CDA Chess Club News

We are pleased to announce the results of our July 1 meeting. The event featured two-round mini-brackets based on ladder rankings, offering thrilling and competitive play for all. Top Brackets: William, Mike, and Alex emerged as the top players in their respective brackets. Alex's Impressive Gain: Alex had an outstanding night, gaining the most ladder points with an impressive 39-point leap. New Participants: We welcomed 16 players, including new additions to the chess ladder: Melissa, Everett, and Brooksley. Next week, we kick off the 3-week "Chess For Success" tournament, featuring two rounds each night for six rounds. Registration for the first night is not required. Reminder: There will not be a beginner's club meeting this week due to the 4th of July holiday. Seats are filling fast for this coming weekend's Starbucks Monthly (register here). We are also getting a lot of interest in the CDA Chess Regional Summer Quads. Now is the time to register for this ...

The excitement from our last meeting continues to resonate as we prepare for another enriching session on June 13. If you missed our previous event, there's no need to worry—this is your chance to dive into the fascinating world of chess with a focus on the legendary Paul Morphy's Opera Game. Last week, we had an amazing discussion about the strategic brilliance of the Opera Game. Our new and returning members found it a valuable learning experience. This week, we're taking it a step further by engaging in practical exercises to help you grasp this classic game's intricacies. During our upcoming meeting, attendees will get the opportunity to replay the Opera Game themselves. By reading the chess notation of the game, you'll improve your skills and gain a deeper understanding of chess language and strategy. To prepare, we recommend watching a short video that explains how to read chess notation. This will give you a solid foundation and boost your confidence during...

The Summer Solstice Chess Tournament concluded with an exciting finale. Players battled it out over three weeks of intense matches. In the Solstice A Bracket, 12 players competed fiercely, with the top finishers being Steve (4.5 points), John (4 points), and Sam and Greg, who each secured 3.5 points. The final night highlighted Steve's remarkable save against John, turning a near-loss into a draw. Sam and Mike’s game also resulted in a draw. Eric and Greg showed their strength by winning both matches that evening. Meanwhile, the Solstice B Bracket was a close contest, with Payton, Emerson, and Frank each achieving 4 points. Payton edged out his competitors through tie-breakers based on opponents' scores. Matt's son, newcomer Emmaus , made a memorable debut. A robust field of 17 players participated in this section, including standout performances from Frank and Isaac, who both won 2 matches and saw Isaac gain an impressive 104 rating points. As the tournament draws to a clo...

We're thrilled to announce the unique Chess Club meeting, set to take place on Monday, May 27, at 6:00 p.m. at McDonald's in Riverstone on Memorial Day. This gathering is not your typical chess event. It's a celebration of creativity and flexibility, inspired by the free-range chickens who roam and explore without constraints. Just like free-range chickens, our club members will have the freedom to choose their opponents and game styles. Whether you're a fan of blitz, rapid, or classical formats, this meeting is your opportunity to play the way you love. Our aim is to create an environment where everyone can experiment and find joy in their own chess journey. In addition to the main event, we aim to create a space reminiscent of a thriving, free-range chicken farm—vibrant, dynamic, and full of life. Players can move about freely, socialize, and share strategies, imitating the natural behaviors in free-range environments. Whether you prefer to forage for new moves or dus...

Thanks to everyone for the fantastic turnout at our Beginners Chess Club meeting on May 23. We had an impressive group of 14 players, including newcomers Daphne, Michael, Liam, Jasper, Jacob, and Jimmy, who have recently returned to active status. During the evening, we focused heavily on instruction by analyzing a classical game that provided rich insights into strategic thinking. This was followed by a warm-up match, during which our more experienced members had the chance to mentor new players, helping them acclimate to the club's atmosphere and competitive play. While we only played one rated game this week to allow ample time for learning and discussion, it served as a valuable experience for everyone involved. For those interested in additional resources, plenty is available on platforms like YouTube, Chess.com, and Lichess.org—don't hesitate to explore these to further your skills. Looking forward to our next meeting, we have planned more classical game reviews, engaging...

The North Idaho Scholastic Chess League (NISCL) recently concluded its highly competitive 2023-24 season on May 16th at Coeur d'Alene High School, showcasing the talents of 23 enthusiastic players. This season was marked by impressive performances across all age groups, with schools and individual players demonstrating remarkable skill and strategic prowess. Season Standings and Individual Achievements In the high school category, Coeur d'Alene High School captured first place, followed by Lake City and Kellogg, who earned second and third place, respectively. Canfield secured the top position in the middle school category, while Nexa emerged as the champion in the elementary division. On the individual front (current and former club members in bold), Owen Karlinsey took home the first-place prize for high school players, trailed by Cameron Gallaher and Elliott Boyman, with Sharma Manik receiving an honorable mention medal. Ewan Case topped the middle school ranks, while Ryan...

In an exhilarating fusion of strategy and caffeine, the latest chess tournament hosted in collaboration between Starbucks Coffee and the Idaho Chess Association proved to be a spectacle of intellect and fun. Held on May 11, this event saw six astute contestants battle it out over five rounds of intense 15-minute games, each enhanced with a 10-second increment to keep the adrenaline pumping. Participants and onlookers gathered in the cozy confines of a local Starbucks, transformed for the day into an arena where minds clashed and pawns fell. It was a day of challenging competition, strategic brilliance, and community spirit, culminating in the crowning of William Merry as the champion. With an impressive score of 4 out of 5, including victories against the formidable Cocis siblings, Laura and Tudor, who stepped into the fray as unrated competitors, Merry's achievement was the talk of the day. (Credit ICA for this photo) The recent chess tournament, a successful collaboration between...