike other sports or activities, Chess requires modest equipment. At the minimum beginners should be prepared to acquire the following chess equipment: 1. A set of solid plastic World Chess Federation regulation chess pieces and pawns; 2. A standard chessboard with letters and numbers; and 3. A scholastic scorebook. Chess pieces and pawns These plastic pieces and pawns are durable and well suited for the rough handling which are meted out by beginners. These pieces and pawns should be Staunton in style and tournament regulated size as specified by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Rules. It is unlikely that these tournament regulated size pieces and pawns will be sold in toy stores. It is better to contact a chess instructor or your country's chess federation for a recommendation on where you can purchase the appropriate chess pieces and pawns. Chessboard The appropriate chessboard for your chess pieces and pawns depends on the size of the base of the King. Manufactures of chess pieces and pawns would sell or recommend the appropriate chessboard for the chess pieces and pawns. Confirm that the chessboard you are about to purchase is suitable for the chess pieces and pawns. If the chess pieces and pawns, and chessboard are not tournament regulation size then your student chess player may not be able to use them in a chess competition. Having chessboard with factory printed coordinates (letters and numbers) are ideal because these letters and numbers are used by instructors during chess classes. They are aslo used during chess competitions and the study of chess. Scholastic Scorebook The scorebook is not necessary during the early chess lessons but will soon be required. The scorebook allows the student chess player to record his/her moves and those of his/her opponents. In competitions, recording chess games form the official record of the game and is a requirement in tournaments with standard time controls. Recorded games can be used by players and tournament Arbiters to resolve disputes arising during chess games. Additionally, recorded games are used by chess instructors to assess students level of play and grasp of material covered during instruction. Furthermore, players use their record of games to review their games and learn from their mistakes and to glean ideas from their opponents. The line spacing of these scholastic scorebooks are wider so as to accommodate student players who may need additional space to write and record their moves. You can appreciate that a golf student needs a set of golf clubs and a tennis student needs a tennis racquet and balls. Just like the golf and tennis student, a chess student needs a Chess Set (Chess pieces and pawns, and Chessboard) and a Scorebook. Chess equipment is necessary for chess instruction so ensure that you are purchasing equipment that is suitable for your student players needs. Originally published 17 March, 2018
I believe that it is generally accepted that playing chess helps develop learning skills in school aged children (see my Blog on this website dated 3 March, 2018). But having reached that conclusion some parents and teachers may not know what to consider when selecting a chess instructor for their child, children or students. This article is meant to provide three easy steps to follow when choosing a chess instructor for budding student chess players. Step 1. Contact the Chess Federation or search the Chess Federation's website for a list of chess instructors. Chess is widely organised internationally and regardless of which country you live in, there is likely a chess governing body. Contacting this governing body and requesting a list of chess instructors who are registered with the domestic chess federation and/or the World Chess Federation should provide you with a list of potential chess instructors. You should ask for instructors who specialise in teaching chess to school age children. Step 2. Contact instructors from the list of chess instructors with the aim of recruiting the most suitable instructor for your child, children or students. When you make contact with the chess instructor, ask him/her to answer or explain the following:
Step 3. References. Now that you are at Step 3, you can begin to develop a short list of instructors. Request the short listed instructors to provide you with names of two or three referees who can confirm their expertise and character. A brief conversation with two or three referees should assist you with determining whether the chess instructor is for you. You should also aim to vet the instructor further to ensure that the chosen instructor does not have a criminal record and that your child, children or students are safe with them. So in summary, if you are seeking a chess instructor for your child, children or students you should make inquiries with the domestic chess governing body, contact the instructors, speak with the instructor's chosen referees and attend a chess class to help with your selection process. It is my belief that successful instructors are able to keep beginners engaged and create a learning environment that is fun. Originally published by Kean Smith on 4 March, 2018
Below are three reasons why your school age children should be taking chess lessons:
|
AuthorKean Smith is a qualified FIDE National Chess Instructor and former member of FIDE's Chess in School Commission. Archives
May 2025
CategoriesAll Benefits Of Chess Chess Classes Chess Club At School COVID-19 And Education International Day Online Chess Regulations Protocol For Over-the-board Events Spotlight On Student Players Students Tactics Teachers And Chess World Chess Champion Bio World Chess Champion - Bio |
RSS Feed