WORKSHOP MONDAY, OCTOBER 9

NYChessKids Columbus Day Workshop On October 9

Not only did the United States observe Columbus Day, the day was also the 30th anniversary of the first National Chess Day, originally designated by President Gerald Ford in 1976.

NYChessKids held a chess workshop and afterwards, a party to celebrate. 17 students attended from many different schools: Horace Mann, P.S. 116, Ramaz, Trevor Day, and Lower Lab School. The workshop was held from 10am-3pm on Manhattan’s 31st St between 2nd and 3rd.

Unlike other camps that NYChessKids holds, this occasion was different as there weren't any video games available during the day or playground time, so the chess study was more intense. Students began with the traditional “warm-up” session where they were matched up against each other in a series of informal games.

Sometimes games were stopped in-progress in order to switch opponents, and give the students a variety of kids to play against. The session lasted for about 45 minutes, and by that time surely everyone’s brain was awake!

Everyone, kids and teachers, eagerly dashed to the refreshments table after an informal-but-concentrated first session. The second session began after the break, and the students were divided into two groups, led by the two International Masters present.

Milos Scekic led a young group of students with a projector lesson where he refreshed their recognition of basic, but important, tactical themes.

Saudin Robovic led an older group through a number of games and positions they were required to solve.

Chris Maks worked with a very advanced student on his on opening preparation.

Soon it was time for the pizza to arrive and a nice lunch at the workshop.

After lunch the students had “tournament-style” games, with notation and clocks, followed by analysis. The games were hard-fought, with the tussle between Maddie and Kadhir the last game to finish; it ended as a draw in a Q+P vs. Q ending. The teachers analyzed the games with the students once they were completed. After that, before the party started at 3, the children received a final lesson on the projector screens.

For more pictures, please go here.