MEMPHIS CHESS

2013-01-11T14:20:00.001-06:00

Wanted to give a "BIG" welcome to

"Shelby County Chess"

who will now be posting local chess happenings for you all to enjoy.

Shelby County Chess continues to bring the best in Chess Masters to the Memphis area and offers the most outstanding Chess Programs in both public and private Memphis area schools. Hands down!

I hope you will enjoy their addition and news. I have found old passions of the past, that have taken my attention to this blog in a different direction. However, never doubt, I am still around, still watching, and will raise my head now and then whenever deemed necessary.

In the mean time, I know that the author for "Shelby County Chess", will be most dedicated to submitting meaningful post to the better advancement of Chess in the Memphis area.

Home is where I'll be.

"HOME" by Daughtry

Come Jam at the Chess Jamboree!

2013-01-09T22:43:00.001-06:00

Be sure to take part in this great tournament held over Martin Luther King weekend...

The 3rd Annual Memphis Chess Jamboree!

Sunday & Monday, January 20-21

The Jewish Community Center

6560 Poplar Ave.

This holiday weekend is "jammed" with chess to the max. On Sunday there will be both a Simul against IM Jake Kleiman and a Blitz Tournament. The following day we will have an Open Tournament with cash prizes and a Scholastic Tournament for students!

You can find more details and register online @ ShelbyCountyChess.blogspot.com

Lunch will also be available for purchase at the cafe on-site. See you at the Jamboree!

MIDTOWN CHESS CLUB - NEW CLUB TO THE SCENE!

2012-09-18T12:30:00.002-05:00

Announcing the newest club to the Memphis area!

Welcome to

MIDTOWN CHESS CLUB

Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012

7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

The Edge Coffee House

532 S. Cooper St.

Memphis, TN 38104

This new club for chess players (Ages 16+) will be hosted every Thursday evening featuring casual play and tournaments. Wind down after a hard day of work by bringing your chess set, your clock (if available), and your friends over to The Edge Coffee House, and treat yourself to a relaxing night of fun and camaraderie along with some good chess games!

Food service is available on site for purchase along with some fantastic coffee for those of you who are true java connoisseurs! The Midtown Chess Club will have its Grand Opening this Thursday evening, Sept. 20th, and if you are one of the chess aficionados in the greater Memphis area, you will definitely want to get in on the ground floor of this weekly event. Please remember that this Club is for players ages 16 and over, and we thank you in advance for your cooperation with this request.

Mark your calendar now, because in two days you need to be at the

Midtown Chess Club at 7 p.m. for

"Opening Night!"

Chess in the Land of the Delta Blues

2012-06-30T09:40:00.000-05:00

BRAVO to the distinguished winners of the 2012 US Amateur South Championship !

What an honor for Memphis to host a
United States Chess Federation Tournament here on home ground.

The thrill for these winners, which now hold a recognized title.

For the second year in a row, this championship tournament
has been brought to Memphis by Shelby County Chess.

If you didn't find the courage to play in the tournament this year,
be sure and watch for the details to be announced for the one next year.

Covered on the USCF website:

Reserve Co-Champion Kamron Jafari (left) &

2012 US Amateur South Champion George Woodbury (right)

pictured with their Coach, IM Jake Kleiman (center)

"George Woodbury III, a rising Sophomore at the University of Chicago, is contesting the stereotype of the chessplayer who gives up the game after his time on the Scholastic Circuit. In-between his studies, he has participated in the collegiate club and still found time to keep his game polished & notably sharp. Players asserted that his no-nonsense style & solid technique won him his title.

The Reserve section was characteristic of many under sections: more upsets than expected results, with players regularly coming out of the tournament hall shaking heads & asking "what was his rating again?”

With the top five boards in Round One drawing or going down in defeat, everyone knew that the tournament was anyone’s to win. Kamron Jafari, who studies with Mid-South Chess (Coached by Memphis’ own International Master Jake Kleiman), took a more traditional approach of jumping into the lead & holding it with two solid draws approaching the finish line.

Hayden Henson, after holding the top seed in the section to an opening round draw, had to play up for most of the event (rated only 1257, his post-event rating jumped to 1435!), yet he still needed to produce a clutch victory in the last round to make a fitting finale to his run."

Visiting guests to the US Amateur South: GM Kacheishvili, GM Hess, & IM-elect Coleman (standing, left to right) observe games in progress in the main hall. Reserve Co-Champion Hayden Henson also pictured (seated, right, in red shirt)

Once per year! Get a shot at a national title.

2012-06-06T20:26:00.004-05:00

Amateur Southern Players Unite, THIS IS THE TOURNAMENT OF THE SUMMER FOR YOU.

A NATIONAL EVENT,

THE US AMATEUR SOUTH CHESS

IS A CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT.

WHEN: JUNE 9TH AND 10TH

WHERE: U OF M HOLIDAY INN, 3700 CENTRAL AVE, MEMPHIS, TN

WHAT: ONLY THE GREAT US AMATEUR SOUTH CHESS TOURNAMENT

ADDED ATTRACTION: VIP guests, Grandmasters Stripunsky, Robert Hess, Georgi Kacheishvili, and International Master Teddy Coleman who will greet you, offer photo ops, and give autographs. SPECIAL FEATURE; A HIGH-END LUNCH BUFFET FOR A VERY REASONABLE PRICE REGISTRATION: Cajun Chess NOTE: THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE 2012 US Amateur South Chess Championship

Memphis In May Chess Simul

2012-05-03T20:59:00.001-05:00

Kelly Clarkson - STRONGER

Well now you can chew on this for awhile!

2012-02-19T12:07:00.011-06:00

Winingest Coach - what should it mean?

What does or should an athlete look for in a coach? Do you really think the term “winingest” is at the top of the list? If they are serious about their sport, and plan on going as far as possible in it, then there must be other qualities that are much more important.

If I could ask some famous and successful coaches such as Paul “Bear” Bryant – Auburn University Football, Tom Landry – Dallas Cowboys, Billy Beane – Oakland Atheletes, Pat Riley NBA Miami Heat (widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time), Josh Pastner – Memphis Tigers, or any number of other renowned coaches, did being the winingest coach make you win the next game or season? I doubt any of them would say that just being the “winingest coach” made them a great one or could even guarantee their players next game would be a win. I doubt they would equate being the winingest coach to what made their teams successful and winning, at all.

It seems somewhat like putting the “HORSE BEFORE THE CART”.

I would venture to say that being many things such as:

Always safety minded.

Experienced and has a high level of ability.

Knowledge in every detail of the game.

Program planning for the individual player, not just for the team.

Encouraging.

Caring,

Supportive.

Builds self-esteem, no intimidation or embarrassment

Involved in a network, has connections to advance the players level of play.

Has self character and high morale standings

Surrounded by assistants and support personal with the same goals, character and high morale standings

Inspires their player

Makes it possible to have a good time and make it fun.

Has the ability to turn losses into teaching lessons and encouragement.

Life skills, what is often taught in a youth sport activity will carry on to lessons that are later applied in their lives. Especially perspectives on losing, hardships and even wining, good sportsmanship, fair play, being honest and having integrity are all important to playing well with others, and growing into responsible adults.

Knows when and how to be flexible,

Understands the player as an individual.

A good communicator, no yelling and certainly no obscenities!

Takes time to listen.

Interacts with parents as well as with the player equally.

Challenges their players and themselves to do better, to grow, and continue to develop new skills.

Being all of the above, is what it is all about. The winning part just naturally follows. But, having to use bragging rights based on figments of imagination and ones own grandeur never enter into the real scheme of things. If anything, would be harmful.

So therefore, I would put the term “winingest coach” at the very bottom of the list, if on the list at all, when considering a coach for my child.

Definitely not one that is so insecure in their own abilities that they have to lavish around the title like it makes them better than any other.

You would never hear Bryant, Landry, Beane, Pastner or any other amazing, truly award wining coach having to refer to themselves as the “winingest”. Did they want to win, of course they did. Did winning mean something in their repertoire, I am sure it did, or else what was the objective. But, did being the winingest help make them win at the beginning of each season or any given game for that matter? No, it was their coaching skills that put them where they were, and if their team ended up being the winingest that season, well then that was just the icing on the cake!

It’s never about just winning; it’s about how you play the game. Winning comes from doing all of the above. Not the other way around. No folks, winingest doesn’t make you a good coach.

There are plenty of wrong ways one can employ to be a “winingest coach”.

Oh yes, and I almost forgot! Let's just put the stats to bed. They really aren't important when it comes to being the "BEST COACH" for any child.

"I LOOK TO YOU!"

For Whitney!

New Blogspot for Chess in the Greater Memphis Area

2012-02-16T14:53:00.005-06:00

Yes we do, have a new Blogspot blog in the greater Memphis, West Tennessee area!

I am sure this is a very welcome site to a huge number of the local scholastic area players.

With no further introduction!

Hooray and let me give you the linky - CLICK HERE.

Valentine's Cupcake ideas for all those feeling a little on the unappreciated side!

2012-02-13T17:40:00.006-06:00

You know those who think that being

"a local level winning coach"

and not getting a mountain full of fame and glory,

is leaving them blue blue oh so blue!

Here's some ideas for decorating your cupcakes for Valentine's Day.

From the lovely blog of "HOOSIER HOMEMADE"!

HAPPY LOVABLE AND EDIBLE VALENTINE'S DAY!

Check it out, click here!

Winningest Coach? What does that mean?

2012-02-03T17:52:00.004-06:00

Hi all!
It's been awhile since I posted, taking a break for the holidays.
Welcoming in the NEW YEAR.

However, that didn't last long!

The brazen use of "winningest coach" and the debate there of,

has ripped me from my liberty!

Winningest Coach? What does that mean to you?

I am wondering.

Well, I am doing some research and crunching some facts.

SO, please check back for my analysis, findings,

and most of all my opinion.

I will say this;

I have no doubt what so ever,

where the words "winningest coach"

would fit into my decision on a coach for my child.

Let's just leave it there for now!

Send me your ideas and let's just see where this leads and to what conclusions.

Rumble, Rumble, Rumble

2012-02-01T09:47:00.003-06:00

Rumble, Rumble, Rumble
Toil and Trouble.

What's new in W. TN.
Except for a bunch of chess mess!

Looks like E TN. can't stay out of just local annexation issues.

To bad, they don't expedite their willingness to help promote

a better air of fairness across the entire realm

and not to just those that hold oil to the squeaky wheel.

Winter Holiday Chess Camp - Memphis, TN.

2011-12-25T13:53:00.007-06:00

Just a friendly reminder to . . .

Give the Best this Holiday Season . . .

The Gift of Winning!

Announcing the . . .
2011
Winter Holiday Chess Camp

(with Coach Rafi & Company)

Monday thru Friday
December 26 - 30, 2011

will be held at

Tropical Smoothie
1779 Kirby Pkwy.
Memphis, Tennessee

(near the corner of Poplar & Kirby)

for Chess Players of all Ages and Levels!

Sessions:

Morning: (9am - 12 noon)
Afternoon: (1pm - 4pm
All Day: 9am - 4pm

Typical Daily
Schedule:

9:00 - 9:50am - Instruction
9:50 - 10:10am - Snack Break
10:10-11:00am - Instruction
11:00-12 noon - Fun Activity!
12:00 - 1pm - Lunch/Games

* * * * * * * * * *
1:00 - 1:50pm - Instruction
1:50 - 2:00pm - Break
2:00 - 2:50pm - Instruction
2:50 - 3:00pm - Snack Break
3:00 - 4:00pm - Tournament
& Game Analysis

Campers will become more familiar with tactics, strategy, openings, middlegame, endgame, etc.

Each day campers will receive their own folder, chess problems, and puzzles to work on during the camp along with concepts explained during the week. At the end of the camp, each camper will be given his or her folder to take home.

Trophies will be awarded to all participating campers.

Lunch, as well as snacks, will be available for purchase on site.

Registration

Early Registration

(if received by Dec. 24th)

Full Camp Session (5 days) - $89.00

1/2-day Session for 5 days (am or pm) - $45.00

One-Day Only Session $25.00

TO RESERVE A SPOT IN THE CHESS CAMP, PLEASE CALL

901-276-4663
or
901-674-4629

On-Site Registration*

8:30 - 8:50 am for morning session

12:30 - 12:50 pm for afternoon session

*$5 added to all prices for
on-site registration

WE WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THE BEST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON . . .
AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT OUR CHESS CAMP!

FOR MORE INFO:

For questions or more information,
please call:

Arlene Kleiman
(901) 276-4663

or

Rafi Chowdhury
(901) 674-4629

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T03:30:00.004-06:00

Music video by Sarah McLachlan;Sarah McLachlan featuring The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Children's Choir and Youth Choir performing Happy Xmas (War Is Over). (C) 2006 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

ENJOY!

SAVE THE DATE !!!!!!

2011-12-20T12:49:00.005-06:00

Mid-South Chess Camp 2012

Save the date!

Great instructor line up - check it out, click here!

Guess who has moved to Memphis now!

2011-11-14T08:15:00.005-06:00

Many are interested in better chess for Memphis.

Friends enjoying the sights.

Guess who has a sweet tooth.

Another Success Story and Landmark in TN Chess!!! WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!!!

2011-11-10T16:17:00.009-06:00

Did you miss it?

OR, were you on the premiere invite list?

"MID-SOUTH CHESS CAMP LANDED IN NASHVILLE
WITH ITS "GRANDMASTER WEEKEND CAMP", OCT.22-23.
MID-SOUTH CHESS CO- FOUNDER AND

LEAD INSTRUCTOR GRANDMASTER ALEXANDR STRIPUNSKY

BROUGHT WITH HIM TO MUSIC CITY NONE OTHER THAN

GRANDMASTER GEORGI KACHEISHVILI.

BOTH GRANDMASTERS, WHO ARE TOP-LEVEL CHESS PLAYERS, MET FOR 2 DAYS WITH SOME OF THE STRONGEST YOUNG CHESS PLAYERS IN THE REGION FOR INTENSIVE TRAINING AND FOR A DAILY VIGOROUS WORK-OUT ON THE SOCCER FIELD DURING BREAK AND A MIXER/DINNER/PARTY IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE SATURDAY NIGHT."

ALEX STRIPUNSKY'S belief in physical health in Chess Players
is shown by his involvement with activities at each camp.

Don't know about you, but, I wish I could have been there!

Trick or Treat Halloween Tournament at the U of Memphis.

2011-11-01T02:55:00.009-05:00

Hosted at the University of Memphis this past Sunday, October 30, 2011.

There were all sorts of Goblins and even a Pretty Miss Cupcake at the
"PUMPKIN PATCH INDIVIDUAL SCHOLASTIC

(K-12) CHESS TOURNAMENT & COSTUME CONTEST!

Fun had by all!
OOPS, fun had by most, and certainly those who were participating in the events.
Enjoy!

UPDATE: Click here for USCF article, "Pumpkin Patch Chess Tournament".

Puppies need good homes!

2011-10-17T23:07:00.004-05:00

Full Blooded Lab puppies for Adoption! Ready 10.18.11

Puppies need good homes!

Milington Animal Safe Haven click here

Vetting email list. What's with that?

2011-10-15T07:21:00.015-05:00

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

Sorry all, the humor in such a practice for a non distinct chess club/group/what have you (not officially called a club, but yet a club does meet there that maintains their own email list, with a mixing of activities and funds flowing through together), the humor is just to darn much!!!!!

I have to take a moment to pause, regain my strength to type on.

"Email Lists
The Greater Memphis Chess Center maintains a few mailing lists for those people interested in chess tournaments.

.....

To prevent people from signing other people up for these lists, registration for these lists is done by emailing j.beatty@greatermemphischess.com with “MAILING LIST” in the subject. Please include the lists you’d like to sign up for in the body of the email. Any number of lists can be signed up for at once."

Tell me folks, how do you think this all works? Do you submit your email, then you get a questionnaire back to make sure you are you? I mean really, how would anyone know if you were you? How do you really verify anyone with just an email?
Or, is this just a big to do about nothing?

It could almost seem to make the general public think that there is an overwhelming interest in their activities - to think that they are getting pounded by so many request! Or, it could be that they are just trying to seem somewhat concerned about just who or whom may want on their list of top billing events, after all, I have yet to see any problems with "limited space" on any events.

Here again, it all seems a bit of the outer limits. If anyone wanted to know about events they could just ask someone they know who is already a member about the low down on what's going on. Then again, there are some people who just delight in spreading the word or happening, you don't even need to ask, they just spill the beans, so to say!

Right! Who really needs to be on an "EMAIL LIST" to know what goes on. Are their members instructed not to divulge any "TOP SECRET/ORIGINAL" activities?

I am just sure that there is an overwhelming submission of request to jump right on this selection of email lists. After all, Memphis is just a booming chess metropolis!

Hundreds if not thousands must have rushed for these outstanding lists by the sounds of vetting them. I mean really come on. At the most I would guess there are very few beyond their own, known members, that have submitted to be on these list. I am also going to guess that not even all of their known members want to be on these list.

After all can't people interested go to their websites. There is the Memphis Chess Club site, the GMCC site, and other various ways to get information. I mean you can always get information from a friend or someone you know who hangs with the group already. As for tournaments, many are listed with the USCF, so you can also get information there.

So, whats really the bottom line with this type of stress about "outsiders maybe getting on an email list"?

Some possible reasons:

1) You really want to keep the "Riff Raff" out of knowing about your events ( I have no way of knowing what would qualify someone as being "Riff Raff", but maybe they do.)

2) You have millions of request and just have to shorten your list, can't afford the bandwidth from sending millions of emails. Nor do you want to spend the time maintaining emails for millions of requests.

3) Your email client doesn't allow millions of emails to be sent out for fear you are a spammer, (quite frankly folks, I'd be more worried about this one, after all are they selling these huge amounts of emails from all of the email requests they must be acquiring? Don't know, but, it's a possibility, I guess.)

4) They are having "TOP SECRET CHESS EVENTS" that the world maybe in peril if anyone of a dubious nature finds out and may want to participate in a "world changing" battery of chess games.

5) They have first hand knowledge of persons submitting other persons emails. Maybe they have tried it as a joke or humor on someone else (surely not maliciously although the possibility is there), or maybe they themselves have been the target of such joking or humor causing for some way outer limits sense of fear for email list.

I don't know about you, but I find it hilarious that there seems to be some sense about their email list that causes such worry and fear. Now, what could that be? After all, could they really be getting that many request beyond those of people they already know? I doubt it!

Are they doing "TOP SECRET, ORIGINAL, NEW METHODS or TIME CONTROL GAMES" that are of an earth shattering nature? No, I doubt this one for sure, doesn't seem to be too much originality to worry about there.

So, in closing, I would suggest that I would be more worried about the location of the building, safety and the nature of activities, rather than, if I am on an email list or not!

Good luck with that boys!

National Chess Day in Memphis.

2011-10-11T08:04:00.015-05:00

Hi all!
News about the most outstanding National Chess Day in Memphis TN.

IM Jake Kleiman,

Tennessee's Number One Current USCF rated player.

What a fun day to be had by all!

Shelby County Chess, Mid-South Chess, Friday Knights Chess Club along with the University of Memphis Chess Club were all represented at the National Chess Day event at the Wolfchase Galleria Mall in Memphis with the weekend events kicking off at the Friday Knights Chess Club on Friday evening.

A very special appearance by Tennessee's own Top Rated USCF, Current Player, IM Jake Kleiman was enjoyed for autographs and pictures.

Click here for the USCF take on the activities.

Click here for the Commercial Appeal article, with picture of 7 year old Ben Johnson making his chess move.

Click here for the Commercial Appeal Photo of 7 year old Robert Randall.

Memphis Area Chess Welcomes Cajun Chess

2011-09-10T18:05:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Memphis!

Glad to have a major player in the world of chess,

tournaments and supplies, now located here in Memphis!

Cajun Chess and Chess In Education

There was a chess tournament schedule presented at the

"Welcome to Memphis" party Friday night.

(check back for the tournament schedule)

Out with the old and in with the new!

3 Cheers!

Tuesday, already!

2011-09-06T11:45:00.003-05:00

My the weekend went by fast! Here we are, after Labor Day!

Invitations have been going out for the

announcement/welcome party!

Be on the lookout!

I understand there will be limited space available.

Hope you already have yours.

2011-08-31T16:08:00.005-05:00

"FLOWER" by Amos Lee

Some announcements
coming shortly after Labor Day.

Quote of the Day:

"I LIKE TO MAKE THEM SQUIRM" Bobby Fischer

Happy Birthday to the Best in Memphis!

2011-08-29T10:09:00.005-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO MEMPHIS GREATEST CHESS PROMOTER!

Wishing you a great day and many more

excellent chess capturing occasions!

Your the best!

Congratulations to Parker Zhao and with ties to Memphis!

2011-08-29T09:41:00.008-05:00

Is this the one?

(Photo from CCSCSL)

Congratulations to one of the country's newest International Masters who has Memphis ties.

IM -elect Parker Zhao earned his 3rd IM norn in the highly competitive Open section of the Manhattan Open Chess Tournament held recently in NYC.

Parker is a student of GM Alex Stripunsky,

a favorite coach who considers Memphis his second home,

and also has a close friend in IM Jake Kleiman of Memphis.

From USCF August 22, 2011

"This was Parker's third IM norm in fact, and after his results from the tournament have been rated, his rating should climb past the 2400 FIDE threshold for IMs elect. His last-round game , a victory over IM Greg Shahade, featured a "surprise" Queen sacrifice by White on move 19."

Photo from CCSCSL