01/01/08
Welcome to the American Chess Coaching pages
for 2008. Its incredible how fast 2007 went by, like it was yesterday. Anyways,
its a new year, one in which I look forward to traveling through with I hope as
much success if not more as I had in the past and I wish the same for you.
Meanwhile, take a stroll through these pages as I try and bring you interesting
articles, lessons and facts about chess. While you're here, sign my guest book
and drop me a line when you can.
Leopold Lacrimosa
Monday 092208: Congratulations to the following individuals for
their excellent performances at the Tornado Scholastic Chess Tournament this
weekend:
4th grade Kevin Burke 4pts. 1st place tie; 4th grade Alex
Wakefield 3pts. 11th place; 4th grade Anay Gupta 3pts.
20th place; 4th grade Nikash Hari 3pts. 24th place.
HCLC 1st place team
Once again, my students have made me the winningest coach in Phoenix!
092108My friend NM Joel Johnson give us insight into the
preparation a master player makes before the event of a big match. Read his
article: Preparing for "The Match" here
091809 Congratulations to my student Hannah Dromiack
for
making the student counsel at her school!
090208Here's a nice little jewel of a game where my
opponent walked into a prepared trap:
082908Began a new Super-Group last night with several
strong kids, almost all of them over 1000 rating. The first night saw some
terrific games played.
Bellow is my end of the month summery for Aug on my http://www.chess.com games:
082608 Had a very interesting first class at my Esparanza
school today. I had taught there for 4 yrs before turning it over to another
coach for the last 3 yrs as I went to another school. Well I'm back and I had 29
kids there in the club (a nice manageable number), but the most interesting
thing was there were about 4 or 5 younger siblings of kids I had taught when I
was was the coach prior to today.
I came across an interesting copy of a pamphlet entitled 100 Shortcuts to
Chess Victory compiled by George Koltanowski for Church's Fried
Chicken National Chess Program. There's no date on it, but I'm sure its from the
early 70's. If anyone has some information, I'd be grateful.
082508 Here's a humorous chess video I came across on you tube:
Most of my classes are starting up this week with the remaining three to start
next week. I taught at Pinnacle Peak this morning. They were my winningest team
last semester and are already chomping at the bit to get to play in tournaments
this semester.
082108 I came across this nice game when looking over material to teach one of
my private lesson students:
Carlos L. Cruz - A. Delgado
Cuba 1992
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 The Nimzoindian Defense. I really hate the
Nimzoindian as White. I always found it to be difficult to play against and have
amassed a horrible record against this opening. That's why I recommend it to my
students to play as Black. You don't have to do a lot of memorization, just
learn a few key points and ideas to this opening and voila'...you have an
opening that terrorizes White players below expert level. 4.Qc2 0-0 5.a3
Putting the question to the bishop. I think White could do better by developing
his other pieces instead of the pawn move. 5...Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 b6 7.Nf3 Ne4
Black has a nice centrally placed knight outpost.
Position
after 7...Ne4
Position
after 14.Rad1
KingLeopold