Chess Empowerment - Watch Video Now!
 Chess Empowerment: "Promoting" 9 Queens
Some of you may remember that, in the past month or so, we had fan favorite Amanda Mateer as part of our KibBlitz column. Now every guest of the WCL Newsletter gets, in one form or another, what we call the KibBlitz Bump--which, traditionally, is some sort of miraculous increase in chess prowess, as was the case for newly-minted IM-elect Sam Shankland, who, some months after KibBlitzing, raised his rating over 2400 (both USCF and FIDE) and tied for first in the U18 World Championship.
This time, however, Amanda Mateer has graciously donated her KibBlitz Bump to an organization called 9 Queens. Co-founded by Jean Hoffman and Jennifer Shahade in 2007, the organization seeks to empower women and girls of all ages, as well as minority and lower-income groups, through the game of chess. One of their two program bases is in Tucson, Arizona, where Amanda Mateer volunteers regularly as a chess teacher. The other program base is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
To find out more about 9 Queens, I called up Jean Hoffman on the telephone and asked her a bunch of questions. She was bright, upbeat, and by far the most enthusiastic interview subject I've had in a long time. Founding 9 Queens has been somewhat of a dream project for her. "Basically, we're out to challenge stereotypes about chess," she told me. 9 Queens held a chess festival outdoors in downtown Tucson open to the public. You can watch the awesome videos they have on their website. Hoffman told me that 9 Queens seeks to give individuals the self-confidence they need to succeed through chess, and that many of 9 Queens' workshops include time for open group discussion on a variety of topics relevant to under-represented groups in chess.
We'll have more on 9 Queens next week, when Hoffman herself takes a crack at the KibBltiz. But for now, I hope you'll be interested enough to check out the videos and visit the 9 Queens website to learn more!
Jack Who? Jack Hutton
Jack Hutton, whose name will stand at the top of the World Chess Live Junior Grand Prix list in the next issue of Chess Life for Kids magazine, knows the power of setting goals for oneself. During the early days of summer, Jack learned about the Junior Grand Prix and saw that he’d already wracked up a handful of points from two previous tournaments. He pictured himself as the Junior Grand Prix leader, and got to work finding Expert-level opponents that could provide him with an opportunity to earn more points. First, he won an astonishing 35 points at the World Open in Philadelphia. Then, he used online Grand Prix qualifiers on the World Chess Live online server to better his score by another 35 points. In total, Jack has won 135 points for 7 wins and 13 draws over higher-rated opponents.
"Chess has taught me how to look at problems, something which helps me succeed in school," says Jack, who is now a senior at Bronxville High School in New York. "It also challenges me to learn more about myself." His advice to younger students? "Just keep playing, win or lose, because you will get better." More than just a chess player, Jack is also an athlete who participates in cross country running. World Chess Live congratulates Jack Hutton for achieving his goals in chess, school, and sports!
KibBlitzing with Jack Hutton
Want to know the craziest thing that ever happened to Jack Hutton at a chess tournament? Hint: it involves weapons and it happened twice in a row--at scholastic tournaments, of all places. Ooh, now that does sound too un-family-friendly to publish in the World Chess Live Newsletter, doesn't it? Actually, it's not that bad. Read this week's KibBlitz and see for yourself what I mean. And if you still need to be convinced, check out this awesome photo of Jack Hutton after he ran across the Golden Gate Bridge. I just wish I had a photo credit on it!
Chess.FM Update
Ronen's Unusual Queen Pawn Openings
In his "New Ideas in...." regular video series for ICC Chess.FM, GM Ronen Har-Zvi investigates the latest developments and trends in those downright annoying and unusual Queen Pawn openings that avoid the main battle lines with 2. c4.
Are you searching for a quick-fix against the Colle-Zukertort, Torre Attack, London System, QB Attack with 2. Bg5, Stonewall Attack or perhaps the King's Fianchetto Attack with 1. d4 2. Nf3 3. g3 (without c4)? Then look no further as Ronen gives you an easy-to-play antidote to all those annoying 1. d4 openings. Watch the video now. |
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