Saturday was a lot of fun. I had imagined lots of downtime while Sam played his games, sipping coffee, reading up on emotional healing for adopted children. I did... drink 2 cups of coffee. And I did read... a few pages. But mostly, I watched.
Between rounds, Sam did a bit of school work (that didn't get finished earlier in the week) and played some gameboy. But there was surprisingly little downtime.
The first pairings were done randomly, chosen from among the 2nd and 3rd graders. Most of these kids have been playing for years already and are a part of a chess club at their schools. (As evidenced by t-shirts, hats, etc.) Sam lost his first game against Barrett. (Though we discovered the proper lingo is "Did you win or LEARN?")
Round two, they are matched with someone with a similar record (someone who also "LEARNED" in the first round.) This was Sam's favorite round... they got all the way down to just their kings and ended with a draw, earning each a half-point.
Round 3, I finally noticed a couple of flaws... one in Sam's playing style (he plays like he's playing against his sister... always offering them chances out of each check, rather than playing to win. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to have a son who cares more about kindness than about winning. It just didn't help his score any!) The second flaw, was that Brian and I taught him to play, and neither of us knew about "stalemate." The goal of a game is checkmate - when you have your opponent's king in check (where you could capture him in the next turn), and anywhere else he moves he'd STILL be captured. Stalemate is when you DO NOT have their king in check, but anywhere they move, they would put themselves in check... which would be an illegal move (you can't put your own king in check.) With Sam's helpful playing style, he kept offering ways for the game to continue (wanting the game to last longer, rather than win and end it), and ended up cornering Lilly in a stalemate. Again, 1/2 point.
This tournament was a qualifier for the state tournament in Spokane in April. To qualify, you have to win 3 of your five games (or get 3 points.) For Sam to do that, he would have had to win the two remaining games. Round 4, Liam trapped HIM in a stalemate. This was the round that wouldn't end, evidenced by the empty boards ALL around them, and a judge sitting nearby (there was no one else still playing in his section.) Another 1/2 point, and no way to pull out 3 by the end. (Maybe there should be a trophy for the most TIES!)
Round 5, Sam played Job, and lost fair and square. Though the judge was there, talking to Sam for close to 10 minutes. I gather they aren't allowed to tell a kid they lost! Parents had to stand on the sidelines, out of gameplay area (understandably, but I was out of earshot.) The judge and Sam were going around and around discussing something, and I didn't know about what, since it was obvious Sam's king was in checkmate. I found out later from talking to Sam, that he kept trying to make deals, to let the game continue (something we don't do, but I hadn't been careful about observing when he plays against his sister.) Again, this is just a guess, but it seems like the judge had to keep discussing the game until both players state that it was a checkmate! I'm not sure how well that works with an Asperger's kid. Or at least with Sam. Tell him he lost, he'll be fine with that, but sit there discussing it, and he's happy to hold your ear for the rest of the day!
Anyone know of a local chess club that will include a homeschooler?
Aw, they all look so little! Good for Sam for sticking it out. I bet it was a long day.
Ethan Neff is a an excellent local chess teacher who does chess club with homeschoolers. I know he does one in Lynden and I believe also in Bellingham. He was homeschooled himself.
Ben tried it for awhile but likes checkers better.
Posted by: Syndi | 01/26/2009 at 09:54 PM
Looks like someone already suggested it - there is a home schoolers chess club. But I'm also pretty sure that home schoolers are allowed to participate in any chess club in a local school. I'll ask my mom - she's the chess coach at one of the elementary schools in Ferndale.
Posted by: Cutzi | 01/26/2009 at 11:58 PM
How about one just a few doors down from you? Sunnyland has one, taught by Ethan Neff, on Fridays from 3:30-4:30. Homeschoolers are welcome (Henry and Avery are in it). This is a brand new club with lots of beginning players in it, and many younger players.
We used to have a homeschool club in Bellingham, but haven't for a couple of years. I know there is one in Lynden. Also, Roosevelt is starting up their club and opening it up to homeschoolers.
The rule for homeschoolers is that they can participate in any club to study but must enter as a homeschooler for a tournament. This has to do with team trophies. In order for a homeschooler to contribute to a team trophy they must either be in an active homeschool club or participate in their local school's club and enter as member of that club.
We were at the tournament too! Can't believe we didn't see you. I think Henry is even in one of your pictures. I'll be looking for you at the next tournament!
Posted by: Angie | 01/27/2009 at 06:27 PM
Can I ask the title of the book you were (are) reading on the emotional healing of adopted children? I might want to read that.
Posted by: Stacy | 01/27/2009 at 10:24 PM