Chess Program
Chess News
USM Scholastic Chess Tournament to be held on November 22
Looking to earn a United States Chess Federation (USCF) rating or just to enjoy some games of chess? Look no further! The University School of Milwaukee Chess Club and the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Association (WSCA) invite area students to University School's annual Scholastic Chess Tournament on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the School, 2100 W. Fairy Chasm Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217.
The Tournament will feature four USCF-rated divisions: K-3, K-6, and K-9 (USCF-rated, 6 round Swiss. 30.); and K-12 (USCF-rated, 4 round Swiss. G45.) USCF membership is required to play in all sections. Thanks to generous underwriting from the USM Chess Club, there will be a $7 discount on all new annual USCF memberships purchased at the tournament. One-day tournament membership is available for $7.
The entry fee is $10 per player if registered by 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 20. Students can register online at www.wscachess.org. On-site registration is $15 per player. Entry fees will be paid at the tournament, and checks should be made payable to University School of Milwaukee.
Check-in will run from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Round 1 begins at 9:30 a.m. (players not checked in by 8:45 a.m. will begin play in round 2). Trophies and awards will be presented around 4:30 p.m. At least one designated adult supervisor must be present at all times during the tournament to oversee any team or individual participant in grades K-8. Contact University School's chess program at usmchess@wi.rr.com for more information.
Chess Team Successful Locally and Abroad
The chess team did a great job at the Junior Open in Oshkosh on November 7 and 8. This is a tournament open to anyone 21 and under. USM sophomore James Bowen tied for third place in the open with 4 out of 5 wins. Also in the open were junior Alex Yerukhimov with 3 points and eighth grader Bradley Schlesinger with 2.5.
In the reserve section, sixth grader Sam Schlesinger took first place for his rating class of 900-999 with 2.5 points out of 5. Additionally, sophomores Drew Ivarson, Jacob LeBowitz, and Will Stearns each won two games.
Coach Lange tied for first in Class D in the Veterans Tournament, which was for people over age 21.
Alexander (Sasha) Velikanov, a USM fifth grader, competed in the World Youth Championships in Vietnam. Sasha was in the Open 12 section for people ages 12 and under. Out of 94 players, Sasha took 35th with 6 out of 11 points. His team took third place out of 18 countries!
Congratulations to all players!
USM's Chess Program Continues To Thrive!
The USM Chess Program has enjoyed great success in recent years. There are now more than 100 Lower, Middle and Upper school students involved in the program. USM chess has had strong showings at recent local, state and national tournaments.
First and foremost, however, chess at USM is designed to be fun. Thanks to strong parent volunteer involvement, excellent chess instructors, and dedicated faculty, our Chess program includes:
- An after-school chess club that meets on Wednesdays from mid-October to mid-February.
- Chess classes that are offered at the school, after school.
- Additional chess instruction for students competing at tournaments.
- Participation in Saturday tournaments hosted at USM and other area schools.
- Our Upper School's chess team activities, which include 8 dual meets every year in the City of Milwaukee High School Chess League and the annual City Chess Championships.
- Weekend tournaments around the State, attended by Upper School and some LS and MS students.
- State Scholastic Championships in March in Oshkosh, where USM fields teams comprised of students from all three divisions.
- Spring National USCF Championship Tournament, with students from all three divisions competing.
- Camps and chess classes in USM's Summer IDEAS program.
USM's Chess Club meets on Wednesdays after school from mid-October to February in the middle school dining room. Any student in SK through 12th grade who is interested in attending may do so. The club features chess play and other chess activities, some instruction and various special events, including a year-end party and prize drawings.
The following websites can provide further information:
www.uschess.org, www.wisconsinscholasticchess.org, www.wischess.org
Questions can be directed to Fred Lange, Upper School Math Department Chair and head of the chess program, at 414.540.3449 or flange@usmk12.org. |