Every week, Saint Paul's Chess Club will hold a tournament. Each player has 10 minutes to play. During the tournament, ratings will be given. Every student starts with a provisional rating of 900 points. Higher ranked players pair off with higher ranked players, while lower rank players play with one another, and then move up the ladder. This ensures that everyone has a chance to win.

Ramon-Leon 0-1

Sherrod-Nelson 0-1

Nelson-Leon 1-0

Carlos-Ramon 1-0

Eddie-Shem 1-0

Carlos-Leon 1-0

Eddie-Leon 0-1

Carlos-Nelson 0-1

Saint Paul's Chess Club Rating List

Ranking                Student                                        Rating

1st                        Nelson Davalos                                945

2nd                        Carlos Wilhoit                                915

3rd                        Leon Trought                                900

                       Eddie Oliver                                900

4th                        Shem Shorey                                845

                         Sherrod Lightfoot                        845

5th                        Ramon Baker                                830

Saint Paul’s Chess Club  

Basic Rules of Chess:

1. The goal of the game is to checkmate.

2. In the opening, develop knights before bishops.

3. Castle early in the opening to connect rooks and queen.

4. Do not develop queen early in the game.

5. Do not move the same piece twice in the opening.

6. Whoever develops more pieces in the beginning of the game usually wins a tempo and wins the game.

7. Avoid cramped positions.

8. Gain control of the center early in the game: example, if you are white, open with e4 or d4.

9. Do not develop knights to the side of the board. "A knight on the rim is dim."

10. Do not block your bishop behind the pawns. Bishops like open diagonals.

11. Learn different types of openings, but avoid risky openings unless you study them.

12. Sacrifice material if you can win the game.

13. Relative values of pieces: 1 pt. = pawn 3 pts.= bishop/knight 5 pts.= rook 9 pts.=queen. A passed pawn is a pawn about to promote by reaching the last rank and is worth more. Bishops are usually worth more than knights in open positions without many pawns on the board. Knights are usually worth more than bishops in closed positions with many pawns on the board. Rooks are more valuable when the control an open file without any obstructing pawns. Queens tend to be more valuable towards the end game. A king often plays a valuable role in the endgame when it must be more active. If you can checkmate, it doesn't matter how much material you or your opponent has. Sometimes, it is worthwhile to exchange a rook for a knight or bishop if it gives you the possibility to attack the enemy king.

14. Learn how to accumulate small advantages and maintain the tension in the game. Keep pressuring your opponent to make a mistake.

15. Pay attention to the clock. You can be winning but still lose the game on time.

16. Devise a strategy, don't just move your pieces randomly. For example, how do you think you can attack your enemy's king and checkmate?

17. Learn all endgames: King and Rook versus lone king, King and Queen versus lone king, king and two bishops versus lone king, King and Queen versus King and Rook, King and Two Rooks versus King and Rook, King and Rook and pawn versus King and Rook, King and Bishop versus King and Rook, King and Knight versus King and Queen, as well as pawn endgames.

18. Learn at least one opening such as queen's gambit. Study all possible variations.

1. If you are just starting at the beginning of the year, and no one has a club rating, everyone starts at 900 points.

2. In your first school tournament, a player receives 15 points for every win and loses 15 points for every loss.

3. In future tournaments, higher-rated players receive 10 points for every win in their section and lose 15 points for every loss. Lower-rated players receive 15 points for every win against a higher-rated player in their section, but only lose 5 points for a loss.

4. In the case of draws or stalemates, the higher-rated player loses 10 points and the lower-rated player gains 10 points.

5. When a tournament ends, bonus points can be awarded to the top three players in each section. The first place finisher could receive 25 points, second place 15, and third place 10. Bonus points are usually awarded in the first few months of the chess club year, to help players find their level more quickly.

Chess Club Classification of Players:

2000+  Grandmaster

1999-1800 Master

1799-1600 5th Category

1599-1400 4th Category

1399-1200 3rd Category

1199-1000 2nd Category

999-1  1st Category

Knockout Chess Tournament: First Tournament, scheduled on Thursday, December 4th, 1 PM at Dr. Comprone’s office

Every game is 10 minutes in length for each side. Dr. Comprone will decide the pairings. In the case of a tiebreak, opponents will play a second game. You cannot advance to the next round without defeating your opponent.

Ratings will be calculated on this page and kept updated on this page. Everyone begins with a provisional rating of 900.