Western Class

Mar 26, 2015
2 min read

So Evan competed in the Western Class in Agoura last weekend. He decided to play up in the U1600 section and it PAID OFF. He was the second lowest in the section but ended splitting second place and gained a whopping 150 rating points. We think it has much to do with his home court advantage. Agoura has been very kind to Evan. He has taken home prize money in the last four tournaments there. He still unfortunately does not see the value in studying and analyzing his games. I can't force him to want to. I can STOP taking him traveling to events until he proves that chess is a priority for him. Ugh....to be a parent.

Things continue to heat up for me in chess. I will be teaching at Westlake Elementary, Westlake Hills Elementary and Wethersfield in Thousand Oaks in the Spring and then I will be adding St. Judes Apostle in the Fall. I am running a chess camp with Coach Jerry. The camp is unique because it will also include Sports Condtioning by my boxing trainer, John Blanks. It should be a great combo camp for kids to challenge not only their minds, but their bodies too. Jerry Yee and I are also looking to organize a Chess Festival touranment for beginners this summer. Details will be posted on the website.

I am heading to the US Chess Championship in a few days. I am looking forward to it. I have never been to St. Louis. I will be attending the Opening Ceremonies and watiching a few games while I am there. I am primarily going to support my buddy, Timur who is playing in the tournament. But it will also be really neat to witness this significant tournament and see what transpires with So and Nakamira. I am also happy I will get to see Maurice Ashley, who I haven't seen since Millinaire and to see Jennifer Shahade, who will be featured in my next Off da Rook newsletter.

My friend, Diana is HOPEFULLY meeting me there for a couple of days. I am really excited to visit the Chess Hall of Fame and see the Living Like Kings exhibit as well as the Bobby Fischer exhibit. It is a shame Evan will not be with me because he chose Bobby Fischer for his Living Museum school project.

Anyway, until next time. GO PLAY CHESS.