INTRODUCE CHESS TO CHILDREN

Transcription

1 LET THE FUN BEGIN! The British Land UK Chess Challenge 2008 Anyone under 18 years old can take part. Tournament starts Spring 2008 in your school.

2 INTRODUCE CHESS TO CHILDREN The British Land UK Chess Challenge is the best way to introduce children to chess. The tournament has run since 1996, and last year a staggering 72,000 children from over 2,000 schools and chess clubs took part. Any one can play even complete beginners and everyone gets the encouragement of scoring points, winning badges, gold spots and other prizes. This formula has worked brilliantly over the years, because, whatever your strength, you will always find someone to match you. So chess is not simply a competitive pastime, it s a game for all the family and, above all, a friendly game. Kind to teachers The tournaments are easy to run, the rules are clear and simple and, in the first stage, there is no travelling between schools. The tournament takes place within the school, with only one lunch time or after school session to run every week. The enthusiasm generated by the Challenge amongst the children is phenomenal and heart warming, and for many of them the Challenge can open their horizons to the intellectual world, giving them confidence and a skill which they never believed they could acquire. Chess is a level playing field for both boys and girls There are no physical disparities in chess playing, girls and boys can compete on equal terms. At present, fewer girls play chess than boys. The UK Chess Challenge has encouraged thousands of girls to take up the game, and motivates them by providing separate sections and qualifying opportunities in the early stages. Besides the overall top prize of 2,000, there is a special prize of 1,000 for the top girl in the tournament.

3 Aspirational as well as educational Whilst encouraging thousands of new players of all ages to take up the game, The British Land UK Chess Challenge also provides a ladder of achievement stretching from complete beginner up to British Champion. The tournament is run in four distinct stages. The first stage is held within schools and clubs in the Spring Term. From that melting pot come the qualifiers for the second stage... The Megafinals There are approximately 8,000 qualifiers who compete in 36 different county or area Megafinals for the titles of Supremo (boys) and Suprema (girls). These events take place during April and May on either a Saturday or a Sunday. After reaching this stage the best players can then qualify for... The north and south Gigafinals Numbers by now are reduced to about 2,000 powerful players who will strive with might and main to win the titles of Ultimo (boys) and Ultima (girls) and over 6,000 in prize money. These events take place in July. There are 65 Ultimi and each takes home a trophy and a cheque for 100 plus the right to take part in the fourth and final stage of the competition... The Terafinal This is limited to the top 65 qualifiers from the 3rd stage plus about 200 runners-up who compete in Challengers Sections. Adding to the fun, parents and siblings are able to play in a friendly Relax with Chess event at the same time, for trophy prizes. In the Terafinal and Challengers sections the rewards are massive. There is a top prize of 2,000 for the overall winner, 1,000 for the Top Girl, 1,000 for the Top Under 11 player and 300 for the Top Under 9 player. Any player who reaches this stage of the competition is a true champion and a credit to their school and their parents. Overall, on this final weekend in August, over 10,000 in prize money is awarded.

4 CHESS BOOKS Mostly written by tournament organiser and chess teacher with 25 years experience Mike Basman. Activators: all you need to know 3.99 An excellent introduction with brilliant cartoons. Beginner to Winner in 2 Months 6.95 The text book for schools, full of exercises on captures, safe moves, threats, etc. A foundation course! CHESS EQUIPMENT Starting Chess by Pat Armstrong 1.95 Six mini games for beginners, lucidly explained by a retired primary school teacher. Manual for Chess Teachers 5.95 Advice in preparation and content of lessons, based on experience in teaching chess in schools. Two Birds with One Stone 3.95 The standard book on tactics eg. fork, pin, discovery, skewer Most schools have a collection of chess sets if not, equipment is extremely cheap, durable and available from Audio Chess, 7 Billockby Close, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2ED. Chess sets, containers and boards Chess sets have 3 plastic kings and boards are high quality roll up plastic with 1¾ green and white squares. This size of set and board has proved ideal for school chess clubs. Individual set plus box, plus board 10 each post free. Special Offer of 10 sets plus containers plus boards postage Total 80 Chess pairing board new Specially made for this event. Allows for up to 32 players to be paired against each other each week. Every board is supplied with a pack of 40 pairing cards. 30 each post free. Special Offer buy 2 pairing boards for 60 and get 1 more free! Chess demonstration board A marvellous visual aid. Simply a giant slot in chess board with 3 squares that hangs on the wall in the classroom and enables you to demonstrate chess positions to a whole class of children. 30 including postage. Chess clocks A wonderful double-headed invention that allows both players to be timed. A must for matches against other schools to stop time wasting! Only 28 each including postage. Secrets of Chess 3.95 Fundamental opening traps, end game and middlegame sequences. A must for all new players! Mate in One Move 2.25 Mate in Two Moves 1.25 Find the Mate 2.95 Three books to teach the art of checkmate through the solving of puzzles. Silent Encounter: a chess movie 2.95 The easiest way to learn an opening. The famous Giuoco Piano is described move by move. Chess Openings 9.99 Five major openings discussed in depth. Logical Chess Move by Move by Irving Chernev The classic work on positional play, published 1948, never been bettered! UFOs or: Play like an Alien 1.95 A vital and neglected part of chess. Leaving unguarded, focused attacks, opening/closing lines are themes that occur in every game from beginner up to Grandmaster. This is the only exposition of these themes. Drama Kings and Queens 1.95 Eight question and answer games from some of the most dramatic encounters on the chess board. Lasker Lectures new Dr Emanuel Lasker became World Chess Champion in 1894, a title he held for 27 years. On his return to London in 1895 he gave a series of lectures which were later published in a book called Common Sense in Chess. International Chess Master Mike Basman has re-examined these lectures bringing the ideas up to date and showing how valuable Lasker s ideas are to beginners and strong players alike. Each of the lectures will be discussed in 12 separate pamphlets, each one costing 95p. The whole set can be obtained for the special price of postage. Don t miss the opportunity to learn from the brilliantly incisive mind of one of the greatest World Champions who ever lived. All these books available from Audio Chess, 7 Billockby Close, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2ED. Telephone: Add 50p postage on all books; maximum postage 3. Also available from with pay on line facility!

5 HOW TO ENTER The competition is open to schools and junior chess clubs. Enclosed with this booklet and poster there should be an entry form which you can fill in, and send with the entry fee to The British Land UK Chess Challenge 7 Billockby Close, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2ED Telephone: Alternatively you can print an entry form off, or enter and pay on line via our website Special offer to teachers If you are a beginner or inexperienced at chess or have never run a chess club before our free copy of the book Teaching Chess the easy way to learn, written by International Master Mike Basman, will give you all you need to know. Apply for this book by contacting the above address or [email protected] Also available free online lessons Bronze and Silver level for beginners and intermediate players. Highly regarded! Visit and enter your details.