Academic Chess's Weekly Newsletter
Academic Chess Newsletter 02/16/18
by NM Craig Clawitter
Game of the Week!
White: Wilhelm Steinitz (1st World Champion!)
Black: Rock London, England 1863
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Evan’s Gambit 4…Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O Nf6 8. Ba3 Bb6 9. Qb3 d5 10. exd5 Na5 11. Re1+ Be6 12. dxe6 Nxb3
by NM Craig Clawitter
Game of the Week!
White: Wilhelm Steinitz (1st World Champion!)
Black: Rock London, England 1863
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Evan’s Gambit 4…Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O Nf6 8. Ba3 Bb6 9. Qb3 d5 10. exd5 Na5 11. Re1+ Be6 12. dxe6 Nxb3
Chess Problem of the Week!.
Can you fill in the blanks and finish off the first World Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz’s King hunt?
13. _______++ Kd7 14. _______+ Kc6
15. _______+ Kb5 16. _______+ Ka5
17. _______+ Ka4 18. axb3# 1-0
Winner of February 2018 Scholastic Champs!
Quinton Daniels! Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at this tournament, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on Feb 24th Scholastic Championships run from 3pm-6pm
Top 5 USCF Ratings in 2018
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games.
Can you fill in the blanks and finish off the first World Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz’s King hunt?
13. _______++ Kd7 14. _______+ Kc6
15. _______+ Kb5 16. _______+ Ka5
17. _______+ Ka4 18. axb3# 1-0
Winner of February 2018 Scholastic Champs!
Quinton Daniels! Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at this tournament, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on Feb 24th Scholastic Championships run from 3pm-6pm
Top 5 USCF Ratings in 2018
- Aaron Gurovich 1301
- Gavin Guo 1148
- Christopher Mcfadden 976
- Quinton Daniels 864
- Ronit Khanna 835
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games.
Answer of Chess Problem of the Week (from 02/02/18)
20. Nh6+ Kh8 21. Qxe5!! Qxe5 22. Nxf7+ Rxf7 23. Rd8+ Qe8 24. Rxe8+ Rf8 25. Rxf8#
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesstempo.com
Great, free website for thousands of chess puzzles!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
My personal website:nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Dream Teams: www.acocdreamteam.weebly.com
Chess Advice
“When you have an advantage, you are obliged to attack; otherwise you are endangered to lose the advantage.”-Wilhelm Steinitz
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. USCF rated February Scholastic Championships on February 24th, 2018! The tournament runs from 3pm-6pm. By the end of this tournament all participants will have a national rating! Prizes, trophies and medals will be given out at the end of the tournament! This tournament will be held at our chess center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
On February 24th, 2018, we have our USCF tournament for Adults and/or talented juniors. To be eligible for this tournament, you either need to be older than 12 years old, or if you are younger than 13, you can still play if you have a USCF rating of 1000+. The adult tournament runs from 12pm-5pm one door over at Suite 109.
2. South County Dream Team! Mondays from 6pm-7:30pm. *Just $15 a class!*
Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
3. North County Dream Team Thursdays 02/15, 02/22 from 5:00pm-6:00pm &/or 6:00pm-7:00pm Semi-private lessons (4 students maximum) from NM (National Master) Craig Clawitter. Each lesson students can earn prizes as well as learning new and exciting tactics & strategies from one of Southern California’s best chess players! We plan on having our North County Dream Team challenge other clubs in Southern California including a friendly competition with Academic Chess’s South County Dream Team!
3. Recycle with Ryan!: ryansrecycling.com/about/ Academic Chess will give a chess buck for every 10 bottles or cans brought in and the winner will get a LEGO chess set!
4. After-School Chess is being offered in over 150 schools in Orange County! Please check with your schools for more information. If you’d like chess in your school please contact us at 949-348-2892 or [email protected]
5. We have Friday Knight Chess Tournaments in San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Irvine, and now Anaheim Hills! Flyers for these tournaments can be found here: www.academicchess.com/flyers.htm
Opening of the Week
The Italian Opening (Evan’s Gambit): 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 b4!? White gives away a pawn, but his/her pieces are about to fly out and White will have a very strong center as well!
20. Nh6+ Kh8 21. Qxe5!! Qxe5 22. Nxf7+ Rxf7 23. Rd8+ Qe8 24. Rxe8+ Rf8 25. Rxf8#
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesstempo.com
Great, free website for thousands of chess puzzles!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
My personal website:nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Dream Teams: www.acocdreamteam.weebly.com
Chess Advice
“When you have an advantage, you are obliged to attack; otherwise you are endangered to lose the advantage.”-Wilhelm Steinitz
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. USCF rated February Scholastic Championships on February 24th, 2018! The tournament runs from 3pm-6pm. By the end of this tournament all participants will have a national rating! Prizes, trophies and medals will be given out at the end of the tournament! This tournament will be held at our chess center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
On February 24th, 2018, we have our USCF tournament for Adults and/or talented juniors. To be eligible for this tournament, you either need to be older than 12 years old, or if you are younger than 13, you can still play if you have a USCF rating of 1000+. The adult tournament runs from 12pm-5pm one door over at Suite 109.
2. South County Dream Team! Mondays from 6pm-7:30pm. *Just $15 a class!*
Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
3. North County Dream Team Thursdays 02/15, 02/22 from 5:00pm-6:00pm &/or 6:00pm-7:00pm Semi-private lessons (4 students maximum) from NM (National Master) Craig Clawitter. Each lesson students can earn prizes as well as learning new and exciting tactics & strategies from one of Southern California’s best chess players! We plan on having our North County Dream Team challenge other clubs in Southern California including a friendly competition with Academic Chess’s South County Dream Team!
3. Recycle with Ryan!: ryansrecycling.com/about/ Academic Chess will give a chess buck for every 10 bottles or cans brought in and the winner will get a LEGO chess set!
4. After-School Chess is being offered in over 150 schools in Orange County! Please check with your schools for more information. If you’d like chess in your school please contact us at 949-348-2892 or [email protected]
5. We have Friday Knight Chess Tournaments in San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Irvine, and now Anaheim Hills! Flyers for these tournaments can be found here: www.academicchess.com/flyers.htm
Opening of the Week
The Italian Opening (Evan’s Gambit): 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 b4!? White gives away a pawn, but his/her pieces are about to fly out and White will have a very strong center as well!
Looking to Take Your Chess to the Next Level?
How about some private lessons? I (Craig Clawitter) am a national master (rated over 2200 USCF) which puts me inside the top 1% of the world at chess! I've been teaching children and adults chess for over 15 years now! If your child is really serious about getting better at chess this is the best way to go!
Please contact me either at:
Phone: 949-940-5141 (cell)
Email: crageclaw@gmail.com
Website: nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Happy Kinghunting!
Program Director
NM Craig Clawitter Adam Brody
02/16/2018 949-348-2892
How about some private lessons? I (Craig Clawitter) am a national master (rated over 2200 USCF) which puts me inside the top 1% of the world at chess! I've been teaching children and adults chess for over 15 years now! If your child is really serious about getting better at chess this is the best way to go!
Please contact me either at:
Phone: 949-940-5141 (cell)
Email: crageclaw@gmail.com
Website: nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Happy Kinghunting!
Program Director
NM Craig Clawitter Adam Brody
02/16/2018 949-348-2892
Academic Chess Newsletter 02/09/18
by NM Craig Clawitter
Game of the Week!
White: Jose Raul Capablanca
Black: Marc Fonaroff New York, NY USA 1918
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 The Scotch Opening 3…d6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 exd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Bxb5 10. Nxb5 O-O 11. Qc3 c6 12. Nd4 Nd7 13. Nf5 Bf6 14. Qg3 Ne5 15. Bf4 Qc7 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. Rxd6!? 17…Rxd6 18. Bxe5 18…Rd1? 19. Rxd1! (19. Bxc7?? Rxe1#) 19…Bxe5
by NM Craig Clawitter
Game of the Week!
White: Jose Raul Capablanca
Black: Marc Fonaroff New York, NY USA 1918
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 The Scotch Opening 3…d6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 exd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Bxb5 10. Nxb5 O-O 11. Qc3 c6 12. Nd4 Nd7 13. Nf5 Bf6 14. Qg3 Ne5 15. Bf4 Qc7 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. Rxd6!? 17…Rxd6 18. Bxe5 18…Rd1? 19. Rxd1! (19. Bxc7?? Rxe1#) 19…Bxe5
Chess Problem of the Week!.
Can you fill in the blanks of the amazing sacrifice that Capablanca pulls off here?
20. _______+ Kh8 21. _______ Qxe5
22._____+ Rxf7 23. ______+ Qe8 24._______+ Rf8 25. Rxf8#
Winner of January 2018 Scholastic Champs!
Christopher McFadden! Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at this tournament, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on Feb 10th Scholastic Championships run from 3pm-6pm
Top 5 USCF Ratings in 2018
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games.
Can you fill in the blanks of the amazing sacrifice that Capablanca pulls off here?
20. _______+ Kh8 21. _______ Qxe5
22._____+ Rxf7 23. ______+ Qe8 24._______+ Rf8 25. Rxf8#
Winner of January 2018 Scholastic Champs!
Christopher McFadden! Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at this tournament, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on Feb 10th Scholastic Championships run from 3pm-6pm
Top 5 USCF Ratings in 2018
- Quinton Daniels 860
- Christopher McFadden 844
- Matthew Miamidian 753
- Addison Fort 683
- Patrick McFadden 628
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games.
Answer of Chess Problem of the Week (from 02/02/18)
15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Qxh5+ Kg8 17. Bxg7 Kxg7
18. Qg4+ Kh7 19. Rf3 Rg8? 20. Rh3+ Bh4 21. Rxh4#
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesstempo.com
Great, free website for thousands of chess puzzles!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
My personal website:nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Dream Teams: www.acocdreamteam.weebly.com
Chess Advice
“You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win. You will have to lose hundreds of games before becoming a good player”-Jose Raul Capablanca
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. USCF rated February Scholastic Championships on February 10th & 24th, 2018! The tournament runs from 3pm-6pm. By the end of this tournament all participants will have a national rating! Prizes, trophies and medals will be given out at the end of the tournament! This tournament will be held at our chess center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
On February 24th, 2018, we have our USCF tournament for Adults and/or talented juniors. To be eligible for this tournament, you either need to be older than 12 years old, or if you are younger than 13, you can still play if you have a USCF rating of 1000+. The adult tournament runs from 12pm-5pm one door over at Suite 109.
2. South County Dream Team! Mondays 02/12 from 6pm-7:30pm. *Just $15 a class!*
Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
3. North County Dream Team Thursdays 02/15, 02/22 from 5:00pm-6:00pm &/or 6:00pm-7:00pm Semi-private lessons (4 students maximum) from NM (National Master) Craig Clawitter. Each lesson students can earn prizes as well as learning new and exciting tactics & strategies from one of Southern California’s best chess players! We plan on having our North County Dream Team challenge other clubs in Southern California including a friendly competition with Academic Chess’s South County Dream Team!
3. Recycle with Ryan!: ryansrecycling.com/about/ Academic Chess will give a chess buck for every 10 bottles or cans brought in and the winner will get a LEGO chess set!
4. After-School Chess is being offered in over 150 schools in Orange County! Please check with your schools for more information. If you’d like chess in your school please contact us at 949-348-2892 or [email protected]
5. We have Friday Knight Chess Tournaments in San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Irvine, and now Anaheim Hills! Flyers for these tournaments can be found here: www.academicchess.com/flyers.htm
Opening of the Week
The Spanish (Ruy Lopez) Opening: 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 White immediately develops all the pieces necessary to castle. This opening has been written about since 1490! It’s definitely a classic, and is still the most popular opening after 1 e4 e5!
15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Qxh5+ Kg8 17. Bxg7 Kxg7
18. Qg4+ Kh7 19. Rf3 Rg8? 20. Rh3+ Bh4 21. Rxh4#
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesstempo.com
Great, free website for thousands of chess puzzles!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
My personal website:nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Dream Teams: www.acocdreamteam.weebly.com
Chess Advice
“You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win. You will have to lose hundreds of games before becoming a good player”-Jose Raul Capablanca
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. USCF rated February Scholastic Championships on February 10th & 24th, 2018! The tournament runs from 3pm-6pm. By the end of this tournament all participants will have a national rating! Prizes, trophies and medals will be given out at the end of the tournament! This tournament will be held at our chess center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
On February 24th, 2018, we have our USCF tournament for Adults and/or talented juniors. To be eligible for this tournament, you either need to be older than 12 years old, or if you are younger than 13, you can still play if you have a USCF rating of 1000+. The adult tournament runs from 12pm-5pm one door over at Suite 109.
2. South County Dream Team! Mondays 02/12 from 6pm-7:30pm. *Just $15 a class!*
Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
3. North County Dream Team Thursdays 02/15, 02/22 from 5:00pm-6:00pm &/or 6:00pm-7:00pm Semi-private lessons (4 students maximum) from NM (National Master) Craig Clawitter. Each lesson students can earn prizes as well as learning new and exciting tactics & strategies from one of Southern California’s best chess players! We plan on having our North County Dream Team challenge other clubs in Southern California including a friendly competition with Academic Chess’s South County Dream Team!
3. Recycle with Ryan!: ryansrecycling.com/about/ Academic Chess will give a chess buck for every 10 bottles or cans brought in and the winner will get a LEGO chess set!
4. After-School Chess is being offered in over 150 schools in Orange County! Please check with your schools for more information. If you’d like chess in your school please contact us at 949-348-2892 or [email protected]
5. We have Friday Knight Chess Tournaments in San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Irvine, and now Anaheim Hills! Flyers for these tournaments can be found here: www.academicchess.com/flyers.htm
Opening of the Week
The Spanish (Ruy Lopez) Opening: 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 White immediately develops all the pieces necessary to castle. This opening has been written about since 1490! It’s definitely a classic, and is still the most popular opening after 1 e4 e5!
Looking to Take Your Chess to the Next Level?
How about some private lessons? I (Craig Clawitter) am a national master (rated over 2200 USCF) which puts me inside the top 1% of the world at chess! I've been teaching children and adults chess for over 15 years now! If your child is really serious about getting better at chess this is the best way to go!
Please contact me either at:
Phone: 949-940-5141 (cell)
Email: crageclaw@gmail.com
Website: nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Happy Kinghunting!
Program Director
NM Craig Clawitter Adam Brody
02/09/2018 949-348-2892
How about some private lessons? I (Craig Clawitter) am a national master (rated over 2200 USCF) which puts me inside the top 1% of the world at chess! I've been teaching children and adults chess for over 15 years now! If your child is really serious about getting better at chess this is the best way to go!
Please contact me either at:
Phone: 949-940-5141 (cell)
Email: crageclaw@gmail.com
Website: nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Happy Kinghunting!
Program Director
NM Craig Clawitter Adam Brody
02/09/2018 949-348-2892
Academic Chess Newsletter 02/02/18
by NM Craig Clawitter
Game of the Week!
White: Emanuel Lasker
Black: Johann Hermann Bauer
08/26/1889 1-0 Amsterdam, NED
1.f4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.b3 e6 4.Bb2 Be7 5.Bd3 b6 6.Nc3 Bb7 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.O-O O-O 9.Ne2 c5 10.Ng3 Qc7 11.Ne5 Nxe5
12.Bxe5 Qc6 13.Qe2 a6 14.Nh5 Nxh5
by NM Craig Clawitter
Game of the Week!
White: Emanuel Lasker
Black: Johann Hermann Bauer
08/26/1889 1-0 Amsterdam, NED
1.f4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.b3 e6 4.Bb2 Be7 5.Bd3 b6 6.Nc3 Bb7 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.O-O O-O 9.Ne2 c5 10.Ng3 Qc7 11.Ne5 Nxe5
12.Bxe5 Qc6 13.Qe2 a6 14.Nh5 Nxh5
Chess Problem of the Week!.
Can you fill in the blanks of the amazing sacrifice that Lasker pulls off here?
15.______+ Kxh7 16.______+ Kg8
17._______ Kxg7 18.______+ Kh7
19._______ Rg8? 20.Rh3#
Winner of January 2018 Scholastic Championships!
Christopher McFadden! Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at this tournament, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on Feb 10th Scholastic Championships run from 3pm-6pm
Top 5 USCF Ratings in 2018
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games.
Chess Advice
“When you see a good move, look for a better one”-2nd World Champion Emanuel Lasker
Answer of Chess Problem of the Week
(from 01/26/18) 26. Qxd6!
Can you fill in the blanks of the amazing sacrifice that Lasker pulls off here?
15.______+ Kxh7 16.______+ Kg8
17._______ Kxg7 18.______+ Kh7
19._______ Rg8? 20.Rh3#
Winner of January 2018 Scholastic Championships!
Christopher McFadden! Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at this tournament, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on Feb 10th Scholastic Championships run from 3pm-6pm
Top 5 USCF Ratings in 2018
- Quinton Daniels 860
- Christopher McFadden 844
- Matthew Miamidian 753
- Addison Fort 683
- Patrick McFadden 628
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games.
Chess Advice
“When you see a good move, look for a better one”-2nd World Champion Emanuel Lasker
Answer of Chess Problem of the Week
(from 01/26/18) 26. Qxd6!
Black resigned because after 26…Rxd6 27. Rxd6 White will either do a back rank checkmate or a royal fork with 28. Rd8+
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesstempo.com
Great, free website for thousands of chess puzzles!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
My personal website:nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. USCF rated February Scholastic Championships on February 10th & 24th, 2018! The tournament runs from 3pm-6pm. By the end of this tournament all participants will have a national rating! Prizes, trophies and medals will be given out at the end of the tournament! This tournament will be held at our chess center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110 On February 24th, 2018, we have our USCF tournament for Adults and/or talented juniors. To be eligible for this tournament, you either need to be older than 12 years old, or if you are younger than 13, you can still play if you have a USCF rating of 1000+. The adult tournament runs from 12pm-5pm one door over at Suite 109.
2. South County Dream Team! Mondays, 02/05, 02/12 from 6pm-7:30pm. *Just $15 a class!*
Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
3. North County Dream Team Thursdays 02/08, 02/15, 02/22 from 5:00pm-6:00pm &/or 6:00pm-7:00pm Semi-private lessons (4 students maximum) from NM (National Master) Craig Clawitter. Each lesson students can earn prizes as well as learning new and exciting tactics & strategies from one of Southern California’s best chess players! We plan on having our North County Dream Team challenge other clubs in Southern California including a friendly competition with Academic Chess’s South County Dream Team!
3. Recycle with Ryan!: ryansrecycling.com/about/ Academic Chess will give a chess buck for every 10 bottles or cans brought in and the winner will get a LEGO chess set!
4. After-School Chess is being offered in over 150 schools in Orange County! Please check with your schools for more information. If you’d like chess in your school please contact us at 949-348-2892 or [email protected]
5. We have Friday Knight Chess Tournaments in San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Irvine, and now Anaheim Hills! Flyers for these tournaments can be found here: www.academicchess.com/flyers.htm
Opening of the Week
The Scotch Opening: 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesstempo.com
Great, free website for thousands of chess puzzles!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
My personal website:nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. USCF rated February Scholastic Championships on February 10th & 24th, 2018! The tournament runs from 3pm-6pm. By the end of this tournament all participants will have a national rating! Prizes, trophies and medals will be given out at the end of the tournament! This tournament will be held at our chess center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110 On February 24th, 2018, we have our USCF tournament for Adults and/or talented juniors. To be eligible for this tournament, you either need to be older than 12 years old, or if you are younger than 13, you can still play if you have a USCF rating of 1000+. The adult tournament runs from 12pm-5pm one door over at Suite 109.
2. South County Dream Team! Mondays, 02/05, 02/12 from 6pm-7:30pm. *Just $15 a class!*
Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
3. North County Dream Team Thursdays 02/08, 02/15, 02/22 from 5:00pm-6:00pm &/or 6:00pm-7:00pm Semi-private lessons (4 students maximum) from NM (National Master) Craig Clawitter. Each lesson students can earn prizes as well as learning new and exciting tactics & strategies from one of Southern California’s best chess players! We plan on having our North County Dream Team challenge other clubs in Southern California including a friendly competition with Academic Chess’s South County Dream Team!
3. Recycle with Ryan!: ryansrecycling.com/about/ Academic Chess will give a chess buck for every 10 bottles or cans brought in and the winner will get a LEGO chess set!
4. After-School Chess is being offered in over 150 schools in Orange County! Please check with your schools for more information. If you’d like chess in your school please contact us at 949-348-2892 or [email protected]
5. We have Friday Knight Chess Tournaments in San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Irvine, and now Anaheim Hills! Flyers for these tournaments can be found here: www.academicchess.com/flyers.htm
Opening of the Week
The Scotch Opening: 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4
White immediately attacks Black’s center and opens up both of his/her Bishops! Black gets some pretty active play themselves though, so watch out!
Looking to Take Your Chess to the Next Level?
How about some private lessons? I (Craig Clawitter) am a national master (rated over 2200 USCF) which puts me inside the top 1% of the world at chess! I've been teaching children and adults chess for over 15 years now! If your child is really serious about getting better at chess this is the best way to go!
Please contact me either at:
Phone: 949-940-5141 (cell)
Email: crageclaw@gmail.com
Website: nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Happy Kinghunting!
Program Director
NM Craig Clawitter Adam Brody
02/02/2018 949-348-2892
Academic Chess Newsletter 01/26/18
by NM Craig Clawitter
Game of the Week!
Yasser Seirawan - Jan Timman
Hilversum 50/564 Hilversum 50/564 (5), 1990
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Qb3 c5 6.a3 Ba5 7.Bg5 Nc6 8.0–0–0 Bxc3 9.d5 exd5 10.cxd5 Be5 11.dxc6 Qe7 12.cxd7+ Bxd7 13.e3 Rd8 14.Rxd7 Rxd7 15.Bb5 Bd6 16.Rd1 0–0 17.Bxd7 Qxd7 18.Bf4 c4 19.Qc2 Ne8 20.Ng5 f5 21.Qxc4+ Kh8 22.Bxd6 Nxd6 23.Qd5 Rd8 24.Ne6 Qc8+ 25.Kb1 Rd7
by NM Craig Clawitter
Game of the Week!
Yasser Seirawan - Jan Timman
Hilversum 50/564 Hilversum 50/564 (5), 1990
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Qb3 c5 6.a3 Ba5 7.Bg5 Nc6 8.0–0–0 Bxc3 9.d5 exd5 10.cxd5 Be5 11.dxc6 Qe7 12.cxd7+ Bxd7 13.e3 Rd8 14.Rxd7 Rxd7 15.Bb5 Bd6 16.Rd1 0–0 17.Bxd7 Qxd7 18.Bf4 c4 19.Qc2 Ne8 20.Ng5 f5 21.Qxc4+ Kh8 22.Bxd6 Nxd6 23.Qd5 Rd8 24.Ne6 Qc8+ 25.Kb1 Rd7
Chess Problem of the Week!.
Can you find the move that White played that made Black give up this game?
26. ___________ 1-0 Black resigns
Winner of December 2017 Scholastic Championships!
Andrei McAllister with an undefeated +4 score! Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at this tournament, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on January 27th Scholastic Championships run from 3pm-6pm
Chess Advice
“Every move is another chance to present a problem for your opponent.”
-My First Chess Coach
Answer of Chess Problem of the Week (from 01/26/18) Will be in the next newsletter
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesstempo.com
Great, free website for thousands of chess puzzles!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Top 5 USCF Ratings in 2018
(in order to qualify for this list, you must have played in a 2018 Academic Chess USCF Tournament)
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games. You can check your USCF ratings at their page: uschess.org. For more information about USCF please call 949-348-2892 or email at orangecounty@academicchess.com.
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
My personal website:nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Facebook Page:www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. Dream Team! Mondays, 01/29, 02/05, 02/12 from 6pm-7:30pm. *Just $15 a class!*
Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
2. USCF rated January Scholastic Championships on January 27th, 2018! The tournament runs from 3pm-6pm. By the end of this tournament all participants will have a national rating! Prizes, trophies and medals will be given out at the end of the tournament! This tournament will be held at our chess center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
On the same day, January 27th 2018, we are excited to have our USCF tournament for Adults and/or talented juniors. In order to be eligible for this tournament you either need to be older than 12 years old or if you are younger than 13, you can still play if you have a USCF rating of 1000+. The adult tournament runs from 12pm-5pm one door over at Suite 109.
3. Recycle with Ryan!: http://ryansrecycling.com/about/ Academic Chess will give a chess buck for every 10 bottles or cans brought in and the winner will get a LEGO chess set!
4. After-School Chess is being offered in over 150 schools in Orange County! Please check with your schools for more information. If you’d like chess in your school please contact us at 949-348-2892 or [email protected]
5. We have Friday Knight Chess Tournaments in San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Irvine, and now Anaheim Hills! Flyers for these tournaments can be found here: http://www.academicchess.com/flyers.htm
Opening of the Week
The Nimzo-Indian Defense: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4
Can you find the move that White played that made Black give up this game?
26. ___________ 1-0 Black resigns
Winner of December 2017 Scholastic Championships!
Andrei McAllister with an undefeated +4 score! Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at this tournament, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on January 27th Scholastic Championships run from 3pm-6pm
Chess Advice
“Every move is another chance to present a problem for your opponent.”
-My First Chess Coach
Answer of Chess Problem of the Week (from 01/26/18) Will be in the next newsletter
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesstempo.com
Great, free website for thousands of chess puzzles!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Top 5 USCF Ratings in 2018
(in order to qualify for this list, you must have played in a 2018 Academic Chess USCF Tournament)
- N/A as our first USCF tournament in 2018 is on Saturday, January 27, 2018!
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games. You can check your USCF ratings at their page: uschess.org. For more information about USCF please call 949-348-2892 or email at orangecounty@academicchess.com.
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
My personal website:nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Facebook Page:www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. Dream Team! Mondays, 01/29, 02/05, 02/12 from 6pm-7:30pm. *Just $15 a class!*
Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
2. USCF rated January Scholastic Championships on January 27th, 2018! The tournament runs from 3pm-6pm. By the end of this tournament all participants will have a national rating! Prizes, trophies and medals will be given out at the end of the tournament! This tournament will be held at our chess center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
On the same day, January 27th 2018, we are excited to have our USCF tournament for Adults and/or talented juniors. In order to be eligible for this tournament you either need to be older than 12 years old or if you are younger than 13, you can still play if you have a USCF rating of 1000+. The adult tournament runs from 12pm-5pm one door over at Suite 109.
3. Recycle with Ryan!: http://ryansrecycling.com/about/ Academic Chess will give a chess buck for every 10 bottles or cans brought in and the winner will get a LEGO chess set!
4. After-School Chess is being offered in over 150 schools in Orange County! Please check with your schools for more information. If you’d like chess in your school please contact us at 949-348-2892 or [email protected]
5. We have Friday Knight Chess Tournaments in San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Irvine, and now Anaheim Hills! Flyers for these tournaments can be found here: http://www.academicchess.com/flyers.htm
Opening of the Week
The Nimzo-Indian Defense: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4
White tried to play pe4, but Black pinned the Knight on c3. It’s a battle for the e4-square!
Looking to Take Your Chess to the Next Level?
How about some private lessons? I (Craig Clawitter) am a national master (rated over 2200 USCF) which puts me inside the top 1% of the world at chess! I've been teaching children and adults chess for over 15 years now! If your child is really serious about getting better at chess this is the best way to go!
Please contact me either at:
Phone: 949-940-5141 (cell)
Email: crageclaw@gmail.com
Website: nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com
Happy Kinghunting!
Program Director
NM Craig Clawitter Adam Brody
01/26/2018 949-348-2892
Academic Chess Newsletter 06/19/2015
by NM Craig Clawitter USCF Rating: 2218
Game of the Week!
White Adolf Anderssen
Black Jean Dufresne
Berlin 1852
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O d3 8.Qb3 Qf6 9.e5 Qg6 10.Re1 10…Nge7 11.Ba3 b5 12.Qxb5 Rb8 13.Qa4 Bb6 14.Nbd2 Bb7 15.Ne4 Qf5 16.Bxd3 Qh5 17.Nf6+ 17…gxf6 18.exf6 Rg8 19.Rad1 Qxf3 20.Rxe7+ 20…Nxe7 21.Qxd7+ Kxd7 22.Bf5+ Ke8 23.Bd7+ 23…Kf8 24.Bxe7# 1-0
Winner of Academic Chess vs. Sunshine Academy
Top 4 Scores:
Academic Chess 11 – Sunshine Academy 6
Winner: Academic Chess!
Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at these tournaments, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on July 11th from 3pm-6pm
Chess Advice
“Most players … do not like losing, and consider defeat as something shameful. This is a wrong attitude. Those who wish to perfect themselves must regard their losses as lessons and learn from them what sorts of things to avoid in the future.”
-World Champion Jose Raul Capablanca
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
Dream TeamWebsite: acocdreamteam.weebly.com
Facebook Page:www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Twitter: Follow us at @AcademicChessOC
Top 10 USCF Ratings in 2015
(in order to qualify for this list, you must have played in a 2015 USCF Scholastic Championships)
Paul Rhee 1326
Cody Zhou 1188
Daniel Schneider 1185
Vincent Sacharske 1025
Tara Yaghmaei 998
Edward Ferrari 763
Mukund Ummadisetti 751
Kramer, Levi 749
Jacob Roytman 742
Matthew Connell 702
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games. For more information about USCF please call 949-348-2892 or email at orangecounty@academicchess.com.
To look up a USCF rating, go to www. uschess.org. On the left click the tab marked “Players & Ratings”, then click the option “Player/Rating Lookup”, finally type in the players last name, first name in the box provided. This will take you to that players official USCF rating; the rating they use all over the United States!!
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. Dream Team is every Monday from 6pm-7pm (with optional free play from 7pm-7:30pm). It's never too late to join in, only $10 per class, and just $5 for a pizza dinner! Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Chess Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
2. Saturday, June 27th, 2015 from 3pm to 6pm we will have our first Bughouse Championship! For bughouse rules visit: acocdreamteam.weebly.com/bughouse-rules.html
This event is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
3. Saturday, July 11th, 2015 from 3pm to 6pm we will have our July Academic Chess Scholastic Championships! This event will be USCF rated and all participants will be nationally rated! This event is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
4. Summer Camps all over Orange County! Please contact us at office phone: 949-348-2892 or email: [email protected] to find the summer camp in your area.
*RSVP and save for these events at: acocdreamteam.weebly.com/enter-in-advance-and-save.html
Opening of the Week
Scandinavian Defense main line : 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 Black counters White's center right away but has to run around with his Queen!
Looking to Take Your Chess to the Next Level?
How about some private lessons? I (Craig Clawitter) am a national master (rated over 2200 USCF) which puts me inside the top 1% of the world at chess! I've been teaching children and adults chess for over 10 years now! If your child is really serious about getting better at chess this is the best way to go!
Please contact me either at:
Phone: 949-940-5141 (cell)
Email: crageclaw@gmail.com
Happy Kinghunting!
NM Craig Clawitter Program Director: Adam Brody
06/19/ 2015 949-348-2892
by NM Craig Clawitter USCF Rating: 2218
Game of the Week!
White Adolf Anderssen
Black Jean Dufresne
Berlin 1852
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O d3 8.Qb3 Qf6 9.e5 Qg6 10.Re1 10…Nge7 11.Ba3 b5 12.Qxb5 Rb8 13.Qa4 Bb6 14.Nbd2 Bb7 15.Ne4 Qf5 16.Bxd3 Qh5 17.Nf6+ 17…gxf6 18.exf6 Rg8 19.Rad1 Qxf3 20.Rxe7+ 20…Nxe7 21.Qxd7+ Kxd7 22.Bf5+ Ke8 23.Bd7+ 23…Kf8 24.Bxe7# 1-0
Winner of Academic Chess vs. Sunshine Academy
Top 4 Scores:
Academic Chess 11 – Sunshine Academy 6
Winner: Academic Chess!
Congrats to everyone that challenged themselves at these tournaments, you all improved immensely!
Come join us for the next USCF Tournament on July 11th from 3pm-6pm
Chess Advice
“Most players … do not like losing, and consider defeat as something shameful. This is a wrong attitude. Those who wish to perfect themselves must regard their losses as lessons and learn from them what sorts of things to avoid in the future.”
-World Champion Jose Raul Capablanca
Important Websites
www.uschess.org
Look under player and ratings and find your child's national USCF rating!
www.chessbase.com
Keep up with all the international chess news!
www.chesskid.com
play free (and safe) online chess against other kids and teachers across the US and world!
www.chess.com
play free online chess against anybody in the world! Warning: This is not a protected site, and there are very strong players on this website...not for the faint of heart!
Contact Us
Office Phone Number: 949-348-2892
Office Email: orangecounty@academicchess.com
Office Website: www.academicchess.com
Dream TeamWebsite: acocdreamteam.weebly.com
Facebook Page:www.facebook.com/AcademicChessOC
Twitter: Follow us at @AcademicChessOC
Top 10 USCF Ratings in 2015
(in order to qualify for this list, you must have played in a 2015 USCF Scholastic Championships)
Paul Rhee 1326
Cody Zhou 1188
Daniel Schneider 1185
Vincent Sacharske 1025
Tara Yaghmaei 998
Edward Ferrari 763
Mukund Ummadisetti 751
Kramer, Levi 749
Jacob Roytman 742
Matthew Connell 702
To get a USCF rating, you must join the USCF (membership fee is only $17/year for under 13 year olds!) and then play at least 3 USCF rated games. For more information about USCF please call 949-348-2892 or email at orangecounty@academicchess.com.
To look up a USCF rating, go to www. uschess.org. On the left click the tab marked “Players & Ratings”, then click the option “Player/Rating Lookup”, finally type in the players last name, first name in the box provided. This will take you to that players official USCF rating; the rating they use all over the United States!!
Exciting Upcoming Events!
1. Dream Team is every Monday from 6pm-7pm (with optional free play from 7pm-7:30pm). It's never too late to join in, only $10 per class, and just $5 for a pizza dinner! Our top Academic Chess students come every Monday night learn new and exciting chess openings, tactics, and strategies from a National Chessmaster! Dream Team is held at our Chess Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
2. Saturday, June 27th, 2015 from 3pm to 6pm we will have our first Bughouse Championship! For bughouse rules visit: acocdreamteam.weebly.com/bughouse-rules.html
This event is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
3. Saturday, July 11th, 2015 from 3pm to 6pm we will have our July Academic Chess Scholastic Championships! This event will be USCF rated and all participants will be nationally rated! This event is held at our Center Center: 26941 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Suite 110
4. Summer Camps all over Orange County! Please contact us at office phone: 949-348-2892 or email: [email protected] to find the summer camp in your area.
*RSVP and save for these events at: acocdreamteam.weebly.com/enter-in-advance-and-save.html
Opening of the Week
Scandinavian Defense main line : 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 Black counters White's center right away but has to run around with his Queen!
Looking to Take Your Chess to the Next Level?
How about some private lessons? I (Craig Clawitter) am a national master (rated over 2200 USCF) which puts me inside the top 1% of the world at chess! I've been teaching children and adults chess for over 10 years now! If your child is really serious about getting better at chess this is the best way to go!
Please contact me either at:
Phone: 949-940-5141 (cell)
Email: crageclaw@gmail.com
Happy Kinghunting!
NM Craig Clawitter Program Director: Adam Brody
06/19/ 2015 949-348-2892