McMillan Chess-Team

Puzzles for the Christmas Break

2011-12-15T14:39:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

These are the puzzles you need to solve and turn in on Tuesday, January 3rd. Good luck and enjoy solving them!!!

1. White to move. Find TWO forks.

2. White to move. Find THREE forks.

3. White to move. Find TWO forks.

4. White to move. Find TWO pins.

5. White to move. Find SIX pins.

6. White to move. Find FOUR pins.

7. White to move. Remove the defender by capturing.

8. White to move. Remove the defender by distracting.

9. White to move. Remove the defender by attacking.

10. White to move. Checkmate in ONE.

11. White to move. Checkmate in ONE

12. White to move. Checkmate in ONE

13. White to move. Checkmate in TWO.

14. White to move. Checkmate in TWO

15. White to move. Checkmate in TWO

Tuesday 12-13-11

2011-12-13T09:16:00.000-05:00

TUESDAY

ACTIVITY 2

READ THE FOLLOWING SELECTION AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

LEARNING JAPANESE

Christopher Barzak

I moved to Japan to teach English to junior high school students a few years ago. Most of the English teachers who come to Japan don't try to learn the language here. I thought I might stand a better chance of helping my students if I spoke their language. So I decided early on the best thing I could do was to learn Japanese. I wanted to do more than just introduce myself in Japanese. I wanted to make myself known in the lives of my students and their families. But my attempts at learning a very difficult language proved to be full of mishaps.

Soon after I arrived here, I started going out every few days to prove to myself that I could live in a culture whose language I barely knew. So I went to a fast food restaurant and tried to order food for the first time. Unfortunately I am a picky eater, so I asked for a burger without tomato, but the counter girl seemed confused by this and called a manager to help. The manager was a fussy lady who asked me a bunch of questions that I couldn't understand at all. Stupidly I kept saying "Hai, hai," yes, yes, to everything. Finally, I paid and got my bag of food and left.

When I got home and opened the burger wrapper, there was nothing inside but a bun with ketchup on it. I couldn't believe it. I had a Japanese lesson later that day, so when my Japanese teacher asked me what I wanted to learn, I brought out the burger bun and said, "I want to know how to order food."

Other problems arose because of cultural differences. Sometimes I got confused because Japanese people don't give as much information in conversation as we do in English. People would say things like, "Saturday?" and I'd wait for them to tell me what about Saturday they wanted to know. But then they wouldn't say anything else. It was only later I found out you can say, "Saturday?" in Japanese with a questioning tone and everyone will tell you their schedule for Saturday. Except if they asked me, of course.

I always disliked it when I lived in America and heard people complain about our immigrant population speaking poor English. I dislike it more now that I've walked in the shoes of a foreigner for over a year. I know how hard it is to grow up with one language and try to start learning another as quickly as possible. It's not easy. It takes years to become fluent.

Recently I had lunch with one of my students, Shun. He told me that until I came, the students had never felt comfortable with their English teachers. Showing respect by trying to learn their language, I gained the trust of my students. I know they try harder at English because I had honored them and their culture and their language.

You see, they are more willing to make mistakes with English after hearing of my mistakes with Japanese. The Japanese have a saying that means, "The way of mistakes is the way of learning." And with this in mind, they have a lot of patience and compassion for the foreigners who are here trying to learn Japanese.

I'm still not that good at Japanese, but I am getting better. Even if what I say isn't always correct, I can basically make myself understood. I probably still sound a little awkward ordering at a restaurant, but at least now I know how to ask for what I want. There's no way I'm getting another bun without a hamburger.

1) What was the main thing that made the author want to learn Japanese?

A. He wanted to get a better job.

B. He thought it would help his teaching.

C. He was always fascinated by the language.

D. He wanted to talk to more Japanese students.

2) What happened after the author ordered a bun with ketchup?

A. He tried not to order food without a helper.

B. He tried to learn more about Japanese food.

C. He never went back to that fast food restaurant.

D. He knew what he wanted to learn in the Japanese lesson.

3) Why does the author dislike people who complain about foreigners who don't learn American English when in America?

A. They don't know how easy it is to make mistakes.

B. They don't take the time to get to know the foreigners

C. They don't know how hard it is to learn a language.

D. They don't appreciate the courage it takes to travel.

4) How did the author's attempts to learn Japanese affect his students?

A. They learned to like all their teachers better.

B. They were honored and tried harder at English.

C. They brought their families around to meet the teacher.

D. They were more proud of how difficult their own language is.

5) The Japanese say the effect of making many mistakes is that you will

A. learn much.

B. improve, but slowly.

C. make friends quickly.

D. master the language.

Quiz - Removing the Defender 12-12-11

2011-12-12T11:20:00.003-05:00

Chess 12-12-11

Quiz: Removing the Defender

Name: ______________________________________ Date: ___________

Solve the following puzzles using Algebraic Notation:

1. White to move. Remove the defender by capturing.

2. Black to move. Remove the defender by capturing.

3. White to move. Remove the defender by attacking.

4. Black to move. Remove the defender. (Hint: Black could checkmate by Qh1)

5. White to move. Remove the defender by attacking

6. White to move. Remove the defender.

Study Guide for Final Exam

2011-05-16T21:12:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone

Here I am posting the study guide for the Final Exam. Solve all puzzles.

Chess Tournament Results - Report

2011-05-14T18:05:00.002-04:00

Today the McMillan Chess Team participated in the Title I District Chess Championship. It was a beautiful day to play chess and as usual it was well organized and everyone had a great time. In general everyone knows that with the support of Title I administration we have been able to run this chess program successfully throughout the Miami Dade County Public Schools for a few years now. Now, I can not help but wonder, is there anything NEW Title I along with the Chess Facilitators can do next year? How about letting the Chess Facilitators compete also? Wouldn't it be a good idea to open a section just for them? It is just a thought but I think most Chess Facilitators would enjoy that. For now I just want to thank the Title I Administration again for their invaluable support. Here I am sharing some pictures of the tournament.

Eduardo Vigo getting ready for the 1st Round

Jose Ferrer was a little nervous

Ruben Martinez as usual very optimistic

Christophe Bacallao was confident for the 1st Round

The kids playing with the giant pieces

From left to right: Mr. Diez, Ruben, Christophe and Eduardo

Mr. Diez (Chess Facilitator) and his friend Mr. Barreiro (one of the Title I Administration organizers)

Mrs. Tejada and Mrs. Madrid at the closing ceremony

The trophies

Dr. Abrahante at the closing ceremony

Mixed Puzzles - Homework

2011-02-14T19:48:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, here I am posting six puzzles you need to solve and turn in to me by next Wednesday, February 23rd.

Good Luck !!!

1. Find the best move for White.

2. Find the best move for White

3. Find the best move for White.

4. Find the best move for White.

5. Find the best move for White.

6. Find the best move for White.

Congratulation to the McMillan Chess Team

2010-12-11T21:16:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the McMillan Chess Team for getting 2nd place at the Title I - South Regional Chess Tournament. As usual it was a very well organize Chess Tournament where all parents, students and coaches had a great time.

Check out some pictures from the tournament:

Eduardo showing his medal.

Christophe getting ready for the last round

Francisco, the veteran player in this type of Tournament, showed that he still can win some games.

Arky, who was sick in the morning but was feeling better by the last round

Ruben feeling optimistic

McMillan Chess Team: from left to right (Eduardo, Francisco, Christophe, Arky, Ruben, and Mr. Diez)

In the Auditorium waiting for the Awards Ceremony

The Trophy

The Team getting the Trophy

Taking some pictures with the Trophy

Just having fun !!!

Time to Play !!!

2010-11-14T20:03:00.000-05:00

Puzzles - Homework (Forks, Pins and Skewers)

2010-11-14T19:41:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone,

These are a few puzzles for you to solve as a homework. The puzzles are about forks, pins and skewers. You have to print and solve all of them by Friday, November 19th. Good Luck !!!

1. White to move. Find two forks.

2. White to move. Find four forks.

3. White to move. Find the best move (there is a skewer involve)

4. White to move. Find the Skewer.

5. White to move. Find two pins.

6. White to move. Find three pins.

Writing Chess

2010-09-10T11:15:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone and welcome to an excited 2010-2011 School Year. Here I am posting the format we will use to write down chess games. You can copy, paste and print this form so you will have it for class.

Review Puzzles for Final Exam

2010-05-26T09:52:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone, here I am posting some puzzles for you to solve and get ready for the final exam. Also if you want extra credit you can print them and turn them to me anytime before the final exam. Good Luck !!!

1- White to play. Can you find all the possible forks?

2- Black to move and checkmates in one move

3- White to move and checkmates in two moves (hint: sacrifice a piece)

4- Black to move. Find a fork and a pin.

5- Find the best move for White

6- Find the best move for White (hint: remove the defender)

7- Find the best move for Black (hint: remove the defender)

8- Find the best move for White (hint: The knight is already pinned)

9- Find the best move for White

10- Find the best move for White

What a Great Tournament !!!

2010-05-15T19:48:00.035-04:00

For three years in a row, the McMillan Chess Team participates in the District Chess Championship sponsor by the Title I Administration. The 2009-2010 Title I Chess Championship was once again a complete success. More than 840 kids participated (new record) in different categories from K all the way through 12 grade. Teachers, students, parents and administrators had a great time thanks to Title I Administration who provided like every year three important things: 1st- A well organized Chess Tournament, 2nd - Prices for all students competing such as chess books, DVDs, chess boards, etc and 3rd - Provided two great hosts -Alexandra Kosteniuk who is currently the Women's World Chess Champion and -our Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho who has not missed these Championships in the past and who is always showing his support to all coaches and students.

Finally on another positive note Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho in his Welcome Speech acknowledged how important is to teach and learn chess and how Chess is all about making students use "Critical Thinking", which is in fact what we try to do with our students everyday in our classrooms.

Here I am sharing some pictures of the Tournament.

From left to right, Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho, Mr. Diez (Chess Facilitator at McMillan) and Alexandra Kosteniuk (current Women’s World Chess Champion since 2008) )

Alexandra Kosteniuk (autographing her book "Diary of a Chess Queen") and Mr. Diez (Chess Facilitator at McMillan Middle School)

Mr. Diez (Chess Facilitator at McMillan) and his good friend Eduardo Barreiro from Title I Chess Administration

Alexandra Kosteniuk (current Women’s World Chess Champion since 2008) playing a simultaneous at the Title I Chess Championship

And now some pictures of the McMillan Chess Team

Edward Nammur getting ready for the first round

Kevin Saenz waiting for his/her opponent in the 2nd round

Nelson Vega was very happy before the first round

Nathan Larrea was trying to concentrate for his game

Carlos Barraza getting ready for his first game

Francisco Concepcion (who got the best score of the team) getting ready for the first round

Josue Barban warming up for the first round.

The McMillan Chess Team: from left to right, Josue Barban, Francisco Concepcion, Edward Nammur, Kevin Saenz, Nelson Vega, Nathan Larrea and Mr. Diez (Note: Carlos Barraza left before the picture)

Intermediate Moves

2010-04-13T12:08:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone

Here I am posting four puzzles about "Intermediate Moves". Solve them on a piece of paper and give them to me before the end of the class today Tuesday 4-13-10. Good Luck!!!

1. How can White gain material advantage?

2. Black is offering to trade Queens. How can White win a piece along the way?

3. White is counting on the pin on the d-file with the Rook. After 1.Qxe5, how can Black respond?

4. Find the best move for White.

Homework: Removing the Defender

2010-02-02T15:23:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Solve the following puzzles and bring their solution to class by Friday, February 12th. Remember that all these puzzles deal with the topic "Removing the Defender". You have plenty time to print and solve the puzzles. Good Luck !!!

1. White to Move. (hint: The Black Queen is defending f6)

2. White to Move. (hint: The Black Night is defending g7)

3. Black to move. (hint: The White Queen is defending g1)

4. White to Move. (hint: White wants to checkmate by taking on h7 with the Queen, however the Black Queen is defending)

5. White to Move.

Puzzles for my Students

2009-11-19T13:36:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, here I am giving you five puzzles to solve. You have to print the page, solve the puzzles and turn them to me on Wednesday, November 25th. Good Luck !!!

1. White to move. Find the best Fork.

2. White to move. Find the best Fork.

3. White to move. Find the best move (Hint: there is a fork involved)

4. Black to move. Find the Pin.

5. White to move. Find the best move (Hint: White is already pinning the Knight)

More Puzzles

2008-11-12T12:41:00.005-05:00

White to play, mate in two moves:

White to play, mate in one move:

WELCOME McMillan Chess Team

2008-10-11T12:35:00.010-04:00

Welcome to an excited school year 2008-2009. There are a lot of tournaments this year so you better get ready. Your first assignment online is to answer the following questions along with the solution of a puzzle. And remember, they are due on Wednesday, October 15th.

1. List all the pieces of a chess game along with their value.
2. List three strategies to follow when your opponent is attacking one of your pieces.
3. Solve the following puzzle. White to move and mate in one

Puzzles of the Week 3/10/08 to 3/14/08 !!!

2008-03-10T12:43:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, this is one of the most important weeks of the School Year because of the FCAT. So the puzzles for this week are simple in case you have to study for your EXAMS. Think about them, find the solutions, write the solutions in a piece of paper and bring them to Class before Friday, March 14th.

For both puzzles, white play first and checkmate black in two moves.

Good Luck !!!

McMillan 2nd Tournament Results Unexpected !!!

2008-02-25T09:22:00.000-05:00

McMillan Chess Team celebrated their 2nd Tournament of the School Year with some mayor changes and unexpected results.

Q: Which mayor changes occurred in the Tournament?
A: The first change was the inclusion of two computers opponents in the Tournament, Seth (707) and Miranda (1154), the second change was reducing the amount of rounds going from 13 to 7 rounds only, and the last change was the rating of the Tournament, it means everyone was rated.

Q: Why the Results were unexpected?

A: For two reasons, 1st Nobody expected that Miranda 1154 (one of the computer opponents) was going to win this Tournament, and even worse the way she won it (7-0); in fact we were expecting her to get 6th or 7th place; and 2nd Nobody also expected that Aaron Guanch (our absolute winner of the First Tournament was going to have a bad Tournament)

Q: What was the Final Standing and what is the new ELO of everyone?
A: The Final standing and ELO of everyone is the following: 1st Miranda 1005, 2nd Mike Lee 1000, 3rd Nathan Larrea 952, 4th – 6th Roy Anania 925, Seth (computer opponent) 915, Donovan Garcia 925, 7th – 9th Jorge Hernandez 912, Anthony Tabbitas 912, Anthony Ros 912, 10th – 13th Aaron Guanch 885, Oscar Anchia 899, Jonas Navarro 885, Nicholas Sanchez 885, 14th Antonio Marti 877, 15th Adam Ashby 825 and 16th Rene Torres 817.

Q: What’s next for the Chess Team?
A: Study more and Get ready for the next Tournament.

South Regional Chess Tournament

2008-01-29T09:04:00.000-05:00

For the first time a Chess Team from McMillan participated in the most important Chess Tournament in Miami; "The South Regional Chess Tournament".

The Classic Chess Tournament is always celebrated in January and this year a total of 547 kids participated.

The McMillan Chess Team played in the K-8 section where there were a total of 30 schools and 155 kids.

Our Team participated with 8 players and their standing was the following; Nathan Larrea 3.0, Mike Lee 3.0, Jonathan Ochoa 2.5, Anthony Tabbitas 2.0, Jorge Hernandez 2.0, Roy Anania 2.0, Nicholas Sanchez 1.0 and Anthony Ros 1.0.

As a Team we ended up in 12th place out of the 30 schools that participated, however we consider this the best result of our Team this school year, taking in consideration that this was the first Tournament for most of our players.

As a summary I can predict that this is just the beginning of great results that are coming up for our Chess Team, so you better keep in touch.

And now enjoy some pictures of our players in the middle of the action.

Nathan Larrea next to Mike Lee playing in the 5th round.

Jorge Hernandez playing in the 5th round. In the back Roy Anania also playing.

Jonathan Ochoa playing in the 5th round also.

Anthony Ros getting ready for the last round.

Roy Anania playing the 4th round. This was Roy's first victory.

With the "Panther Logo" on the back of his T-Shirt, Mike Lee played the 4th round while Nathan Larrea was again playing next to him.

Here Jorge Hernandez was getting ready to win his second game.

And finally I couldn't leave the Tournament without taking a picture with two of the most important Teachers - Chess Players - Friends, who I personally admire so much for their work and for what they do to help the kids learn this beautiful game. From left to right GM Renier Gonzalez, Marco A. Diez (McMillan Chess Teacher) and Andy Ramos (District Chess Coordinator)

A great 2008 !!!

2008-01-17T19:21:00.000-05:00

Welcome back everyone. Let me first wish everybody a Happy New Year and let it be a successful one for all of us.
Secondly I want to congratulate Mike Lee and Anthony Tabbitas for their result in the last MICA Tournament celebrated at Rockway Middle School. Mike Lee ended with 3.o points while Anthony ended with 1.5, both after 5 rounds. Good job !!!
And what comes next?, the South Regional Chess Tournament on January 26; with hundreds and hundreds of students every year, the South Regional is by far the most important Tournament of the year. Everyone wants to participate and the "McMillan Chess Team" is one of them.
Mike Lee, Anthony Tabbitas, Nathan Larrea, Anthony Ros and Jorge Hernandez are ready for the action on January 26 while a few more players are still thinking about participating. Aaron Guanch, Jonas Navarro and Nicholas Sanchez are possible candidates, so hopefully these 8 members of the team will be facing students from all over the District showing and implementing all they have learnt so far of this fabulous game, sport and art; that we call "chess".
What are my predictions for the South Regional?. If only 5 students participate, I will predict to get from 12 to 15 points as a Team; and if all 8 players participate I will predict around 20 points. I will keep you posted on that.

Puzzles of the Week 12/10/07 to 12/14/07

2007-12-09T14:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome back everyone. I hope you had a great weekend and you are ready to play and improve your strategies when playing chess.

Here I am posting the puzzles of the week. Remember to make a comment about them. Good Luck !!!

1. White to play and win in two moves.

2. White to play and win in two moves.

McMillan Chess Team get to play against MDCPS Distric Chess Coordinator Andy Ramos

2007-11-29T20:32:00.000-05:00

McMillan Chess Team practices their tactics and strategies while some of them get to play against MDCPS District Chess Coordinator Andy Ramos.

Mike Lee plays against MDCPS District Chess Coordinator Andy Ramos

Aaron Guanch draws with MDCPS District Chess Coordinator Andy Ramos (bell rings)

Donovan Garcia and Nathan Larrea during one of the games.

Jonas Navarron and Oscar Anchia playing an interesting game.

Nicholas Sanchez and Rene Torres during one of the games.

Aaron Guanch and Jorge Hernandez at the end of the game.

Anthony Tabbitas playing Anthony Ros, in another good game.

Antonio Marti playing against the Computer (Chessmaster 9000)

Roy Anania and Adam Ashby during one of the games.

Mike Lee playing Jorge Hernandez in their second game.

Puzzles of the Week 11-26-07 to 11-30-07

2007-11-26T15:32:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone again. I didn't get a lot of papers last week, but hopefully I am getting all of them this Friday 11-30-07.

Remember to solve the puzzles and write an article to be publish in this web site.

Here you have the puzzles of this week. Good Luck !!!

1. White to play and win in two moves.

2. White to play and win in two moves.

Puzzles of the Week 11-19-07 to 11-26-07

2007-11-21T12:48:00.000-05:00

Hi everybody
Here you have the puzzles of the week. They are due next Monday 11-26-07. So good luck.

1. White to play. Mate in two moves.

2. White to play. Mate in one move.

McMillan Chess Team Celebrated 1st Tournament

2007-11-20T11:29:00.000-05:00

I have been working as a Chess Teacher for three years in a row, however for the first time in these three years I have the opportunity of teaching a Chess Class every single day thanks to the support of the Administration of McMillan Middle School who trusted on my experience as a Chess Coach to teach this class and make it a succeed.

My team has 14 kids and all of them are very enthusiastic and eager to play and improve their chess tactics and strategies, so we have been working on developing them from the beginning of the School Year using a variety of teaching techniques.

A few days before the end of the first half of the Semester our team celebrated our 1st School Tournament; giving all the players the chance to play and show their strengths and weaknesses.

After 13 rounds, the 1st place was for Aaron Guanch (11.5); 2nd place for Mike Lee (11), and 3rd place for Roy Anania (9).

The rest of the standing positions were Anthony Ros (9), Jorge Hernandez (8.5), Nathan Larrea (8.5), Donovan Garcia (6.5), Oscar Anchia (6.5), Nicholas Sanchez (6), Jonas Navarro (4.5), Anthony Tabbitas (4), Adam Ashby (3), Antonio Marti (2) and Rene Torres (0.5).

In general it was a very interesting and exciting experience for all my kids allowing them to play, learn, and apply their knowledge of their "chess game" in a real Tournament.

By Marco A. Diez (Chess Teacher at McMillan Middle School)