Join us for our second annual "Chess Nuts Boasting by an Open Fire" nights on December 11 and 18, starting at 6:00 p.m. at NIC. These evenings will be filled with friendly competition, strategic gameplay, and sharing of anecdotes by the fireside. Whether you're an experienced chess player or a novice, there's a place for you at our chessboard. Plus, an open fire will keep us warm and create the perfect cozy ambiance. So get ready to flex your mental muscles, enjoy good company, and even boast about your chess prowess. Don't miss these exciting evenings of chess and camaraderie!  

Last night’s Beginner’s Chess Club Meet was a grand success! We witnessed some brilliant moves and strategies from players at all levels. A huge applause goes to Logan, who dominated the board with an undefeated 3-0 record to claim the top spot. Milo and Jason followed closely with a 2-1 standing - a testament to their skills and determination.  Eden, Tami, and Josiah, although they had a tough night with standings of 1-2 and 0-3 respectively, brought their best game to the board. Their performances remind us that each game, win or lose, is an opportunity to learn and grow.  Special mention goes to Tami, Eden's mother, who joined the ranks and showed us that chess is a game for all ages. Her participation brought a joyful, family element to the meet and set a wonderful example for other parents. Like me, many of you may remember playing chess with family members in your younger years. Tami’s involvement in our club is a heartwarming homage to those times, and we hope it i...

Join us tonight at 6:00 p.m. at Burger King in Post Falls for the Beginner's Chess Club Meet! No experience necessary - it's a perfect opportunity to meet fellow chess enthusiasts, learn more about this fascinating game, and revel in the season's spirit. To add excitement, we challenge you to solve our Chess Puzzle: It's White's move, with a mate to be achieved in just two steps. Can you decipher White's strategy? Leave your answer in the comments below! All skill levels are welcome, whether young or old, a novice just dipping your toes into chess, or a seasoned player looking to test your skills. If you've been contemplating attending, or if it's been a while since your last visit, there's no better time to come than tonight!  

  The 12U and Beginners Chess Club session on November 30th was a testament to the enduring spirit of chess. Held at the local Burger King, it was a night of intense competition and camaraderie that saw the Davis brothers, Logan and Milo, stand out unbeaten in their games. Under the expert guidance of their father, Nathan, who also coordinated the games, the brothers demonstrated skill and strategy beyond their years. Nathan's invaluable insights and tips during the play were instrumental in helping not just his sons but all participants refine their tactics. We were delighted to see Eden and Josiah, two of our promising players, engrossed in improving their game strategies. A picture of their engagement, which was graciously shared by Tami, is a testament to the focus and dedication of our young club members. As winter sets in, we're keen to keep the warmth of our Chess Club alive. We urge everyone to brave the cold and join us at our next meeting on December 7th. Here's t...

  We are thrilled to announce the outcomes of the highly competitive Winter Blitz Tournament , held on Monday. There were some nail-biting matches and impressive strategies on display. We initially had six participants and used a double round-robin format with a 3/2 time control. However, two participants had to leave after two rounds, resulting in a few adjustments to the game structure. Here are the results per round: Round 1 Results: Grant vs. Leo (Grant won: 2 - 0) Owen vs. Rick (Draw: 1 - 1) Sam R vs. Daniel (Daniel won: 0 - 2) Round 2 Results: Grant vs. Rick (Grant won: 2 - 0) Leo vs. Sam (Leo won: 2 - 0) Owen vs. Daniel (Daniel won: 0 - 2) Round 3 Results: Grant vs. Owen (Grant won: 2 - 0) Rick vs. Daniel (Daniel won: 0 - 2) Round 4 Results: Grant vs. Daniel (Grant won: 2 - 0) Rick vs. Owen (Draw: 1 - 1) The final scores were as follows: Grant: 8 points Daniel: 6 points Owen, Rick, and Leo: 2 points each Sam R: 0 points We extend our heartiest congratulations to all particip...

(Therese and Daniel in total concentration) As the first leaves of autumn fall, we kickstarted our Thanksgiving Chess Challenge on November 20th, an event that saw a cornucopia of talented players coming together in a spirit of friendly competition. Eight masterminds, including the siblings Therese and John Paul Truong (who made their exciting debut), matched wits over the chessboard. After two thrilling rounds, Grant and Daniel emerged victorious, each winning their matches. Daniel made quite the leap on the rating ladder, climbing from 9th to 5th after gaining 31 rating points on the night. We're all eagerly anticipating the chessboard duel when these two titans clash! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we want to thank all participants. We were especially heartened by Ava's comments about Grant's sportsmanship: "Grant was very nice and gave some analysis of some games. He also asked Leo and John Paul to play blitz, which was quite entertaining for all of us." Let...

  The November 16th club meeting was one for the record books. Kudos to Ava for expertly navigating traffic to get us to Burger King and kick-starting the proceedings. We also warmly welcomed our newest members, Tudor and Josiah. Their courageous step in challenging experienced club members deserves applause. Ava tapped into her kids' underused chesskid.com account to introduce exciting chess lessons. The response was overwhelmingly positive. New members Eden, Jimmy, Josiah, and Tudor had a productive session, learning about stalemates and how to execute a perfect King and Queen checkmate. It's heartening to see their enthusiasm for more lessons in future meetings. Now to the tournament results: A total of 10 players took part. Leo proved his mettle by winning all three matches, but the evening star was undoubtedly Jimmy, whose rating took a phenomenal jump of 94 points! Milo and Serena also enjoyed victories, each tasting success in two games. Please note that due to Thanksgi...

  The NIC Student Union bustled with strategic battles and intellectual prowess on Monday, 13th November, as the Coeur d'Alene Chess Club hosted its unique 'Deon's Bracketology' mini-tournament. The event saw nine players grouped into two sections, each showcasing their strategic skills in a bid to climb the club's rating ladder. In Section 1, Deon and Eric led the charge, each gaining an impressive 20 rating points. Deon secured a win and a bye, while Eric held his ground with a win and a draw. Section 2's performance was equally spirited, highlighted by Owen's double victory that propelled him up the ladder from position 10 to 7, with an impressive addition of 29 rating points. Michael deTar also made notable strides, improving his standing by 30 rating points despite splitting his matches evenly. The club didn't register any new members for this event, but members Jonathan, Griffin, Zander, Everett, and Adam are urged to participate in future games to...

  In an intense week of play, CDA Chess Club's veterans and beginners showcased their tactical brilliance and strategic insight. Exciting matches, unexpected victories, and promising newcomers marked the week. The club meeting on Monday, November 6, boasted a strong turnout, with the first round seeing 11 competitors and the second round gaining an additional player, Serena. The club welcomes newcomer Mark, who joined his first meeting and jumped into the thrilling action. A nail-biting standoff between Sam M. and Owen resulted in a draw, hinting at a budding rivalry to watch in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Travis's unexpected victory over Rick created quite the stir, marking one of the week's most notable upsets. Returning to the fray after a few weeks' absence, John made a triumphant comeback with two wins, earning a significant gain of 35 points. However, the player with the most exciting gain of the week was Daniel, whose dual victories saw his score rise by an impr...

  The Halloween Eve chess meeting on 10/30 was undoubtedly a night of intellectual combat and camaraderie. Ava reported an impressive turnout of 11 players who dueled it out over two rounds of rated games, with many engaging in additional unrated matches. The evening extended well beyond the scheduled hours, highlighting the unwaning enthusiasm and dedication of the participants. Significant achievements marked the night. Three players, Deon, Owen, and Sam, emerged victorious in both their matches. Most notably, Sam had an exceptional evening, securing wins over Travis and Grant and elevating his rating to 1308, placing him fifth on our ladder. Owen, a high school senior, further demonstrated the reach of our chess community, representing the North Idaho Scholastic Chess League. Beyond the competitive rounds, the most enriching aspect, as observed by Ava, was the group's vibrant interaction. Brainstorming sessions about game strategies, potential moves, and improvement areas embodi...

  Post Falls witnessed a thrilling chess showdown on Thursday, October 26, at the popular local haunt, Burger King. The event, aptly named the Halloween Gambit Night, saw eight young chess wizards bring the spirit of the Halloween Gambit to life. The evening bristled with an electric atmosphere as chess enthusiasts, beaming with anticipation, went over the Halloween Gambit under the soft glow of the Burger King's sconces. A few brave souls even dared to take the gambit challenge, plunging into the dark depths of the aggressive opening move that so appropriately matches the spirit of its namesake holiday. The tournament was a spectral spectacle of strategy and skill, culminating in a spine-tingling final between Serena and Ewan. Serena seized an opportune moment to gain a bishop advantage by maneuvering her pieces with the precision and strategic mastery akin to casting a spell. This pivotal move turned the game's tide, enabling her to eliminate Ewan's rook and clear the pat...

  In the thrilling chess battleground of October 23, 11 gladiators stepped into the ring, sporting a mix of fresh and seasoned faces. A tumultuous night of cerebral combat unfolded, with only two players, Eric and Leo, managing to dance through the chaos unscathed, each claiming two victims in their strategic sweep. Meanwhile, a memorable duel lit up the night as I squared off against the formidable Grant, not once but twice. Following a crushing defeat in the initial round, I rose from the ashes in a storybook comeback, securing a rare victory against the usually indomitable Grant. We also saw the arrival of a promising newcomer as Rick made his first foray into the club, impressing us with his enthusiasm and gusto. We're eager to see how this new player shapes up in the coming weeks. Looking ahead, we pass the mantle of match pairings to Deon next week, confident in his ability to orchestrate another electrifying night of strategic warfare. Remember, every game counts towards sha...