Daily Message from Coach Russ - Thankful Thursday
Dear Friends,
Start your day with a good laugh. Our very own Coach Aaron has been entertaining us with top notch chess jokes for years and now he is bringing his act online.
Not only is Coach Aaron providing a good laugh, we have our entire coaching team uploading excellent content for beginner, intermediate and advanced players. We also have recordings of our daily live streams and our daily coaches meetings. You can see coaches such as Logan, Sam Shankland, Aaron, Jonathan, Angel, Nathan W, Ian, Russ, Matheu, Kenny, Malcolm, Vicki, Nathan G, just to name a few.
Thankful Thursdays:
Thanks to everyone who sent over little personal notes for us to share with the entire community, We will continue to share your stories each and every Thankful Thursday! Keep on sending them over and we will continue to share your stories each and every Thankful Thursday. Please include name, school and any photos. We will also create a dedicated page on our website to share.
We heard from you:
JC and I just wanted to thank you and ICN for introducing Elliott to chess and helping him discover his love for the game. It's so special to see how much passion can come from a 7 year old who only started a year ago. Already before remote learning, you guys were killing it with your programming, and even in this tough situation, you have created amazing opportunities to keep Elliott engaged and challenged everyday. Thank you to all the coaches - all your hard work and dedication are truly making an impact on all these young minds!
- Jennifer (Elliott Goodrich's mom - PS 77 Lower Lab)
Dean Shalaby and Andrew Plasse - PS 281
#Chessfriends
Our son Julian attends PS10. His love of chess began with Chess in the Schools when he was in 1st grade. Shortly thereafter, we enrolled him to be a part of The Gladiators. He has worked entirely on his own, as we, his parents, know very little about chess. With that said, Julian has faced many challenges. One of his highlights has been assisting his team to help bring home the Brooklyn Cup two times! But, I have to say that competing at U1000 level for the 1st at the 54th Annual Greater NY Scholastic Championships was thrilling for him. He met Garry Kasparov and Julian felt like he was going to explode from the excitement of it all.
We believe that chess has helped him grow in countless ways, particularly in the realm of being a team player. We are grateful to all of the coaches he has crossed paths with over the past year. Thank YOU for sharing your knowledge and passing it on to our children. They are listening.
Best,
Julian’s mom, Rachel
I just want to commend the ICN community.. if you thought the ICN community just showed up during a pandemic than you are wrong.. for 3 years the ICN community especially Coach Russ has helped my family and therefore became an extension of my family. As a working parent, especially during the summer, it's not always easy to get your child/children to one of their many camp choices. Coach Russ would meet me by job, pick up my son and travel the rest of the way to camp with him. Obviously making it possible for my son to attend camp and for me to make it to work on time.
Anthony - PS 111
Once my opponent fell for a checkmate. He just moved his Bishop where my rook was going to be and I checkmated him. Then we shook hands and both said good game. Then we went back to our mamas and I hope no one gets COVID-19 at any of the schools.
Daniel Mulvihill, 5 years old, PS 33
Even in these tough times we still have to push through and find a way.
Patrick Mulvihill, 8 years old, PS 33
I dug up these photos taken in 2015 and 2016 when Jed was first starting out in chess! Has it really been 6 years?? He looks so serious, so excited to have graduated into the G&T arena. At such a young age when he was hungry for competition and challenge, chess was such a great creative endeavor for him. Everything about your quads from the cache, to the fun playground to coach Angel’s skiddling made it so enticing for Jed. And the other photo may be the first time he won one of your quads. Finally he started earning his keep ;) I can still remember how proud he was to get that check! You and your team, coach Angel, Shawn have always been there for any student welcoming them into the exciting world of chess with its possibilities for all. Your infectious enthusiasm and ingenious strategies encourage all to walk in, give chess a try and ultimately fall in love with the sport and all that it can bring. I don’t know how you do it but you always manage to find a way to bring new energy and perspective, exciting new angles and goals. Most importantly you always build a community where players can find a supportive and encouraging home. So it is now wonder that now, you have stepped up once again during this trying time, welcoming all chess players with new opportunities for learning and playing chess. Having stepped away from the board for the winter for skiing, Jed is back in and more into it than ever, thanks to all the events and fun you are building online. Many many thanks!!
All the best,
Sloan family
Chess has been an absolute life line for us during this tumultuous and uncertain times. Both of my kids love playing on and watching instructional videos on chesskid.com. Oliver participates in his weekly team meeting and in daily tournaments. Getting to play chess is an incentive for getting his school work done.
-Dahlia - PS 130 Brooklyn
Reaching our Goals:
Friday we had the following players compete:
11:30 AM Morning Rapid - 60 Players - New Goal = 100 Players
4:00 PM Serious Matches - 96 Players - Goal = 100 Players
How to play:
11:30 AM - Daily | 4:00 PM - Daily
Log into the ChessKid username we provided you for Chess Club and Team. Our tournaments are not available to any personally created accounts.
Log in on a web browser and visit Play vs Kid to see the tournaments https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess
Registration (and the Join button) will only open 15 minutes before the start of the tournament.
If you are having trouble navigating Chesskid we have created a detailed guide and solutions are available here: https://impactcoachingnetwork.org/chesskidsolutions.
For immediate help for chesskid please email: icnchesskid@gmail.com with the Chesskid username in the subject line, and any relevant screenshots we may be able to use.
Daily Online Schedule:
9:00 AM - Daily Opening Email - Email Archive
Content, puzzle contests, self study, private coaching
11:30 AM, 5-round, G10, d5 - ICN Rapid Open will include all players across the ICN networks
3:00 PM - School specific zoom club meetings
3:30 PM - Daily Coaches Meeting - Watch Here
4:00 PM, 3 rounds G25, d5 - same format as our ICN monthly tournaments w/ U300, U700, U1000 & Open sections
Content, puzzle contests, self study, private coaching
We also have live commentary for our 11:30 and 4:00 events - Watch Live Here
Daily Tournament Results: April 15th - See Full Results Here
Daily Tournaments; Individual and Team Standings - Full Results Here
Top 10 Chesskid Ratings - Full Results Here
Most Puzzles Solved Past 7 Days - Full Results Here
Puzzle Contest Team Standings (Sorted by puzzles solved all time by Top 4 players) - Full Results Here
ICN Online Community: Things to Note
Daily Chess Club Meetings: 3:00 - 3:45 PM
We are happy to announce that starting this week, we will be offering club meetings during normal times through Zoom. This means that whatever day you usually attend chess, you will now have the opportunity to continue that, only virtually for now. Zoom club will begin promptly at 3:00 PM and will run until 3:45 PM to ensure enough time for serious play at 4:00 PM.
Program Advice:
If you are an advanced player - 700 + USCF: DO EVERYTHING (Puzzles, videos, tournaments, lessons, live streams, books, exercises, chess, chess, chess) * We will be including interactive group classes on Zoom shortly.
If you are an intermediate player - 300 + USCF: DO EVERYTHING (Puzzles, videos, tournaments, lessons, live streams, books, exercises, chess, chess, chess) * We will be including interactive group classes on Zoom shortly.
If you are New To Chess:
* Focus on the Learn section on chesskid.com
Lessons on chesskid.com. Start with Lesson One (Pawn 1) and continue all the way through (as many as are appropriate for your desired speed of advancement)
Supplement with Videos on chesskid.com. Start by watching each Beginner Video (as many as are appropriate for your desired speed of advancement)
As your knowledge base grows from Lessons and Videos, keep trying to work on solving Puzzles (this should happen in tandem)
Once Puzzles begin to click...You should begin to test your skills on Play vs Kid on chesskid.com (time control 15 minutes)
Daily Online Schedule:
9:00 AM - Daily Opening Email
Content, puzzle contests, self study, private coaching
11:30 AM, 5-round, G10, d5 - ICN Rapid Open will include all players across the ICN networks
3:30 PM - Daily Coaches Meeting Uploaded on Youtube - Watch Here
4:00 PM, 3 rounds G25, d5 - same format as our ICN monthly tournaments w/ U300, U700, U1000 & Open sections
Content, puzzle contests, self study, private coaching
Daily Morning Email: 9:00 AM
Our morning email will discuss upcoming events, introduce new programming elements, give updated team and individual stats, and address any prevailing questions.
Daily Rapid Tournament: 11:30 AM
Rapid open (G10, D5) for all ICN players. 5 rounds of morning fun. log into chesskid.com to receive your daily event information. Results from these events are counting towards team and individual standings.
Online Commentary Included, See Here
Daily Team Meetings Uploaded on Youtube: 3:30 PM
We will live stream daily Team meetings hosted by different ICN Coaches. Our meetings are geared toward giving program updates including past, present and future events and also connecting out students directly to each other and their coaches. Join Here.
Daily Serious Games: 4:00 PM
We have grouped our players according to their USCF rating and placed longer time controls (G25, D5) to allow for more serious thoughtful competition. We encourage everyone to participate in these EVERY DAY! These tournaments are also included in our daily updated individual and team standings. You can join by accepting our daily invitation on chesskid.com
Online Commentary Included, See Here
Additional Programming: All Other Times
When we are not offering structured programming, we encourage you to solve PUZZLES, PUZZLES, PUZZLES. These results are also directing effecting both individual and team standings and being updated daily. We also encourage doing exercises, watching videos, working with a coach privately, along with reading chess books and any other additional resources.
Check out our youtube page for new uploaded content!
Online Community Page:
Please reference our Community Page for a FAQ on how to join and play in the tournaments. If you have any questions about logging in, email ICNChesskid@gmail.com.
Private Lesson Opportunities:
We have now successfully begun the process of connecting players with coaches for private instruction. If you are looking to add a daily/weekly structured activity into your child's schedule we are happy to connect you with one of our eager coaches. You can speak directly with them regarding scheduling, etc. If you have a particular coach in mind, please let us know, if not we are happy to make a recommendation.
Please email us at impactcoachingnetworklessons@gmail.com.
Welcoming New Members:
We had an overwhelming response to our online community and we are now thrilled to extend the opportunities to others outside of our ICN network. If you have friends interested, they can Join Here.
Team Shirt Friday
Fridays are our weekly team shirt day. Check out our friends in their team shirts @ TEAM SHIRT FRIDAYS
Send pictures in your Team Shirt on Fridays to icnonlinecommunity@gmail.com.
We will post all of our photos to our Instagram below.
Individual Winners (Top 10):
Rapid Open
Cian Mulderrig (59)
Emma Phu (11)
Kiaan Javeri (59)
Clark Shlisky (77)
Tino Pinsker (111)
Ashwin Bear (Trinity)
Henry Berlach (10)
Abyl Dowshen Flores (139)
Bruce Yaryshkin (10)
Miles Dowshen Flores (139)
1000 +
Avaan Chamadia (11)
Noah Gillston (77)
Chloe Stark (33)
Sho Moritani (59)
Elliot Goodrich (77)
Indira Raparthi (11)
Louis Barry (11)
Chenyu Zhao (59)
Arhan Javeri (59)
Jude Kazan (59)
U1000
Akaash Rau (116)
Emma Phu (11)
Matthew Wu (59)
Mila Antonios (10)
Devin Wang (77)
Micah Reiss (59)
Joshua Kuruvilla (77)
Anay Varma (11)
Jeremy K. Yoon (10)
Peter Volik (10)
U700
Clark Shlisky (77)
Kevin Xie (10)
Dihren Hemdev (59)
Lukas Kam (33)
Steven Lin (230)
Tino Pinsker (111)
Leo Kocan (230)
Arjun Bhatnagar (10)
Jose Rondeau (77)
Lia Barros (139)
U300
Wesley T Huang (33)
Takki Tanaka (77)
Simon Rifkin (116)
Wolf Allen (33)
James Chan (33)
Roger Pan (BIM)
Oliver McManus (130K)
Sean Casey Jr. (10)
Daniel Mulvihill (33)
Nikolai Elkind-Maron (230)
Daily Stats and Standings:
Finally, join me in congratulating all the winners from our daily events:
Our daily winners will be on display here.
Additionally, please see here for our updated day standings of our Puzzles contest.
Team Winners:
Rapid Open
PS 59, 14 points
PS 11, 11 points
PS 10, 10 points
PS 139, 8 points
1000 +
PS 11, 8 points
PS 59, 6 points
PS 77, 5 points
PS 33, 4 points
U1000
PS 10, 5 points
PS 11, 4 points
PS 59, 4 points
PS 77, 4 points
U700
PS 10, 8.5 points
PS 33, 6.5 points
PS 77, 5 points
PS 230, 4 points
U300
PS 33, 9 points
PS 77, 4 points
PS 10, 3.5 points
PS 116, 2.5 points
ICN Puzzle Competition:
PS 33's Team leads with a total of 7,293 puzzles completed (Top 10)
PS 33's Team leads with a total of 13,897 puzzles completed (All Time)
PS 77's Junoo Yang is leading the charts with 985 puzzles completed in the last 7 days.
PS 77's Junoo Yang is leading the charts with 164 puzzles completed in one day.
A special congratulations to PS 59's Jude Kazan for having the highest chesskid rating in the last 7 days of 2719.
We are happy to announce online streamed videos, with live commentary, and skill appropriate lesson content is available on our youtube channel.
Congratulations and keep up the great job,
Coach Russ