Title I District Championship !!!

Title I celebrated the District Championship last Saturday May 4th at Booker T. Washington High School and the McMillan Chess Team performed better than ever scoring 15 points and getting a 3rd place overall in the 6-8 category. The other places were as followed: 1st Place was for Rockway Middle School, 2nd for Hialeah Gardens and 4th and 5th were for Shenandoah and West Miami respectively.

I can say that after a long season the hard work paid off and the Chess Team is finally among the best in Miami Dade County Public Schools.

With 64 Schools competing, hundreds of students and parents participating we can say that the competition was a total success.

Finally I have to say that the Closing Ceremony was amazing. It was the best Ceremony I have witnessed since I’ve been participating in Title I Chess Competitions. It all started with Dr. Eddy Barreiro’ speech about how Title I supports Chess and all the efforts everyone has put towards Chess Education. He also talked about how Dr. Magaly Abrahante and our Chess Commissioner Elizabeth Tejada have put a lot of effort to make sure The Chess Program stays in our Schools. After that came the Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’ speech also mentioning and encouraging parents and coaches to continue working together to offer the best to our students and finally Dr. Holloway’ speech also supporting parents, students and coaches.

In general I have to say that it was a good feeling to know that there are so many people supporting Chess Education and that our students are the ones receiving the benefits.

Here as usual I am sharing a few pictures of the Competition.

Alicia (center) and Jesus on the back of the room getting ready for their last round.

Brian (standing) and Jerome on the back also getting ready for the last round.

Ethan (left) who scored an important win on the last round vs. a student from Shenandoah.

With Commissioner Elizabeth Tejada

With Mrs. Chang (former Assistant Principal at H. D. McMillan Middle)

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho at the closing ceremony

The McMillan Chess Team along with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and Dr. Holloway.

Dr. Holloway and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho at the closing ceremony.

With Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

Miami Dade Public Schools at the Super Nationals V

Miami Dade County Public Schools showed some power at the Super Nationals V celebrated from April 4th to the 7th in Nashville, Tennessee. Congratulations to Norwood Elementary for scoring an important victory by teams in one of the Elementary categories. Norwood Elementary along with Mrs. Elizabeth Tejada (our Chess Commissioner) were featured on Channel 7 News on April 8th for their outstanding result at the Super Nationals V.


Way to go Miami Dade County Public Schools !!!

Mrs. Elizabeth Tejada along with Mr. Sanchez at one of the Title I Chess Competition.

South Regional Chess Tournament Report !!!

The South Regional Chess Tournament last Saturday hosted by the Title I Administration was a total success. There were a total of 390 students competing from more than 30 Schools. As usual it was very well organized and the kids, parents and Chess Teachers had a great time. The McMillan Chess Team got 3rd place missing 2nd place by just 1.5 points. 1st and 2nd places were for Rockway and Shenandoah respectively so Congratulations to all of them!!! The best ten teams per category were invited to compete at the District Championship on May 4th so the McMillan Chess Team will be present hoping to be within the best 5 teams of the County.


Here I am sharing some pictures of the Tournament.

Brian getting ready for the 1st Round. Brian finished in 9th place individually

Jerome waiting for his opponent who never showed up. Jerome scored a very important win in the last round vs. Shenandoah.

Ethan and Patrick were ready for the 1st round

Alicia was a little sick in the morning but she felt better after winning her 1st round.

Jesus was also ready for round #1.

Bernie was the rookie but he still got two wins for the team.  

Angel waiting for his 1st round

Some of the Parents waiting outside the playing room.

After one of the rounds just talking, playing chess and waiting for the next round.

Brian and Jesus analyzing a position

The Team getting the Trophy

The Team getting the Trophy

Season 2012-2013

Welcome back to my "chess blog"

At this point the McMillan Chess Team is getting ready for the 2012-2013 Season. Five members of last year's team are coming back: Ethan, Jesus, Brian, Jerome and Patrick.
The Team is stronger than ever adding a few more members such as Alicia (First Female member of the team EVER) and a couple more players: Angel (coming from Gateway Middle) and the youngest player Bernie.
The next Tournament will be on March 16, 2013 and we will be facing all teams from the Miami Dade South Region so the key will be playing better against Shenandoah and Rockway which are the strongest two teams in the South. Let's see what happens.
I will be back after March 16 to make comments about the Tournament. Good Luck to the McMillan Chess Team.

Take the survey

Quiz - Forsyth Notation

Quiz – Forsyth Notation

Name: _______________________________________________ Date: 5-11-12

1. Write the following position using the Forsyth Notation

2. Using the following board, find all the mistakes made when using the Forsyth Notation:

4n2r1/rp1qk3/p1p1p3/7P/Q1PNP1P/P3PB2/RK4R

3. Explain the mistakes made when notating the 8th rank of four different games:

a) 2rkK3

b) r3B1r2

c) Q21n3K

d) 1Rk3Kq

District Championship Results 2012

Hi everyone
I am happy to say that our Chess Team got 5th Place at the Title I District Championship yesterday, May 5th. It was a nice day to play chess and everyone had a great time. I also have to say that I received a lot of support from the parents which is always very important in the success of the kids. Great Job Team!!!

Here are some pictures of the Tournament.

From left to right: Michael, Jesus, Mr. Diez, Patrick, Brian and Marcos

Patrick getting ready for his last round.

Jesus finishing strong in the last Round.

Brian seemed very happy with his performance

Michael a little worried for Round 5.

Marcos also finishing strong and scoring the highest of the Team.

The Team getting the Award.