Chess in the
Antelope Valley
Vol VI No 4
Editor: Daa (day) Mahowald
[email protected]
Table of Contents on page 2.
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Chess -Newsltter of the Antelope Valley
http://chess4.us
1 April, 2015
The City of Lancaster
and the AV Chess House
are working together to
provide Antelope Valley
residents with a highquality Chess Program.
Look what’s being
offered this
Plus
2 upcoming K-8
Chess Tournaments
4/11 & 4/25
Full details on page 2
of this e-newsletter!
Chess in the Antelope
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Local News & Photos
PAGE
TOPIC
1 Spring Chess Program through the City of Lancaster
2 TWO Upcoming K-8 Chess Events!
3 Volunteers Needed @ Poppy Festival
4 2015 AV Scholastic Chess League
5 Photo Caption Contest
Chess Columns
PAGE
COLUMNIST
6 Wiki Traps – commentary by NM Matt Mahowald
7 John Herron – author of the book Total Chess
8 Chess Corner – chesscorner.com
10 NM Ruben Ondangan’s Chess Corner
14 Jack Cashman’s DownBelow Chess News
1 April, 2015
Chess in the Antelope Table of Contents
Upcoming K-8 Events
PAGE
EVENT
1 Spring Chess Program through the City of Lancaster
2 TWO Upcoming K-8 Chess Events!
RegularTOPIC
Features
PAGE
The Monticelli TrapFEATURE
9Opening Mistakes
AV C(Intermediate
HESS OPPORTUNITIES
Lesson)
CHESS FUNNIES
11
12
Please check out our advertisers
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Whether you know how to play chess or not
Volunteer
@ the 2015
Poppy Festival’s CHESS ATTRACTION!
Help bring chess to our community
Dates/Location: April 18 & 19, 2015. Rain or shine! @ Lancaster City Park
Available Volunteer Shifts: 9:30am – 2pm & 2pm – 6:30pm either day
Bonus: Get free entry to the Poppy Festival for you AND your children! Put in your
volunteer time either before or after you and your children enjoy the Festival!
How to sign up to Volunteer: email [email protected]
Other Volunteer Opportunities to Help Bring Chess to Our Community
BEHIND THE SCENES:
- translate English language flyers into Spanish
- prepare and/or sort materials for clubs, classes, and/or workshops
- assist in the printing of flyers and other chess literature
IN THE PUBLIC EYE
- staff a chess booth at a community event, festival, or fair
- staff a Chess Club Recruitment Table at a school
WITH KIDS
- assist a chess club coach, workshop presenter, and/or chess class teacher
- help at a chess events
TEACHING
- become an Assistant Chess Coach
- present Chess Workshops
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1 April, 2015
Chess in the Antelope
Vol VI No 4
Quick Contest:
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1 April, 2015
Come up with the best caption for this picture. Winner and Runner Up will be
acknowledged in the next Chess in the Antelope Valley e-newsletter! Contest deadline:
Wednesday, 4/10/15. To enter, find the picture on Ms. Daa’s facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/daa.mahowald or email your caption to [email protected]
Contest Entries as of 3/13/15:
Donna Marchand Umm, you touch it, you move it.
Pat LaVone It’s the Pavlov Defense. Every time I hang my Knight, you drool.
Michael Roberson This one's for all the bones.
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Legendary singer Ray Charles
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ay-charles/page/3/
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Wiki Traps
A compilation of chess traps – mostly from Wikipedia.
Copyright Creative Commons Deed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_trap
USCF National Master
Matt Mahowald frequently
provides lessons based on
these articles.
The staff of the
Chess in the Antelope Valley
e-newsletter is excited to
present the 2nd in this
occasional feature:
Wiki Traps
This Wiki Trap is:
The Lasker Trap
Position after 5...dxe3
The Lasker Trap is a chess
opening trap in the Albin
Countergambit, named after
Emanuel Lasker. It is unusual in
that it features an
underpromotion as early as the
7th move.
The Albin Countergambit begins
with the moves
1. d4 d5
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 d4
The Black pawn on d4 is
stronger than it appears.
4. e3?
Careless. Usual and better is
4.Nf3.
4. ... Bb4+
1 April, 2015
Master Matt says,
“Grandmasters say to
play Double King Pawns
Openings so you can
understand what you
do wrong!”
5. Bd2 dxe3!
(See diagram.) Now White's best
option is to accept doubled
pawns with 6.fxe3.
Now 7.Kxf2 would lose the
queen to 7...Qxd1, so White
must play 7.Ke2.
7. Ke2 fxg1=N+!!
6. Bxb4??
Blundering into the Lasker Trap.
In an 1899 consultation game in
Moscow, Blumenfeld,
Boyarkow, and Falk playing
White against Lasker tried
6.Qa4+?, but Black wins after
this move also. The game
continued 6...Nc6 7.Bxb4 Qh4
8.Ne2 Qxf2+ 9.Kd1 Bg4
10.Nbc3 0-0-0+ 11.Bd6 cxd6
12.e6 fxe6 13.Kc1 Nf6 14.b4 d5
15.b5 Ne5 16.cxd5 Nxd5
17.Qc2 Nb4 18.Nd1+ Nxc2
19.Nxf2 Rd1 White resigns.
6. ... exf2+
Underpromotion is the key to
the trap. Instead 7...fxg1=Q
8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Rxg1 is OK for
White. Now 8.Rxg1 Bg4+ wins
White's queen, so the king must
move again.
8. Ke1 Qh4+
If White tries 9.g3 then the fork
9...Qe4+ wins the rook on h1.
9. Kd2 Nc6
White is hopelessly lost. After
10.Bc3 Bg4 followed by 11...00-0+ is crushing.
NOTE: Netflix is now live-streaming the movie Life of a King which stars Cuba Gooding Jr.
Both Master Matt and Ms. Daa are extras in this film, with Matt being on screen for almost 3 minutes!
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21 of 43
Lessons from
Total Chess
by John Herron
From the book, “TOTAL CHESS:
Learn, Teach and Play the Easy
1-2-3 Way,” by John Herron,
copyright 2011, reprinted with
permission from the publisher.
Opening Pawn Centers (Intermediate Lesson)
Opening pawn centers arise as both players develop their
pieces and fight for control of the center. The center pawns
form a framework or structure around which the pieces move.
It is important to understand the different types of pawn
centers that can occur, and how to play them. The pawn
center determines the style of the game, and what strategies
will work best.
There are fluid pawn centers and fixed pawn centers. Every
game starts with a fluid pawn center. The center pawns are
free to move, and as they move, the pawn structure takes
shape.
1) Mobile: Center pawns are not blocked and not open to
exchange. Either player may advance a pawn to create a
dynamic pawn center.
2) Dynamic: One or more pairs of pawns are open to
exchange. The coming play will decide how the dynamic
pawn center changes into a fixed pawn center.
3) Dominant: One player has more center pawns than the
other player. Generally, the more center pawns you have, the
better control of the center you have. It is always your goal to
have a dominant pawn center if you can, but it usually does
not happen unless the other player allows it or makes an
opening mistake.
Eventually, a fluid pawn center settles into a fixed pawn
center. When the center pawns are either blocked or
captured, a fixed pawn center emerges. The fixed pawn
center determines the pace and style of the game.
It is your duty in the opening to guide the pawn center into one
that suits your style of play. Some players are aggressive and
attacking by nature. They prefer a fast, tactical game and
should play for an open pawn center. Other players are
passive and defensive by nature. They prefer a slow,
positionalError! Bookmark not defined. game and should
Happy
Chessing
in April!
play for a closed pawn center. Still other players are some of
both. They prefer a medium pace, all-around game and
should play for a semi-closed pawn center. Once you know
your style of play, you can steer your games into the type of
pawn center that suits you best.
1) Open: All or nearly all of the center pawns are gone.
There are no blocked pawns. This leads to a fast, tactical
game favoring an aggressive, attacking player. The best
strategy here is to develop your pieces quickly, castle your
king to safety, and prepare for tactical battles and mating
attacks. If you waste time, you could lose material or be
checkmated in the opening.
2) Closed: Two or more pairs of center pawns are blocked.
This leads to a slow, positional game favoring a passive,
defensive player. Since the center is blocked, the best
strategy is to maneuver your pieces around the center and
prepare for a pawn break on either side of the board. You
have time to build your position because tactics and attacks
come more slowly.
3) Semi-Closed (or Semi-Open): One pair of center pawns
are blocked. This leads to a medium pace, all-around game
favoring a flexible, versatile player. The best strategy here is
to occupy or attack the center squares to improve your control
in the center. Look for an opportunity to advance your center
pawns and take more space, or to establish a dominant pawn
center. Sometimes a semi-closed pawn center will transition
into an open pawn center or a closed pawn center.
Sometimes the pawn center stays fluid until the midgame, or
throughout the whole game. The threat of converting to a
fixed pawn center is always there, though. Pressure from one
player may force the other player into advancing a mobile
center or resolving a dynamic center. Remember, it is your
job to steer the pawn center into one that suits your style of
play..
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chesscorner.com
Overloading
Sometimes a chess piece is overloaded by having more
than one defensive job to do. The overworked piece can
be exploited by capturing one of the pieces it is
defending or occupying a square it is defending forcing it
to leave its other defensive job.
In the diagram below, the Black Rook is overloaded. It is
defending the Bishop and the Knight. How can White
exploit this unfortunate position?
Did
You
Know?
White wins a piece by playing: 1.Bxd3 and after
1...Rxd3 is a piece ahead after 2.Rxb7
In the diagram below can you see which of Black's
pieces is overloaded and how White took advantage of
it?
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1 April, 2015
AV CHESS OPPORTUNITIES
FOR ALL AGES
USCF-rated Monthly 4 RD SWISS Tournament 10am – 3pm, 2nd Sunday-of-every-month USCF-rated, LOC AV Chess House. PZ 1st
Place 50% of combined entry fee, 2nd Place 25% FEE $10 if pd at least 10 days prior; $15 if email registered 3 days prior, $20 if
email registered at least 1 hour prior. RDs 10:10; 11:20; 12:30; 2:00 USCF req. CONTACT: [email protected]
AV Checkmate Sunday Tournaments 2pm – 7pm 1st & 3rd Sundays. PZ TBA. REG at door. RDs TBA. USCF req. CONTACT:
[email protected] 661-917-7628
Unrated Monthly 3 RD Chess Tournament 10am – 2pm, 1st-Saturday-of-every-month. LOC AV Chess House FEE $7. PZ 1st Place
$15, 2nd Place $10. RDs 10:15, 11:30, 12:45. CONTACT: [email protected]
Improve Your Chess Play with Private Lessons Individual and small-group private chess lessons for Beginners, Beyond Beginners, and
Intermediates of all ages. LOC AV Chess House. CONTACT: [email protected]
Bring Chess to Your Client Base Whether you work with seniors, preschoolers, families, special-needs populations, etc.
The AV Chess House can provide a chess program tailored to your needs. CONTACT: [email protected]
Get Your “Chess Match” USCF-rated Only $1/person/game. CONTACT: [email protected]
FOR KIDS
March & April Chess Activities for K-8
See pages 1 & 2
Girl Power Chess Camp Chess learning experience for K-8 girls, all skill levels Details coming soon!
Have a Chess Match with Another School Several Scholastic Chess Clubs in the Antelope Valley are eager to hold a Chess Match with
other Scholastic Chess Clubs in the AV. If your school is looking for a Chess Match, CONTACT: [email protected]
Boy Scout Chess Merit Badge To earn a Boy Scout Chess Merit Badge or Cub Scout belt with Ms. Daa, CONTACT: [email protected]
Start a Chess Club at Your Child’s School Students who participate in a once-a-week Chess Club reap numerous benefits, especially
improvement in math and reading skills. To learn how to start a CHESS CLUB, CONTACT: [email protected]
FOR ADULTS
Chess Club 1 – 4pm Thursdays. LOC AV Senior Center, 777 West Jackman St, Rm 105, Lancaster Free, casual chess CONTACT:
Casual Chess at Starbucks A free, casually-organized group of chess players meets at different Antelope Valley Starbucks at a
variety of days and times. CONTACT: John Buck 661-816-1423 or Christian Mercado 661-406-0798
Chess in the Antelope Valley
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Antelope Valley’s
NM Ruben Ondangan’s
Chess Corner
Wow! A new milestone. I earned an
Original Life Master (300 games as a
Master) Title!
Heads up for our annual Spring
Open! Hope you can join the gang on
March 29 at the Masonic Lodge, 44702
Cedar Avenue, Lancaster, CA. For full
details, email [email protected]
A coffee shop that always has a
chessboard ready for me — It’s a Grind
Coffee House in Lancaster.
Chess in the Antelope
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Chess Funnies
Page 11 of 14
1 April, 2015
Chess Tactics Workbook
(4th edition)
by Al Woolum
Retail Price
Bulk Price
Sale Price at the AV Chess House
$15
$13
$10
Contact [email protected] for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/daa.mahowald
Free USCF-rated Chess Tournaments in Whittier CA
http://www.chess.com/members/view/Whittier_Chess_Club
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Support chess in the Antelope Valley by patronizing our advertisers!
Our Kindergartener Curriculum includes academic enrichment through chess!
Want to see your name in print?
Want to see your name in print? This e-newsletter will happily oblige! Just submit some chess news with an Antelope
Valley tie. For example, if you live in the Antelope Valley, write about a chess tourney you played in, even if it wasn’t held in
the AV. Or, if you’re NOT from the Antelope Valley but you played in a tourney here, write about that. Including one or two
notated games would be great!
There are lots of other ways to get a byline in the Chess in the Antelope Valley e-newsletter. Write a book review on any
chess book published on or after January 1, 2000. Write a family-friendly fiction story with a chess theme. Submit an original
chess joke or cartoon. Interview a local chess champion (names and contact info can be provided by this newsletter’s editor).
Give a first-person account of how you earned your Girl Scout Creativity Badge through chess or your Boy Scout Chess Merit
Badge. Write an essay on “Why I Love Chess” or “How Chess Has Improved my Life” or . . .
Just about any contribution to this newsletter will enable you to see your name in print although you might want to run
your idea past this newsletter’s editor at [email protected] before you put a lot of work into it.
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ILead Lancaster First Grade Community
February 19 at 10:32am ·
1 April, 2015
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Jack Cashman’s
Ventura County Chess Club meets Monday evenings, starting at 6:45. Grace Lutheran Church (6190
Telephone Road) across from the Government Center. Casual play and USCF Rated Tournaments; all
skill levels and ages. Free chess lessons. Website vcchess.com.
Sea Knights Chess Club meets Thursday afternoons at 4:00 at NBVC Port Hueneme – base access
required. For information, contact Brian Curran at [email protected]
City of Port Hueneme Chess on Tuesdays at 4:00 for beginners and all others. For information contact
the Community Center at (805) 986-6542. http://www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=257
Camarillo Leisure Village Chess Club meets on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 12:00. For
residents and their guests. Chess lessons for beginners are available. For information contact Tim
Hughes 805-384-9079.
Junior (K-5) Chess Tournaments are being held monthly in Camarillo for those who live, work or
school in Camarillo. Information at http://vcchess.com/tournaments.htm
Ventura Youth Chess League provides youth chess activities and training in the Thousand Oaks area.
Contact Woman International Master Simone Liao for more information
http://www.venturayouthchess.com/index.html
Newbury Park Chess Challenge classes at the Borchard Community Center (Teacher: Jack Cashman)
Saturday afternoons. Registration and information at http://www.crpd.org/programs/default.asp
Thousand Oaks Chess Club. Monday evenings. 6:00 - 8:45. Goebel Adult Community Center (next to
Library). Casual play and USCF Rated Tournaments; all skill levels and ages. For information Contact
Cindy at [email protected] Website: http://tochessclub.org/
Conejo Valley Chess Club (300 Giant Oak Avenue, Suite E, Newbury Park) offers chess activities
including rated chess. For information contact [email protected]