Championship bids at Stockton

Who are these players? Where did they come from?

BayAreaChess Stalwarts at the Grade Level States

The advance entries are up and it is a pleasant surprise that the top seed in all Grade 1-8 sections except Grade 5 are BayAreaChess stalwarts. In fact, in Grade 4, the Top 5 players are Bay Area Chess regulars.

I will try to cover the exploits of our players live from Stockton.

++SA

Giving Thanks in Santa Clara - Mission City

The Thanksgiving State Championship Tournament in Santa Clara has 110 entries in the Main Event (players rated over 1000) and 49 entries in the developmental event (new and under 1000 players). At this rate, I am hoping to exceed the expected 166 paid target entries for prize fund of over $8,100.

5 International Master, 2 FIDE Masters, and 5 National Masters help raise the prestige of the event and the each and every entry gives it the stature of a major event.

If you are planning to attend, please register now as your entry helps the momentum. Whether you can attend or not, please tell your friends so that we can set the stage of major events in Northern California.

Links: Register, More Info. on the Main event, More Info. on Developmental event (new and under 1000 event)

++SA

More Boards in More Places - For Real!

We took Bay Area Chess's mission of putting "More Boards in More Places" to a new level by putting some boards at a Taco Bell in Walnut Creek. If you stop by the Taco Bell at Walnut Creek please thank them for hosting us for the tournament.

Chingun Bayaraa is not even 4 but he beat the Taco Bell district manager in a friendly game.

Many customers stopped by and expressed interest in the

game and admiration for the strength of the young players.

The turnout could have been higher if we had reached out to more people and some locals would have joined us. However, it was great fun with the usual sporty Bay Area Chess parents and players.

Many customers stopped by and expressed interest in the game and admiration for the strength of the young players. The turnout could have been higher if we had reached out to more people and some locals would have come to us.

The Taco Bell staff helped us present the trophies.

++SA

November to Remember: State Championship Month

There are two marque tournament this month that you shouldn't miss.

• State Open & Class Championship in Santa Clara (map) after thanksgiving
• Grade Level Championship in Stockton on Nov on the weekend before thanksgiving

If you are in a BayAreaChess afterschool enrichement team, you are encouraged but not required to attend the tournaments unless you are in the following teams:

1. Granada 7th and 8th graders (defending State Champions - 8th grade)

2. Encinal 4th graders (strong team)

3. Nueva's rising stars

4. Palo Verde 3rd graders

For State Open & Class Championship, everyone will play others in their rating class (generally within 200 rating points). Please register at your earliest convenience...

1. Online at myBayAreaChess (after logging in at BayAreaChess.com/my)

2. By mail using

a. Form for new and rated <1000 href="http://bayareachess.com/events/ccc09k.php">here for more info.

b. or Form for rated over 1000 [Choice of 3-day (11/27-29) or 2-day (11/28-29) schedule. Click here for more info.

For Grade Level Championship in Stockton is for players in PK-12 and everyone plays other kids in their grade level. If you are part of BayAreaChess enrichment program, please send the following information via email to contact@BayAreaChess.com. The entry fee is only $35 and North Stockton Rotary donates $5 to BayAreaChess for every entry we send.

• Name
• USCF ID
• Grade
• DOB
• Address
• Phone
• Email

Tale of Two Cities: Tournament on 10/24 @ San Jose & 10/25 @ Hillsborough

Dear Good People,

We are putting "More Boards in More Places!" with two tournaments this weekend in two cities... Both count for the tournament requirement for Team programs and Club players are also welcome.

1. Saturday, 10/24 @ BayAreaChess Office in San Jose (4423 Fortran Ct., Suite 160, San Jose, CA 95134 - map).
2. Sunday, 10/25 @ The Nueva School in Hillsborough (6565 Skyline Blvd, Hillsborough, CA 94010 - map).

Here is what is on the menu...

1. Morning Swiss in 4 sections, 10am-2pm (max 4pm) has 4 sections for levels from new to rated under 1400. Trophies for all with winning records and top teams. Prizes for others.
2. Evening Quads, aka Round-robin (4:50-6:50pm). Quads can be rated or unrated. Trophies for all with winning records. Prizes for others.
3. Morning $uperSwiss in 2 sections in HILLSBOROUGH ONLY, 10am-7pm. Cash prizes projected $600 based on 33 entries ($1,000 based on 44 entries)

The Tournaments 1 and 2 are for players rated under 1400 (Quads are for Kids only) and Tournament 3 is for players rated over 1200.

Please see here for orientation.

To register for any of these events:

1. Please login at http://bayareachess.com/my/login.php. (If you do not have a myBayAreaChess, please click on Need to Sign-up? link).
   
2. Then click on "1-Day Tournaments" and register at http://bayareachess.com/my/membership.php?membertype=2_BayAreaChess

Please let me know if you have any questions.

All the best!

++SA

Far, Far Better Thing and the Golden Rule

He asked me, "Why do you spend so much time with Bay Area Chess at the expense of your income?"

Charles Dickens helps me answer by replying, "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known." [A Tale of Two Cities] I get satisfaction from knowing how Bay Area Chess continues to enrich lives of so many people. As I grow older that becomes more important than my net worth and corporate power.

Why?

Our children are growing up in a more complicated world than we experienced in our time. They have to face making hard decisions earlier in life with more unknowns. Chess develops the brain muscles they need to be more effective in making these big decisions. I want to equip my children to make better decisions for the right reasons even when I am no around.

Then someone else asked me, "Why do all kids have to do what you want your kids to do?"


The Golden Rule (also known as "Ethic of Reciprocity") advises us to "wish for others" what you "wish for yourself." I am convinced of the underlying principles and the basis for the Golden Rule and my actions reflect that. Homeowners know that the value of their home depends on its neighborhood. Only a fool would build a multi-million dollar in bad neighborhood.

In the context of decision-making, the "people" are an important part of making better decisions. They provide information and exert influence on the outcome. My family and I are influenced by these social networks and they benefit from knowing good people.

I am going to stop before I make myself cry. Seriously!:)

Your thoughts?

++SA