Thursday, January 20, 2011

Texas Tech - SPICE Chess Summer Camp


Learn chess from world champion Susan Polgar and her team. Beginners to advanced K-12 players welcome. Campers will practice writing and computer skills. Sports and other activities offered.

• Commuter Plan: $295/week
Check-in Monday 8am-9am. Camp hours are 9am-5:00pm daily Monday - Thursday. Camp ends at 3pm on Friday. Lunch and snacks included.

• Residential Plan: $595/week
Arrive Sunday 7/10 between 6pm-9pm. Dorm lodging and all meals are included, including dinner on Sunday through lunch on Friday. Camp ends at 3pm on Friday. Residential plan is based on double occupancy. 5-12 Grades only.

Early bird discount: 10% off by April 15, 2011.
Residential plan registration closes June 6, 2011.

See http://www.SPICE.ttu.edu, email SPICE@ttu.edu, or call (806) 742-7742.
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Thursday, January 13, 2011

The annual SPWO will be in Chicago in 2011


Artwork by Mike Magnan

The annual Susan Polgar World Open for Boys and Girls were held in Las Vegas for the past 5 years. Even though the event was very successful, many parents and coaches have asked to have it modified to make it even bigger and better.

Because it was held alongside with the National Open, the dates could not be changed. Many parents said that a number of schools are still not out in early June and quite a few students have finals around that time. They also requested to have the tournament in another more centrally located destination instead of Las Vegas.

Therefore, after consulting with the Polgar Committee, we have decided to move the 6th annual Susan Polgar World Open for Boys and Girls to beautiful Chicago in October during the Columbus Day weekend. This would be much more convenient to all players, including many in the East Coast.

There will be more prizes and scholarships than ever. A new website with all the details will be up shortly.
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Thursday, January 06, 2011

Knight Raiders earn more national titles


Chess Team Earns Four National Titles at Pan-Am Intercollegiate Championships
Written by Karin Slyker
January 6, 2011

Texas Tech has made it into the Final Four, in what some call the World Series of College Chess.

Texas Tech has made it into the Final Four, in what some call the World Series of College Chess. The Knight Raiders are among 30 of the best teams from across the United States and the Americas who traveled in December to Milwaukee, Wis., for the 2010 Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championships. Other teams include Yale, Stanford and the University of Chicago.

This is the second year that Texas Tech has sent a Division I team to compete, and the Knight Raiders made it to the Final Four both times. The A team is now qualified for one of four slots to play in the President’s Cup. Grand Master (GM) Davorin Kuljasevic, GM Andre Diamant, GM Anatoly Bykhovsky and International Master Istvan Sipos will face the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Maryland at Baltimore County.

Diamant also tied with GM Erenburg (UMBC) for best individual performance title on board 2. Bykhovsky received the best individual performance title on board 3.

The Knight Raiders B team tied for first place with Miami-Dade College in the Division II Championship. Its accomplishment is especially remarkable considering Chase Watters, Josh Osbourn, Brian Cassidy, Rebecca Lelko and John Flores entered the competition as a Division III team.

Maraani Kamphorst Diamant, Ananya Roy, Zach Haskin and Brett James also earned first place honors. Their C Team tied with Yale in the Division IV Championship.

In the past two years, Texas Tech has won nine national titles, two state titles and one regional title.

The President’s Cup is scheduled to take place April 2-3 in Washington, D.C.

Source: http://today.ttu.edu
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