Below are some of the many articles that have appeared on the WSCF web site.
| “Our vision is to provide elementary school students the opportunity to develop essential life skills such as the power to think ahead, make good choices, and think analytically. As classrooms have become increasingly diverse, it was important that we design our First Move program with tools that bridge social, economic, and cultural boundaries, in order to narrow, and eventually close the achievement gap.” |
| “Kids see chess as a game; they don't realize the powerful learning that goes on while they play. Teachers see students picking up math concepts more quickly, a better aptitude for reading comprehension, a new sense of focus and more courtesy towards others. First Move is offered during the School Day as a supplemental curriculum to the existing core curriculum. Our focus is not on competition or tournament play, but rather in the thinking skills that are an inherent part of chess.” |
| “Chess-in-the-Schools" is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to improving academic performance and building self-esteem among inner-city public school children.” |
Chess - One of Ten Ways to Make Your Kid Smarter - from MSN Health & Fitness
Play mind games Chess, crosswords, cryptograms, riddles—they all train the brain to perform mental gymnastics. Games like Sudoku can be fun while promoting strategic thinking, problem-solving and complex decision-making. Keep brainteasers around the house and challenge your children to help you solve the trickier problems.
Click here for the full article
C-Ball ?... Basketchess?... Just plain Cool !
Call it what you want; Please enjoy this video from TNT and the NBA showing the incredible similarities between two popular games.
Notes: click on the "x" to lose the advertisements, This will play in HD and Full screen!
Green Bay Scholastic Chess in the news Janelle Peotter is a social worker at Anne Sullivan Elementary School in Green Bay Wisconsin. She runs the after school Chess Club. Janelle has worked with the WSCF to hold chess tournaments at her school. Her chess club is very popular and more than 50 students stay after school to participate. Recently Janelle was featured on the local TV news. She is the Channel 5 "Terrific Teacher of the month." Hillary Golston of WFRV TV in Green Bay reports how Janelle's chess club gives students the opportunity for growth in a lot of areas. Studies have shown that chess skills help give students better problem solving ability in other areas. Janelle says the chess club gives the kids a real sense of accomplishment and helps increase self esteem. Congratulations to Janelle and all the chess club members at Anne Sullivan Elementary School. |
285 Participate at 2009 Grade Level Championship
On Saturday March 7th 2009 285 players from 68 schools throughout Wisconsin converged on the Marion Center in St. Francis for the 2009 Grade Level Championship. Winners of this special championship received medals, trophies and scholarships.
Jordan Smith, a seventh grader from Erin School in Hartland won the top prize in his grade and received a $100 scholarship for 1st place in the 7th & 8th grade combined section.
David Kosy, a senior at Hamilton High school in Sussex won the top prize in his grade and received a $100 scholarship for his 3rd place finish in the combined High School section. Eleventh grader Andrew Grochoski from Cudahy High School won the top prize in his grade and received a $100 scholarship for his 2nd place finish in the combined High School section. Andrew Gorectke, a 9th grader at New Berlin West High School won the top prize in his grade and received a $200 scholarship for his 1st place finish in the combined High School section.
Click here for results Click here for photos
The Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation is proud to announce it will award Scholarship Funds to winners at 4 upcoming scholastic chess tournaments. According to WSCF founder and President, Bob Patterson-Sumwalt, “The WSCF is dedicated to promoting scholastic chess as a means to academic achievement. The scholarship funds we are awarding this year are a great way for our organization to meet that objective.” In addition to trophies and medals, we will award scholarship funds at four upcoming tournaments.
February 28th 2009 The 4th Annual All Girls Tournament.
$1000 in total scholarship funds will be awarded.
We are thrilled to offer this wonderful tournament held at Devine Savior Holy Angels High School, a private “All Girls” school.
Click for details.
Click for Results
March 7th 2009 WSCF 2009 Grade Level Championships.
$500 in total scholarship funds will be awarded.
Players compete against others within their own grade. The tournament will be held at the Marion Center in St. Francis.
Click for details.
Click for Results
March 28th The 4th Annual March of Champions Tournament.
$1000 in total scholarship funds will be awarded.
At the Mother Katherine Daniel's Center in Milwaukee.
Click for details. Click for Results
April 18th - 19th The 2nd Annual WSCF State Championship.
$1500 in total scholarship funds will be awarded at the Kalahari Water park Resort and Convention center in the Wisconsin Dells.
Winners in all 4 sections will be eligible for scholarship awards.
Click for details. Click for Results
From NBC Nightly News, Chess - making kids "more teachable"
A short video clip from the NBC Nightly News demonstrates how chess is used at over 50 Washington D.C. public schools. Explaining how chess has helped the students in her classroom, Jacqueline Bruce-Yamin, teacher at Thomson Elementary, says "It's not just about this one game. It's about behavior, discipline and problem solving." Bruce-Yamin goes on to say chess is giving the children a "whole new dimension of thinking that they are not getting from other places". See the short clip at the MSNBC website link below. You may have to view a short advertisement before the clip begins.
Mequon's parent-driven chess club : A model for Success
Members of the Mequon Scholastic Chess Club worked hard last year. They took chess lessons from their teacher, played chess against sometimes formidable opponents, completed take-home worksheets, and were expected to master chess notation.
But they also got to wear cool T-shirts, worked their way up a chess ladder, competed in tournaments, visited a water park, attended a pizza party, and earned year-end awards.
That’s the key to the club’s phenomenal success, says Ben Wong, one of its two parent coordinators. “We want to make sure the kids not only learn chess, but also have fun.”...
Click here for the full article
Second graders learn the language of chess
At La Escuela Fratney, a bilingual school in Milwaukee, students learn to speak both English and Spanish. But those in Christina Fernandez’s second-grade class also are learning to communicate through chess.
Fernandez couldn’t be more pleased.“It’s like learning another language,” she said of her students’ involvement in the First Move chess curriculum she’s taught in her classroom this year. “Mentally, they’re making new connections, and learning how to think and problem solve in new ways,” she said. “And their ability to concentrate has improved as well.”
Click Here for the full story
Chess Empowers Young Minds
by Bob Patterson-Sumwalt
There are many myths and stories about the origins of chess. According to David Shenk, author of The Immortal Game: A History of Chess, one of the oldest myths tells of two successive Indian Kings, Hashran and Balhait. King Hashran asked his sage to invent a game symbolizing man’s dependence on destiny and fate...
"My Brilliant Brain - Make me a Genius"
The National Geographic Channel investigates the age-old question of Nature verses Nurture in this special series. My Brilliant Brain - Make Me a Genius features Susan Polgar, the first ever female chess grandmaster. She wasn't born with her brilliant brain, it was "created". Follow her dramatic training, which started at an early age.
Click Here for the full video (47 minutes).
Broadband connection recommended
WSCF Partners with Boys & Girls Club to offer Chess Coaching Course.
This course is for parents, coaches and teachers who want to manage a chess club or class but have limited or no knowledge of the game of chess. Participants will learn how to play chess and how to manage a chess club. People will learn about resources available to people to teach chess to students and the why’s and how’s of motivating students and having a growing and thriving chess club. This eight week course begins March 17 at the Mary Ryan Boys and Girls Club at 3000 N. Sherman Avenue in Milwaukee and meets from 7:00 to 9:00.
Click Here for full information Click Here to Register for this course
The USCF SUPERnationals IV tournament is just around the corner!
Join your teammates and friends at this years, USCF SUPERnationals IV, April 3-5, 2009. Every four years the USCF schedules the three spring national tournaments, elementary, junior high and high school, in one location. This years event is being held at the luxurious Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel & Convention Center, in Nashville TN.
Register now to reserve your seat for the trip to the Supernationals. This year, WSCF has reserved two buses to try to accommodate all the players, parents and coaches wanting to attend the event. To get the details download the itinerary.
Click here to register and pay on line or download a registration form and mail to our P.O. Box.
Rose Glen holds 2nd annual chess tournament
On Saturday March 14th, 2009 107 players from 31 area schools competed at Rose Glen Elementary School in Waukesha. This is the second year for the tournament at Rose Glen and a nice increase in the turn out - up from 85 participants last April.
In the K-3 section, the powerful team from Blair Elementary school in Waukesha captured the top team trophy. The talented team from Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego won top honors in the K-6 section. In the K-12 section the team from Ronald Regan College Prep in Milwaukee grabbed the first place trophy.
Click here for results Click here for photos
285 Participate at 2009 Grade Level Championship
On Saturday March 7th 2009 285 players from 68 schools throughout Wisconsin converged on the Marion Center in St. Francis for the 2009 Grade Level Championship. Winners of this special championship received medals, trophies and scholarships.
Jordan Smith, a seventh grader from Erin School in Hartland won the top prize in his grade and received a $100 scholarship for 1st place in the 7th & 8th grade combined section.
David Kosy, a senior at Hamilton High school in Sussex won the top prize in his grade and received a $100 scholarship for his 3rd place finish in the combined High School section. Eleventh grader Andrew Grochoski from Cudahy High School won the top prize in his grade and received a $100 scholarship for his 2nd place finish in the combined High School section. Andrew Gorectke, a 9th grader at New Berlin West High School won the top prize in his grade and received a $200 scholarship for his 1st place finish in the combined High School section.
Click here for results Click here for photos
DSHA Hosts 2009 Girls Championship
On Saturday February 28 2009 Divine Savior Holy Angels High School hosted the 4th Annual WSCF All Girls Scholastic Chess Championship. 62 girls from 26 area schools attended. "We had a wonderful tournament!" Exclaimed Chief TD Sherryl Sager. "DSHA is a beautiful place to host the All Girls Championship. The generosity of www.goddesschess.com helped put together the biggest Scholarship package we have ever offered, and the 62 players made this the largest All Girls event in WSCF history." explained Sager.
In the K-3 Section, the first place trophy and a $100 scholarship went to Sabrina Huang, a 2nd grader from Glen Park Elementary School in New Berlin. The talented team from Goodrich Elementary School in Milwaukee grabbed the top team trophy in K-3.
Older Sister Alena Huang, a 3rd grader, also from Glen Park Elementary School in New Berlin took home the top trophy and a $200 scholarship in the K-6 section. The gifted team from Brookfield Academy won the first place team trophy in the K-6 section.
The 2009 WSCF Open All Girls Champion is Anjana Murali, a 7th grade student from Shorewood Intermediate School in Shorewood Wisconsin. Anjana received a $400 scholarship along with her 1st place trophy. The 2nd place trophy and $200 scholarship went to Joanna Huang (what a talented group of sisters!) a 9th grader at Eisenhower Middle High School in New Berlin. The 3rd place trophy and $100 scholarship went to Danae Alexander, 9th grader at Milwaukee School of Languages.
Thanks to all those who helped make this tournament such a great success ...
Ben Wong for his excellent photos. www.goddesschess.com for their generous funding, and Triniti Malone and the staff and volunteers at DSHA, We thank You! Click here for results Click here for photos
Wisconsin Gradelevel Championships Fast Approaching - Volunteer's Needed
The Wisconsin Gradelevel Championships is scheduled for Saturday March 7. Details for awards, scholarships and divisions can be found on the flyer for the tournament on the registration page. This newsletters intent is to remind participants, parents and coaches of the deadlines for registrations and the volunteer needs.
The Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation is proud to announce it will award Scholarship Funds to winners at 3 upcoming scholastic chess tournaments. According to WSCF founder and President, Bob Patterson-Sumwalt, “The WSCF is dedicated to promoting scholastic chess as a means to academic achievement. The scholarship funds we are awarding this year are a great way for our organization to meet that objective.” In addition to trophies and medals, we will award scholarship funds at three upcoming tournaments.
February 28th 2009 The 4th Annual All Girls Tournament.
$1000 in total scholarship funds will be awarded.
We are thrilled to offer this wonderful tournament held at Devine Savior Holy Angels High School, a private “All Girls” school.
Click for details.
March 7th 2009 WSCF 2009 Grade Level Championships.
$500 in total scholarship funds will be awarded.
Players compete against others within their own grade. The tournament will be held at the Marion Center in St. Francis.
Click for details.
March 28th The 4th Annual March of Champions Tournament.
$1000 in total scholarship funds will be awarded.
The 1st place winner in both USCF and WSCF OPEN sections will receive a $500 scholarship at the Mother Katherine Daniels Center in Milwaukee.
Click for details.
Very Successful Tournament at Blair Elementary
Blair Elementary School held its first WSCF Scholastic Chess Tournament Saturday February 21st 2009 in Waukesha. Despite some wintry weather, 128 players from 29 area schools attended. "This is an excellent turnout for a first tournament." Stated WSCF Chief TD Sherryl Sager, "Especially considering the weather". The Waukesha area was blanketed with 5 to 7 inches of winter wonderland on Blair Tournament Day.
In the K-3 Section, the talented team from the Montessori School of Waukesha won the first place trophy. The unstoppable teams from Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego took home the top prizes in both the competitive K-6 and WSCF Open Sections. That's an impressive Four First Place Trophies in the past two Saturdays for Lake Denoon. Wow! Click here for results Click here for photos
Thomas Jefferson 2009 - 6th Tournament in 4 years!
Thomas Jefferson Middle School held its 6th WSCF Scholastic Chess Tournament Saturday February 7th 2009 in Port Washington. 70 players from 22 area schools attended. Over the past 4 years a total of 468 players have played more than 2700 tournament games at Thomas Jefferson.
In the K-3 Section, the talented team from Donges Bay Elementary School in Mequon won the first place trophy. The powerful teams from Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego took home the top prizes in both the competitive K-5 and K-8 sections. The home town favorites, Thomas Jefferson High School took the top spot in the Open section. Click here for results Click here for photos
64 students play on 64 squares in Sheboygan
64 players from 21 area schools attended the 3rd annual Sheboygan Christian School Chess tournament Saturday January 31st 2009. 64 is also the number of squares on the chess board.
In the K-3 section, the team from St. John the Baptist School in Plymouth captured the top Prize. In the K-6 section, the team from Golda Meir School in Milwaukee took home the first place trophy. In The Open section, the talented team from Southern Door High School won top honors.
Click here for results Click here for photos
Chess is the Cure for Cabin Fever at St. Bernadette’s
143 players from 32 area schools braved the cold Wisconsin weather for a chance to get out of the house Saturday January 17, 2009. Many southeastern Wisconsin schools have been closed for the past two days due to the bitter cold wind chill. Today, the temperature climbed well above zero, and scholastic chess players welcomed the chance to get out and play some chess.
"Because we were closed Thursday and Friday, we didn't have the chance to get things all set up, especially for such a big turnout" explained tournament host Ann Bohn. "We had to scramble to find enough tables and chairs for the skittles area." she said. Most of the players, parents and coaches were very understanding, many volunterred to help carry chairs to the skittles area and assist in other ways.
One unique feature at St. Bernadette’s is the K-2 section, which is limited to players in kindergarten, first and second grade only. “It’s nice to give the littlest ones a chance to play in a section where everyone is about the same size. It helps reduce the intimidation factor” Bohn said.
In the K-2 section, the team from Montessori School of Waukesha took top honors. In the K-5 section, the "Knights of Lake Denoon" from Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego won the first place trophy. In the K-8 section, Rose Glen Elementary from Waukesha took home the first place trophy. Click here for results Click here for photos
2009 Richards Chess Tournament Sets Record
Lots of records were broken at the 6th Annual Richards Elementary School Chess Tournament Saturday January 10th, 2009 in Whitefish Bay. The tournament has been held every year since 2004, and is now the longest running annual event in WSCF history. Richards has never failed to draw in excess of 100 players, and over the past six years a combined total of 825 players have completed more than 4700 games of chess at the Richards tournament!!!
This year 145 players from 27 schools competed in 3 sections. In 2009 we welcomed 10 new players (all 2nd graders) from La Escuela Fratney to their first WSCF tournament. 
Two young brothers, Awonder Liang, (kindergarten) and his older brother Adream Liang (2nd grade) traveled from their home in Madison to take on the top competition in the K-8 section. When the dust settled, Adream earned the 5th place trophy, Awonder came in 10th, and the pair grabbed the 3rd place K-8 team trophy for their school, Van Hise Elementary.
In the K-3 Section, the talented team from the University School of Milwaukee won top honors. This is the second year in a row that USM has taken 1st in K-3 at Richards. The Gifted team from Golda Mier School in Milwaukee took home the 1st place trophy in the K-5 section. The powerhouse team from Magellan Day School in Fox Point took the top spot in the K-8 section. Magellan also won 1st in K-8 at last years tournament. Click here for results Click here for photos
From NBC Nightly News, Chess - making kids "more teachable"
A short video clip from the NBC Nightly News demonstrates how chess is used at over 50 Washington D.C. public schools. Explaining how chess has helped the students in her classroom, Jacqueline Bruce-Yamin, teacher at Thomson Elementary, says "It's not just about this one game. It's about behavior, discipline and problem solving." Bruce-Yamin goes on to say chess is giving the children a "whole new dimension of thinking that they are not getting from other places". See the short clip at the MSNBC website link below. You may have to view a short advertisement before the clip begins. Click here for the video
Packed Club & Team Tournament overflows with Waukesha Chess Goodness!
The WSCF held a special scholastic tournament at Steinhafel's Conference and Education Center in Waukesha on Saturday December 20th 2008. The space was filled to capacity with 94 players representing 23 Clubs & Teams in attendance. The location helped draw many participants from the Waukesha area. In addition, many players enjoyed playing for their "Club" rather than their school. The Montessori School of Waukesha dominated both K-3 and K-6 sections to capture the top spot in those 2 sections. The WCC - Waukesha Chess Club - won top honors in both the WSCF and USCF open sections. Congratulations to all the great participants. Click here for results Click here for photos Click here for USCF event summary
Notes from the USCF K-12 Championship
The popularity of chess in our state is growing, especially among children, and Wisconsin scholastic chess players are gaining national recognition. Last weekend, Dec. 12-14, Over 1200 of the top scholastic players in the nation gathered in Orlando Florida for the USCF K-12 Nationals. This is a "Grade Level" style tournament where players compete only against others in their same grade. Ten lucky players escaped the Wisconsin winter to compete in sunny Florida: Pranav Kulkarni, Tommy Schneider, Austin Boardman, Nick Schammer, Taylor Roughen, Ben Kimball, Awonder Liang, Adream Liang, Claudia Schneider, Derek Sachs.
After winning her first round, 2nd grader, Claudia Schneider was paired against one of the the top players in her grade. Unfortunatly she lost, but her game is featured in an article on the USCF website. Click here to read the article and see Claudia's game. In the 6th grade section, Tommy Schneider won 5.5 out of 7 to bring home the 10th place trophy. Congratulations to all the Wisconsin players who competed. And one more thing... Next time you go to Florida in the middle of Winter... Take me with you! Click here for USCF event summary
Chess is More Fun at Thomas More !
St. Thomas More High School hosted it's 2008 Scholastic Chess tournament on Saturday December 13th. Fifty one players from seventeen area schools attended the tournament. Six Game/30 rounds were completed just before 2 p.m. In the K-3 section, the team from St. John the Baptist School in Plymouth Wisconsin won the first place trophy on tie breaks, edging out the team from St. Joseph's School in Big Bend Wisconsin. In the K-6 section, the powerful team from Golda Mier School in Milwaukee crushed the competition to grab the top trophy. Taking top honors in the K-12 section was the home town favorite, the St. Thomas More High School chess team from St. Francis.
Click here for Results Click here for Photos
December 20 - Club & Team Tournament with USCF section in Waukesha
On Saturday December 20th the WSCF will host a special Scholastic Club and Team tournament at Steinhafels Waukesha store. There will be 3 WSCF sections and a USCF open section. This will be a combined Swiss style tournament with Individual and Team Prizes. In addition to Teams comprised of players from the same school. Club Teams are also eligible to enter.
“Club” Teams can be formed from existing clubs and can have students on the team that attend different schools. The clubs must have met at least 4 times and cannot be put together solely for this tournament. Any club that has been meeting regularly and has scholastic members are eligible to have a team. School Teams will be comprised of teams members from school of attendance as in past tournaments. Club teams will only be allowed for this special tournament.
Huge Turn out = Huge Fun at Donges Bay Tournament
On Saturday December 6th Donges Bay Elementary School hosted their 2008 chess tournament. A record 162 players from 30 area schools attended. "This is a proud day for scholastic chess and the WSCF" proclaimed WSCF president and founder Bob Patterson Sumwalt. "Donges Bay is the site of our very first WSCF tournament almost 5 years ago on January 24th 2004". he said.
In the K-3 section, the home town favorites Donges Bay Elementary captured the first place team trophy. The talented team from Golda Meir School in Milwaukee grabbed the top spot in the K-5 section. In the K-8 section, the Magellan Day School team from Fox Point took home the top honors. Two teams tied for
first place in the K-12 section with 5 points each. On Tie breaks, the Homestead High School team from Mequon won the first place trophy and the Assata High School team from Milwaukee took second.
After the last round concluded, the players played BINGO while waiting for the awards ceremony to begin. There was a door prize awarded to Reid Seghers who correctly guessed the number of M&M's (924) in the Jar.
Click here for results Click here for Photos
Face Painting Fun at Goodrich Tournament
Players at the 2008 Goodrich Elementary chess tounament had a great time on Saturday November 15th. This year the players were able to have their faces painted by UWM art history student Deven Zender. The talented teams from Montessori School of Waukesha took home the top trophies in both the K-3 and WSCF under 600 sections. The Magellan Day School team from Fox point captured first place in the WSCF Open section. University School of Milwaukee grabbed the top spot in the USCF Open section.
Click here for results Click here for Photos Click here for USCF Event Summary
Thomas Jefferson Middle School 2008
Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Port Washington, held it's fifth Chess tournament Saturday October 11th 2008. 52 students from 20 schools competed in 4 sections. Donges BayElementary School from Mequon won the top team trophy in the K3 section. The team from Golda Meir School in Milwaukee won first place in the K5 section. Home town favorites, Thomas Jefferson Middle School took the top spot in the K-8 section, and Homestead High School grabbed top honors in the K12 section. Congratulations to all who attended!
Click here for the Photos Click Here for the Results
Holy Trinity Mega-Meet October 8th 2008
The Holy Trinity Mega-Meet is an informal chess playing opportunity and warm-up for the season. It fosters children's abilities to meet new chess players from other schools and play in a low key fun environment. All kids Pre-K through 8th grade are welcome.
The 2008-2009 scholastic chess season got off to a great start at the Milwaukee Public Museum Saturday September 27th. "This is a really nice turn out" said WSCF president Bob Patterson-Sumwalt. One hundred and three players attended from forty five different schools.
We were honored to have a special guest. USCF "Life Master" Dr. Sheldon Gelbart was on hand to provide post game analysis to any player that wanted help. "What a great bonus!" exclaimed Cheif TD Scott Sager. "I hope lots of players had a chance to take advantage of Dr. Gelbart's knowledge and experience."
In the K-3 section the team from St. John the Baptist school in Plymouth took home the first place trophy. Shorewood Intermediate School grabbed the top spot in the Under 600 section. The WSCF Open first place trophy went to the Lake Denoon Middle School team from Muskego. In the USCF rated sections, The team from Stormonth Elementary in Fox Point grabbed first place in the Under 800 section, and the powerful team from Bay View High School in Milwaukee took top honors in the USCF Open section. Congratulations to all who attended!
Click here for the Photos Click Here for the Results Click Here for USCF
Special Event! - Grandmaster Maurice Ashley to Speak and Simul in Madison!
International Grandmaster and scholastic chess advocate Maurice Ashley will be in Madison Wisconsin on Friday August 15th for a series of talks and simuls. GM Ashley will also play a Blitz against Brian Luo, top rated 10 year old in the nation The simuls are open for scholastic chess players in 2 categories. The 9:00 a.m. simul is open to unrated youth under the age of 18. The 2:00 p.m. simul. Is open to youth players rated 1400-1800. Register now to be one of the select few to compete against the grandmaster. Click here for the registration form.
WSCF Awards First-Ever Scholarships to Top Area Players
Chris Brown, a senior at Nicolet High School, is the winner of a $500 scholarship from the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation. Brown, of Fox Point, earned the award by finishing first in the 12th grade division of WSCF’s Grade Level Championship Tournament, held this year in St. Francis. A total of 275 students participated in the event.
“It was pretty exciting to win a scholarship for playing chess,” said Brown, who will attend the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in September.
Second graders learn the language of chess
At La Escuela Fratney, a bilingual school in Milwaukee, students learn to speak both English and Spanish. But those in Cristina Fernandez’s second-grade class also are learning to communicate through chess.
Fernandez couldn’t be more pleased.“It’s like learning another language,” she said of her students’ involvement in the First Move chess curriculum she’s taught in her classroom this year. “Mentally, they’re making new connections, and learning how to think and problem solve in new ways,” she said. “And their ability to concentrate has improved as well.”
Click Here for the full story
"My Brilliant Brain - Make me a Genius"
The National Geographic Channel investigates the age-old question of Nature verses Nurture in this special series. My Brilliant Brain - Make Me a Genius features Susan Polgar, the first ever female chess grandmaster. She wasn't born with her brilliant brain, it was "created". Follow her dramatic training, which started at an early age.
Click Here for the full video (47 minutes).
Broadband connection recommended
USCF Elementary Nationals results Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 9 – 11, 2008
Twenty Three Hundred Students from across the nation competed recently at the USCF Elementary National Tournament in Pittsburgh. Wisconsin was represented by 76 students and 16 teams. Individual top winners were John Veech, 9th place in the K – 6 open division; Sarfaraz Mohammed, 3rd place from New Berlin in K – 6 U1000 division ; Thomas Poulette 5th place and Daniel Michaels 8th place in the in the K – 3 unrated division. Top placing teams were Magellan in 4th place in the K – 6 open; 9th place University School in K – 1 Open division, 4th place University School and 6th place Mill Valley in the U900 division; 5th place Chegwin Elementary, Fond du lac , in the K – 6 Unrated and 1st place Elmwood Elementary from New Berlin in the K – 3 Unrated.
USCF High School Nationals April 18 – 20 Atlanta Georgia
The 2008 United Chess Federation High School Nationals were held in Atlanta Georgia on April 18 to April 20 with over 1200 students and 212 teams competing. Nearly 100 students and 18 teams from Wisconsin participated with Wisconsin representing the fourth largest state with contestants out of 38 states competing. Top individuals winners were Derick Sachs, 2nd Place with 6.5 points from Seymour in the U1600 Division; Vince Paasch 3rd Place with 6.5 from Fries Lake in the U1200; Alex Hanke , Champion in the U800 from Waupaca with 6.5 points ; and Thomas Tyler, Champion from Neenah in the unrated division going undefeated with a score of 7 and O. Top teams from Wisconsin were Milwaukee School of Languages placing 11th in the U1600 division and Waupaca placing 2nd in the U800 division. Students and Teams marked in bold are Wisconsin players and schools.
Click here for results Click here for Photos
On Saturday April 26th University School of Milwaukee hosted the 3rd Annual All Girls chess tournament. 59 players from 20 area schools attended. The talented Team from Golda Mier School in Milwaukee picked up the first place team trophy in the K-3 section. In the K-6 section, the Powerful Knights of Mill Valley team from Muskego won top honors. The team from University School of Milwaukee grabbed the top spot in the K-12 section.
Click here for results Click here for Photos
Rose Glen Hosts Successful Chess Tournament
On Saturday April 12th Rose Glen Elementary School in Waukesha hosted it's 1st Annual chess tournament. 85 players from 21 area schools attended. The talented Team from Montessori School of Waukesha picked up the first place team trophy in the K-3 section. In the K-6 section, the Powerful Knights of Mill Valley team from Muskego won top honors. The top four places in the K-6 section were won by Mill Valley players. The Seghers Brothers, Evan and Reid, finished first and second respectively. Chris Tillson and Jorin McGuire placed 3rd and 4th.
Click here for results Click here for Photos
Chess + Waterpark = Fun by the Gallon!!!
On Saturday and Sunday April 5th and 6th the WSCF hosted it's 1st Annual WSCF K-8 State Championship at the Kalahari Waterpark Resort & Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. 112 players from 43 schools attended. The tournament had 4 sections. The K-3, K-5, and K-8 sections were completed on Saturday. The Championship section concluded the final round on Sunday.
The skillful team from Donges Bay Elementary School in Mequon took home the top trophy in the K-3 section. The talented team from Mill Valley Elementary School in Muskego grabbed the top spot in the K-5 section. The Thomas Jefferson Middle School team from Port Washington took home the first place trophy in the K-8 Section.
In the Championship Section, the team from Magellan Day School in Fox Point grabbed top honors. The 2008 WSCF K-8 Champion is John Veech, a 6th grader from Magellan Day School. John won the top trophy and scholarship with a perfect 5-0 tournament. Second place went to 8th grader Andrew Gorectke from New Berlin West Middle School. Sixth grader, Raimonds Lauzums, from Whitefish Bay Middle School won an exciting G/15 tiebreaker against 5th grader Tommy Schneider to grab 3rd place.
Click here for results Click here for Photos
Lots of New players at Richards Elementary
On Saturday March 8th Richards Elementary School hosted it's annual chess tournament. 138 players from 20 area schools attended. "I'm always happy to see new players attending our WSCF tournaments." said tournament director, Sherryl Sager. "We have about 40 new players here today including a group of 10 new players from St. Monicas' School." she said.
The talented team from University School of Milwaukee grabbed the top trophy in the K-3 section. The powerful teams from Magellan Day School in Fox Point took home the top prize in both K-5 and K-8 sections.
Click here for results Click here for Photos
Grade Level Championship hosts 275 participants
On Saturday March 1st 275 chess players ages kindergarten through 12th grade were on hand to play for the honor of being State Champion in their grade. This year for the first time, WSCF awarded a $500 scholarship to the winning senior, Chris Brown from Nicolet High School. This fall Chris will be attending University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. In August WSCF will send a $500 check to the bursar's office in Chris's name. Congratulations to all the fine players that competed this year!
Click here for results Click here for Photos
In the Spotlight - Golda Meir Chess Team
The chess team from Golda Meir School has sent us some links to their school web site. They have a really nice school. The school building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school is also a 2007 Blue Ribbon winner, one of only 5 in Wisconsin. They have a lot to be proud of at Golda... Take a Look!
Main web page Calendar page with chess photos Chess Coach Mark Holland
Chess in Milwaukee at Messmer Catholic High School
70 Scholastic Chess players from 28 southeastern Wisconsin schools competed at Messmer Catholic High School, Saturday February 23, 2008. Competing in his first WSCF tournament, Messmer 11th grader, Stephan "Chessman" Jones took home the top individual trophy in the K-12 section.
The Golda Meir team from Milwaukee grabbed the top trophy in the K-3 section. The Magellan Day School team from Fox Point won the team trophy in the K-6 section. The team from Friess Lake School grabbed the top trophy in the K-12 section.
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Chess in Brookfield at Brookfield Academy
163 Scholastic Chess players from 42 southeastern Wisconsin schools competed at Brookfield Academy Saturday February 16th.
The Montessori School of Waukesha team grabbed the top trophy in the K-3 section. The talented team from Mill Valley Elementary School in Muskego won all three individual trophies and the team trophy in the k-5 section. The Templeton Middle School team from Sussex won first place in the K-8 section. The local favorite Brookfield Academy team took top honors with a first place win in the K-12 section. Click here for results Click here for Photos
Colorful Team Spirit at Saint Bernadette's
83 Scholastic Chess players from 16 southeastern Wisconsin schools congregated at St. Bernadette's School Saturday February 9th. Some of the "Goodrich Girls" from Goodrich Elementary in Milwaukee, showed off their team spirit with colorful red and blue streaks in their hair. Tournament host Ann Bohn made sure every participant took home a trophy or medal. "At Saint Bernadette's, everyone is a winner!" she said.
The University School team from River Hills grabbed the top trophy in the K-2 section. The talented team from Golda Meir School in Milwaukee won all three individual trophies and the team trophy in the k-5 section. The local favorite Saint Bernadette's School team took top honors with a first place win in the K-8 section. Click here for results Click here for Photos
Newsworthy Chess at Sheboygan Christian Tournament
70 Scholastic Chess players from 24 southeastern wisconsin schools gathered at Sheboygan Christian School for a fun filled day of chess. Newspaper reporter Janet Ortegon and photographer Sam Castro from the Sheboygan Press photographed and interviewed some of the players and parents during the tournament held on Saturday January 26th. "The tournament went well, and every participant took home a trophy or a medal." said Sheboygan Christian principal, Cory Navis.
The home town favorite Sheboygan Christian School team won top honors In the K-3 and K-12 sections. The team from Golda Meir School in Milwaukee won the top trophy in the K-6 section. Click here for results Click here for Photos
JCC Draws Players from 3 States
Scholastic Chess players from Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin converged on the Jewish Community Center Winter Chess Tournament held on Sunday December 30th 2007 in Whitefish Bay Wi. "I'm really delighted to see players traveling so far to attend our tournaments." said Bob Patterson-Sumwalt, President of the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation. "We have a lot of great chess events coming in 2008 and we are thrilled to welcome scholastic players from near and far." He said.
In the k-3 section, the team from Donges Bay Elementary School in Mequon took home the first place team trophy. The Magellan Day School team from Fox Point won the top trophy in the K-6 section. Repeating their JCC Fall 2007 victory, the team from Whitefish Bay Middle School took top honors in the K-12 section. Click here for results Click here photos
Chess at the Home of the Chargers!
The Hamilton School District held a tremendously successful Chess Tournament at Hamilton High School in Sussex Wi. on Saturday December 15th. 98 players from 28 schools attended. The main tournament hall was set up in the lobby of the Hamilton Fine Arts Center. The skillful team from the Montessori School of Waukesha grabbed the top trophy in the K3 section. Magellan Day School teams from Fox Point, defeated all challengers in both K6 and K12 sections to win top honors.
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Chess in Port Washington at TJMS
Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Port Washington, held it's fourth Chess tournament Saturday December 8th 2007. Sixty three students from eighteen schools competed in three sections. Mill Valley Elementary School from Muskego won the top team trophy in the K5 section. Home town favorites, Thomas Jefferson Middle School won first place in the K8 section. In the USCF rated K12 section, the team from University School of Milwaukee captured the top honor.
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Blizzard View at Fairview Elementary Chess Tournament
Oh the weather outside is frightful. Inside the Gym , the chess is delightful !... at the Fairview Chess Tournament, Saturday December 1st, 2007. For the second year in a row, Southeastern Wisconsin was a winter wonderland on Fairview Tournament Day. This time however, the snow held off long enough for us to complete most of the rounds. "We shortened the tournament to 5 rounds" said tournament host Deborah Zagorski-Biermann "To give everyone a chance to get home before the snow got too deep." 95 players, from 30 area schools competed. Orchard Lane Elementary School from New Berlin "Plowed" through the competition to take the first place team trophy in the K-3 section. The Knights from Mill Valley Elementary School in Muskego "Slid" easily into first place in the K-5 section. The team from Elmwood Elementary School in New Berlin took first place in the K-8 section. Milwaukee School of Languages grabbed first in K-12.
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Good Chess = Good Fun @ Goodrich
133 fun loving scholastic chess players from 31 area schools played some really good chess at the Goodrich Elementary Chess tournament in Milwaukee, Saturday November 17th 2007. The skillful Knights from Mill Valley Elementary School in Muskego captured the first place team trophies in both the K-3 and K-6 divisions. The team from Magellan Day School in Fox point navigated a course to the first place trophy in the K-8 division.
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White Rock chess tournament sets attendance record
184 scholastic chess players from 43 schools converged on White Rock Elementary School in Waukesha for the annual chess tournament Saturday November 10th. "This is a very impressive turnout." Said WSCF president Bob Patterson-Sumwalt. In March 2006 about 80 players attended, then the number jumped to 129 players in November 2006. "We may have to look to the Rec Center for additional space next year." said White Rock coach Chris Seaman. New Berlin's Elmwood Elementary School took home the first place trophy in the K-3 division. The Magellan Day School team from Fox Point grabbed the first place trophy in the K-6 division, and the team from Whitefish Bay Middle School took home the top trophy in the K-12 division.
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27 Winning girls got their Saturday off to a great start at the 1st Annual WSCF All Girls Fall Classic chess tournament. With the first round starting at 8:45 a.m., it was an early start to a super day of chess. "I'm very pleased with the turnout", said WSCF president Bob Patterson-Sumwalt, "It's encouraging to see so many new faces." he said. Goodrich Elementary School brought an impressive team and took home team trophies in two divisions. The Donges Bay Elementary team took home their first ever 1st place team trophy.
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Meet the WSCF Chess Instructors
We believe one of the keys to our success is the quality of our instructors. All of our instructors are selected for their chess experience and knowledge as well as their ability and desire to teach children. WSCF instructors are committed to following our curriculum and taking responsibility for each child's progress in his or her knowledge of chess. In addition, instructors are expected to maintain or advance their own playing level by participating in yearly training sessions and USCF rated tournaments.
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Chess Champions Battle for First Place Trophy
August 18, 2007 - 42 scholastic players competed Saturday at the Schroeder YMCA chess tournament in Brown Deer WI. In round 5, Parker Sumwalt and Greg Reese Jr. paired off to determine who would bring home the first place trophy in the K-6 division...
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Chess Empowers Young Minds
by Bob Patterson-Sumwalt
There are many myths and stories about the origins of chess. According to David Shenk, author of The Immortal Game: A History of Chess, one of the oldest myths tells of two successive Indian Kings, Hashran and Balhait. King Hashran asked his sage to invent a game symbolizing man’s dependence on destiny and fate...
Chess In The Classroom: Good Move!
By Priscilla Pardini
Eight-year-old Isaiah Richardson recently had some news to share with his second-grade teacher Kathy Andringa. “My dad’s getting promoted,” he told her, “just like the pawn.” Andringa couldn’t have been more pleased – and not just about Isaiah’s dad’s new job. She’d been teaching chess in her classroom for only a few weeks...
The Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation (WSCF), formerly Milwaukee Area Scholastic Chess Association (MASCA), is a 501(c)(3) non profit association dedicated to promoting chess for our youth in greater Milwaukee and Wisconsin. WSCF coordinates scholastic chess tournaments at area schools, operates a chess school with qualified instructors who follow the WSCF curriculum, offers services through the WSCF chess club coach program, conducts chess club management seminars for parents and teachers, and provides chess club start-up grants.
P.O. Box 170843, Milwaukee, WI 53217-9998 Phone: (262) 573-5624
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
