South Regional Chess Tournament

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 !!!

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

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

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

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

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

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)