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.

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.

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

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

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. 

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