Sunday, December 6, 2015

High School League Play Begins

KML Chess Players won Varsity Round 1 against St. Mary’s Springs. In Round 2, New Berlin West edged us out for the team win, despite wins from Ted on Board 1 and Isaac on Board 3. KML was narrowly defeated again in Round 3 by Hartland Arrowhead, although Ted won Board 1 and Luke won Board 2. 

Isaac and Luke each achieved rating upsets in their wins. Hooray for Olivia who picked up two wins in the JV section.

Most importantly, many players took notation, so we’ll have some great game situations to show everyone when we meet on Wednesday.

Our next opponent is Hartford High School in Round 4, at Hartford, on Tuesday, January 12.


Monday, November 23, 2015

KML Federation Grade School Chess Teams Compete at Holiday Folk Fair

Two KML Federation Chess Club teams finished third at the Holiday Folk Fair tournament hosted by the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation. Players from Morning Star and St. Lucas participated in the K-3 and K-6 divisions. Congrats to these players! KML Federation grade schoolers are invited to play chess at KML Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30. See the schedule right here on this blog.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

KML Chess Club Begins October 7

Anyone interested in learning chess and improving their game, please join us for KML Chess Club meetings Wednesdays beginning October 7 in Room 1166. Questions? Send an email to Angie Molkentin, Chess Club Advisor, at chess@kmlhs.org.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

2nd Annual KML Chess Camp is Complete

What a week we had! With the help of our KML High School chess players and alumni, we were able to give very strong instruction time and attention to each camper. Join me in thanking the high school students who gave their time this week to teach our campers.

Below are a few photos and memorable moments. If you have any feedback about camp, please contact us at chess@kmlhs.org, or leave a comment here on this blog. Also contact me if you have questions about how to facilitate your child’s advancement in chess. 

We hope your students continue to play improve.

 Beginner Section
 Intermediate Section
Are pawns pieces too?
 Our motto.
 There's no crying in chess.
 Make your pieces happy!
 Finding a better move.
 Team Phil in Charger Duel.
 Shake hands before and after play.
 Learning opening principles.
 Keep your pieces safe.
 Coaching from Zach.
 Zach teaches, "harass your opponent with tactics."
 What do we like about this position?
 Can you find a better move?
 I did it!
 Mass simul with coaching.
Tactics puzzles.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Want to increase focus and attention span? Chess!

This study reminded me of the benefits of playing chess. I have seen children who could not sit still in many situations actually sit still for 45 minutes while totally focused on a chess game. In today's world, we need activities that will provide counter balance to the modern skill of sifting and sorting the increasing amount of information coming at us from all directions. Think about it!

Here's the latest research on our shrinking attention spans:
http://drudgegae.iavian.net/v2/r?n=0&s=18&u=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/our-attention-span-is-now-less-than-that-of-a-goldfish-microsoft-study-finds-10247553.html

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Join Us for 2015 KML Chess Camp, June 15-18.

Details can be found by visiting the KML web site, or click here.

KML 2014-15 Chess Club Accomplishments

This season has come to an end. Here's a look back at our KML high school players' accomplishments this season:

  • Taught one another, encouraged and pushed each other to improve.
  • Began our online club at chess.com.
  • Scrimmaged well against Wisconsin Lutheran High School and Kewaskum High School.
  • Learned chess notation for improvement.
  • Invited, taught and served as role models for 15 grade school players.
  • Ate a lot of pretzels.
  • Had fun!
  • Competed in four tournaments:
    • Holiday Folk Fair 11/21
      • 3rd place Team K12 Division
      • Ted 2nd Individual K12 Division
    • Scenic Moraine Chess Conference 12/7
      • Ted 1st Individual for 9th graders, 8th individual overall
    • Goodrich Chess Tournament 1/17
      • 1st Place Team K12 Division
      • Ted 5th Individual K12 Division
      • Phil 6th Individual K12 Division
    • Scenic Moraine Chess Conference 3/7
      • Phil 12th Individual, Varsity Section
      • Ted 15th Individual, Varsity Section

Club Awards this season:

Persistent Pawn Award:

  • Dylan
  • Olivia


Quiet Knight Award:

  • Isaac
  • Zach S.


Brotherhood of the Bishop Award:

  • John
  • Andy


Rook-ies of the Year:

  • Luke
  • Xander


Club MVPs:

  • Phil
  • Ted


King Leadership Award:

  • Joe

Thursday, January 29, 2015

KML Hosts Kewaskum H.S. Chess Players




We're prepping for the conference tournament on March 7 with a scrimmage with players from Kewaskum High School. 

Sunday, January 25, 2015

ARTICLE: "Chess in Schools: Bringing the Classic Mind Game to Life"

Here is a great article on the value of chess in schools, sent to us by Mr. James Carlovsky of Martin Luther College. He is still looking out for our club!

Here's my favorite quote from one of the chess instructors in the article: "I want (my students) to be the most creative person at the table in the corporation. I want them to be the person who, when others say there is no solution here, they say, 'Oh, there are lots of solutions.’ ”

http://national.deseretnews.com/article/3327/Chess-in-schools-bringing-the-classic-mind-game-to-life.html#exqbwmpHmYteYxfy.99

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Goodrich Chess Tournament Results

They wanted to win and they did it. First place in K-12 division at the Goodrich Chess Tournament today. Ted and Phil placed 5th and 6th overall with 4 wins each to lead the effort, while the others provided the depth needed to win as a team. From your club advisor's perspective, the most impressive thing about today is that you took NOTATION in your games. That means players are committed to improving.
And, I'm also thankful that KML chess players cheer on our younger players. Here they congratulate Arthur from Pilgrim Lutheran who played in the K5 division and achieved 3 solid wins.