Ray Robson Wins 2009 Samford Chess Fellowship

Ray at the 2008 Pan American Continental Championship (Above Photos by Beatriz Marinello)

2009 BRINGS US A NEW SAMFORD CHESS FELLOWSHIP WINNER, IM RAY ROBSON!  CONGRATULATIONS RAY!

A younger Ray Robson…

Last year (2008), for the first time in its twenty-two year history, two full Samford Fellowships were awarded in a single year. IM Irina Krush and GM Vinay Bhat, were last years Samford Chess Fellowship winners.

2009 SAMFORD CHESS FELLOWSHIP WON BY RAY ROBSON (PRESS RELEASE)
Contact: Allen Kaufman(718) 544-5036
AllenKauf@aol.com

Ray Robson of Largo, Florida, a fourteen year old International Chessmaster (“IM”), has been awarded the twenty-fourth FRANK P. SAMFORD, JR. CHESS FELLOWSHIP. Ray is home-schooled and is able to devote four or more hours per day to chess study.

Ray has been playing chess since the age of three and entered his first tournament when he was seven. He reached the IM level when he was thirteen and is currently the youngest player in the United States with this title. His first major tournament victory was the 2008 Miami Open, then tied for first in the Florida State Championship. He has defeated many international grandmasters (“GMs”) and is working toward that title himself now.

Robson’s trainer has been GM Alexander Onischuk. Because of financial constraints the lessons have been mostly by telephone. With funding provided by the Samford Fellowship the training can now be substantially increased and conducted face-to-face. Travel to strong foreign tournaments and other assistance will now also be possible.

The Samford is the richest and most important chess fellowship in the United States, providing brilliant young American chessmasters the support and resources necessary to enhance their skills and reach their full potential. The total value of the Fellowship is approximately $36,000 per year. The prize is awarded for one year, beginning July 1, 2009, and is renewable for a second year.

The winner was chosen by the Samford Fellowship Committee, consisting of Frank P. Samford III (son of Samford Fellowship founder Frank P. Samford, Jr.), former U.S. Chess Champion Grandmaster Arthur Bisguier and International Master John Donaldson. The winner’s potential was determined based on his chess talent, work ethic, dedication and accomplishments. The Fellowship is administered by the U.S. Chess Trust with particularly valuable services provided by Barbara DeMaro.

The purpose of the Samford Fellowship is to identify and assist the best young American chessmasters by providing top-level coaching, strong competition and access to study materials. The Fellowship also provides a monthly stipend for living expenses so that the winners may devote themselves entirely to chess without having financial worries.

Since its inception the Samford Fellowship has proven very successful. Several of the Fellows have become Grandmasters and a few have won the U.S. Chess Championship and played on the U.S. team in the chess olympiad.. The full list includes:

• Joel Benjamin
• Maxim Dlugy
• Patrick Wolff
• Alex Fishbein
• Ilya Gurevich
• Alex Sherzer
• Ben Finegold
• Gata Kamsky
• Josh Waitzkin
• Tal Shaked
• Boris Kreiman
• Dean Ippolito
• Greg Shahade
• Michael Mulyar
• Eugene Perelshteyn
• Varuzhan Akobian
• Dmitry Schneider
• Rusudan Goletiani
• Hikaru Nakamura
• David Pruess
• Josh Friedel
• Irina Krush
• Vinay Bhat

The Samford Chess Fellowship was created by the late Frank P. Samford, Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Samford was a distinguished attorney and CEO of Liberty National Life Insurance Company (now Torchmark). Mr. Samford was active in civic, business, political, educational and cultural affairs. He was also an enthusiastic competitor in chess tournaments.

Generous contributions from Mrs. Virginia Samford and Torchmark Corporation support the Fellowship. The Samford Fellowship is a fitting memorial to an extraordinary man. The dedication, creativity and achievement that marked Mr. Frank P. Samford, Jr.’s life are examples for all chessplayers to admire and emulate.

Just Get Your Game On! (Chess and Basketball)

Article by WIM Beatriz Marinello

When I first saw this amazing video (check out the new NBA promo video in sidebar), I immediately remembered, a program at the Yonkers Housing Authority in New York State called “Smart Basketball”.

The young players were required to play chess prior to starting their basketball practice.

This program was instituted by Mr. Peter Smith, Executive Director of the YHA at the time.

So, how is basketball like a game of chess?

In James Case’s book, Competition – The Birth of a New Science, this question is asked:

“What do chess-playing, computer programs, biological evolution, competitive sports, gambling, alternative voting systems, public auctions, corporate globalization, and class warfare have in common?”

The answer inevitably comes…

“All are manifestations of a new paradigm in scientific thinking, which James Case calls “the emerging science of competition.”

“…Case explores the common game-theoretic strands that tie these seemingly unrelated fields together, showing how each can be better understood in the shared light of the others.”

Another, recently published book, Spark! by Dr. John Ratey says:

“…excercise provides an unparelled stimulus creating an environment in which the brain is ready, willing and able to learn.”

“…physical exercise unleashes certain chemicals in the bloodstream, which leads to direct, positive changes in the brain. One of these chemicals is the protein called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), known for the impact it has on brain development.”

In other words, exercise makes us smarter…

So, what do you think?

If this is the case, shouldn’t chess be played after a strenuous game of basketball to improve your game, or, should you play chess before basketball to improve your slam dunk abilities?

I say, Peter Smith had it right, stretch the chess muscles, so in the case that you lose, perhaps letting off a little steam with a game of ball will cool you off.

JUST GET YOUR GAME ON!

Chess & the Transformation of American Values

Chess and the Transformation of American Values: Prospects for Popular Acceptance by Troy L. Armstrong

“Chess never has been  and never can be ought but a recreation. It should not be indulged in to the detriment of other and more serious avocations–should not absorb or engross the thoughts of those who worship at its shrine, but should be kept in the background and restrained within its proper provinces.” Paul Murphy

“Chess is Life” Robert J. Fischer

I.  Introduction

In a conference which has chosen to address itself to a topic as rich in possibilities as the uses and values of chess as a leisure activity,  the present paper proposes to take the rather bold step of attempting to reach some tentative conclusions about the role that chess plays in American society at the present time.

Let us assume that we can discern a set of societal factors that determine, 1) the way in which chess is perceived by the American public, and 2) the extent to which chess is currently pursued as a leisure passtime in our society.

If these assumptions are correct , then some insights can be gained regarding the meaning and significance of chess in our society.

Max Lerner has rightly observed in his wel-known work, “America as a Civilization” (1957), that no American can truly achieve detachment in studying America.  However, I do feel that by exploring the underlying issues of cultural context, social value, and world view, some sense of the patterns and priorities of our society can be revealed.

In this way I hope to arrive to some conclusions about the way chess has come to be perceived by the American public.

The essence of my  inquiry is best expressed by the following question: As contemporary U.S. society has increasingly experienced restructuring of its value system,  what if any effect have these changes had on the traditional perception of chess as an acceptable, leisure pastime?

Read Full Article (Click Here) – Chess and the Transformation of American Values: Prospects for Popular Acceptance (PDF)

Chess and It’s Relationship to Other Subjects

It is not an unknown fact that many famous people play or have played chess. Many people have blogged about this…

But, if you pay close attention, the possible connections and relationship between chess and other subjects seems never ending.

For instance - let’s start with the movie “The Pianist”.

The Pianist – Chopin Ballade No. 1

Adrien Brody stars in this movie which is based on the autobiography of the pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman (1911-2000) [pronounced "Vuadysuav Shpilman"; also known as Wladek ("Vuadek") Szpilman] who was born in Sosnowiec, in Poland.

In 1935, Szpilman was hired at the Polish State Radio Station of Warsaw.   A celebrated composer and pianist , he played the last live music heard over Polish Radio airwaves.

He was playing Chopin’s ‘Nocturne in C# [C sharp] Minor,’ when the luftwaffe dive-bombed the station on September 23rd, 1939.

I am sure you know that Chopin was not only a musical genius, but, a chessplayer too.

The music on the movies soundtrack consisted of works composed by Chopin with Janusz Olejniczak (Tracks 1-8), Track # 9 , The Pianist, film score, Moving to the Ghetto which was composed by Wojciech Kilar & Track # 10 which was composed by Chopin with Andrzej Szpilman.

The collection concludes with a rare, remastered performance of Chopin’s Mazurka Op. 17, No. 4 by Szpilman himself, recorded in Warsaw in 1948.

Track # 9, the film score Moving to the Ghetto was composed by Wojciech, who also composed the soundtrack to the film “The Ninth Gate”.

Inside the cover art for “The Ninth Gate” soundtrack, are reproduced engravings with brief info at the bottom of each.  The seventh reads as follows:

“The disciple outshines the master.”

(A king and beggar play chess on a board with white squares.  The moon can be seen through the window.  Beneath this and next to a closed door, two dogs are fighting.)

Adrien Brody is also in a Sony BMG Film “Cadillac Records”, which is the story of the blues in 1950’s Chicago, a musical drama written and directed by TV veteran Darnell Martin.

Brody stars as Chess Records’ founder Leonard Chess.  Incidentally, the founders of Chess Records were brothers Leonard and Philip Chess who were two Jewish immigrants from Poland.

Now, I can probably keep going…and if I continue, I may find another person who played chess, and perhaps another and another…but, what does that prove?

I find that question interesting, but, not as interesting as this…

Our minds, whether in music, art, chess, or , even nothing at all – are an extraordinary source of mystery and inspiration.  It is no wonder why one can get so wrapped up in – not the game -but -the promise…of more to come.

On another ‘note’…

Musical Terms that are used in Chess

The Oxford Companion to Chess is a comprehensive encyclopedia of chess.

It contains articles on history, terminology, chess players, and the relationship between chess and other subjects such as music, art, theatre, literature and philosophy.  Many of the terms listed in this book are also musical terms.

For example, in chess, a person who creates puzzles and problems to be solved is called a composer, and two different sequences of moves that lead from one given position to another are said to be related by transposition.

Some other terms that are used in chess and music are: play, piece, notation, score, tempo, theme, variation, development, minimal composition, round, major and minor, position, second, retrograde, mirror, attack, anticipation, phase and echo.

Hooper, David, and Kenneth Whyld 1996. The Oxford Companion to Chess. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.

Article written by DL

Should You Start a Scholastic Chess Club?

With the amazing success of the 2009 SuperNationals, many schools, parents, teachers, and school administrators may be wondering – Should we start a Scholastic Chess Club in our school?

For example, let’s take the Elementary Nationals in 2008 , New York was at # 1 with an amazing 99 schools participating, Pennsylvania was at # 2 with 62 schools participating , and Ohio was at # 3 with 48 schools participating.

Other states have a significantly lower amount of schools participating, but, the benefits of chess are evident and have led to an increasing amount of interest in scholastic chess across the country!

We can help you establish or continue your chess program!

The U.S. Chess Trust provides free U.S. Chess Federation memberships and chess playing equipment to support chess education programs across the nation!

There are two components to the Chess-For-Youth program:

• Provision of free chess equipment (limit of up to five free boards and sets) to help start your chess program.
• Provisions of free USCF memberships (limit of ten memberships per school) for needy students who are attending a Title I school and have never been a USCF member before (see definition of Title I under Free Membership Program Criteria).

Members receive a catalog filled with hundreds of the most up-to-date products, access to tournament information in print and on the website, as well as the right to play in rated OTB (over-the-board) and correspondence chess tournaments.

For more info about our program:

• CLICK HERE – Chess-for-Youth Program
• CLICK HERE for Chess for Youth Form/Application

Fill out the form, and send it in! Its that simple!

If you have additional questions, comments or concerns, just email us at info@uschesstrust.org.

For additional reading, below is a Guide to Scholastic Chess.

A GUIDE TO SCHOLASTIC CHESS (10th Edition)

PREFACE

Dear Administrator, Teacher, or Coach

This guide was created to help teachers and scholastic chess organizers who wish to begin, improve, or strengthen their school chess program. It covers how to organize a school chess club, run tournaments, keep interest high, and generate parental and public support.

I would like to thank the United States Chess Federation Club Development Committee, especially former Chairman Randy Siebert, for allowing us to use the framework of The Guide to a Successful Chess Club (1985) as a basis for this booklet.

In addition, I want to thank Tom Brownscombe, Director of the International Chess Institute of the Midwest, dba the Anatoly Karpov International School of Chess, and the United States Chess Federation (USCF) for their continuing help in the preparation of this publication. Scholastic chess, under the USCF’s guidance, has greatly expanded and made it possible for the wide distribution of this guide. I look forward to working with them on many projects in the future.

The following scholastic organizers reviewed various editions of this work and made many suggestions, which have been included. Thanks go to Jay Blem (CA), Leo Cotter (CA), Stephan Dann (MA), Bob Fischer (IN), Doug Meux (NM), Andy Nowak (NM), Andrew Smith (CA), Brian Bugbee (NY), Beatriz Marinello (NY), Tom Brownscombe (KS), Alexey Root (TX), and many others too numerous to mention.

Finally, a special thanks to my wife, Susan, who has been patient and understanding.

Dewain R. Barber
American Chess Equipment

NOTE: For forms referenced within this book, check the “Forms” category behind the “Activities & Interests” section of http://www.uschess.org. Keeping the forms on the US Chess website and not in this book will ensure that you have access to the most current version!

This publication is provided free to all schools and scholastic organizers. It is not to be sold for profit.

Contents copyright ©1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2009 American Chess Equipment, 524 S. Avenida Faro, Anaheim, CA 92807; Telephone (714) 998-5508; Fax (714) 998-1160. E-mail amchesseq@aol.com/

However, republication or widespread copying of all other portions of this publication without the written consent of American Chess Equipment is forbidden.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Tom Brownscombe
PRODUCTION STAFF Dewain Barber, Tom Brownscombe, Joan DuBois, Alexey Root, and Phil Smith.

This publication is produced with the assistance of the U.S. Chess Federation.

This publication is provided free to all schools and scholastic organizers.

Chess Clubs and Chessplayers

The scholastic chess club combines educational and social activities. Members come to play, to learn, to teach, and to get together with old friends and make new ones. The players — no matter what their level of skill, experience, or age— speak a common language, and one that is often not understood in other areas of a person’s life. The rivalries are friendly; the friendships are competitive.

A club can offer a wide variety of activities. There can be speed chess or rated games, or both. Club activities can include simultaneous exhibitions, lectures, and even formal classes taught by chess masters, experts or other experienced players.

Some players who regularly come to a club won’t ever try weekend scholastic tournaments. These avid club players may get their fill of “serious” chess by competing in a club ladder or one game per lunch period club tournaments. Ideally, the club will cater to all types of players — recreational players as well as the serious tournament players. EVERY member is important to the success of the club.

Should You Start a Scholastic Chess Club?

Should you become involved in starting a club in your school?

Yes! It’s not at all necessary for you to be an “expert” player, or even to know how the pieces move!

Every school in the country has kids who already know how to play chess, and more who would like to learn.

“No one at our school plays chess” is not an acceptable excuse. Most of the time kids are interested in learning and only need someone to organize and supervise them.

This guidebook will help you overcome many of the problems you might face in starting a club.

If you have not already done so, you may want to find out the location of the nearest chess club or scholastic/school club.

The United States Chess Federation (abbreviated USCF) and your state chapter are the best sources of information on officially affiliated club locations, scholastic organizers and coaches in your area.

These contacts can help direct you further in your efforts to organize a club or locate other active scholastic chess programs within your area.

Other information sources include local schools, school district offices, newspapers, libraries, chess and game stores, and your local recreation office. You might also consider contacting your local or state Department of Education.

By all means, you should start a club if you have some support from students and the willingness to expend the moderate amount of energy and leadership it will take to make your club a success.

Gain support from the school board, parents, your principal, and other teachers as soon as possible. Their aid will be useful later as the club becomes more active.

The fact that the National Association of Secondary School Principals regularly includes the National High School Chess Championship and the National Scholastic K-12 Grade Chess Championships on its “National Advisory List of Contests and Activities” may be of value in gaining official support for your club.

Read More…Click Here To Access the Complete Article – A Guide To Scholastic Ches (2009 10th Edition) PDF

U.S. Chess Trust at the SuperNationals! (Results)

U.S. Chess Trust at the SuperNationals!

• CLICK HERE for SUPERNATIONALS RESULTS (Pairings, Standings, Team Standings & Winners)
• CLICK HERE to Check out the SuperNationals Official Website!

U.S. Chess Trust Donors at the SuperNationals!

SuperNationals ( April 3-5, 2009 )

We have received numerous donations at the SuperNationals and would like to thank those who have donated!!

U.S. Chess Trust Donors:

• Marck R. Cobb
• Randolph Dupont
• Lt Col. Kenneth F. Wyzywany
• Dr. Nandita Chadha
• Karmen Omar
• Debora Walker Howard
• Laura Slay
• Chris Prosser
• Jacklyn Paxton
• Korey Kormick
• Chris Baumgartner
• Robert Beufield
• Carol Rokni
• Molly Nesham
• Erlinda Tan
• Miguel Resandez
• Jeremy Higgins

Thanks so much for your support and contributions!  Your support helps us make a difference!

Scholar-Chessplayer Award Recipients Announced

The U.S. Chess Trust’s Chairman/CEO, Harold Winston will present the 2009 Scholar-Chessplayer Awards at the SuperNationals in Nashville, TN (April 3-5, 2009).

The 2009 Scholar-Chessplayer Award Recipients are:

• Adithya Balasubramanian, VA
• Robert Lau, HI
• Haotian Zheng, CT
• Michael Thaler, NY
• Troy Daly, FL

Congratulations to the winners for their outstanding achievement!!

These annual scholarships awarded by the U.S. Chess Trust, the National Scholastic Chess Foundation, and the USCF, are “intended to recognize and encourage high school junior or senior students who promote a positive image of chess”.

Current USCF members (high school juniors or seniors) who have shown outstanding merit in academics, sportsmanship, and chess are eligible to apply for a National Scholar-Chessplayer Award.

Five awards in scholarship money are awarded.

A special thank you to U.S. Chess Trust Trustee, Sunil Weeramantry, who made a donation through his foundation, the National Scholastic Chess Foundation for this award.

The U.S. Chess Trust also contributed generously towards the scholarship award fund as well as the U.S. Chess Federation!

Stay tuned for more information about the Scholar-Chessplayer Awards, the contributors and supporters and much more!

The Trust Proudly Supports the Final Four of College Chess!

The U.S. Chess Trust Proudly Supports the Final Four of College Chess!

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS & UPDATES

The Final Four of College Chess, a UCSF National Event
April 4-5, 2009

Featuring the Top Four USA Schools from the 2008 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship:

* The University of Texas at Dallas
* The University of Maryland, Baltimore County
* The University of Texas at Brownsville
* Stanford University

Spectators are welcome – there is no charge for admission!

This event is sponsored by the U.S. Chess Federation with additional support provided by the U.S. Chess Trust.

Check out the Final Four Website – Click Here

SuperNationals Videos – Check them Out!

Saturday Between the Rounds from US Chess on Vimeo.

Greg Chamitoff’s Speech Highlights from US Chess on Vimeo.

Debbie Gross from US Chess on Vimeo.

Bughouse Highlights from US Chess on Vimeo.

Coach Kevin Fite from US Chess on Vimeo.

Thursday Highlights from US Chess on Vimeo.

Simultaneous Exhibition 4-2-09 from US Chess on Vimeo.

Astronaut Greg Chamitoff from US Chess on Vimeo.

FOX17 News Reports on Supernationals from US Chess on Vimeo.

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