Interview with Texas Tech GM Davorin Kuljasevic

Interview with Knight Raider Captain GM Davorin Kuljasevic shortly before his graduation on May 13, 2011. He will receive an MBA in Finance from Texas Tech University tonight.

Lubbock Prom Theme involving Chess

Students from Lubbock - Cooper decided to have a Prom theme involving Chess :)

More pics from the prom here: http://spotted.lubbockonline.com/galleries/index.php?id=444728

Upcoming chess events in Lubbock

Multiple upcoming chess events in Lubbock

* UIL Invitational in Chess Puzzle Solving

Saturday, May 7, 2011

The Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) invites you to take part in the UIL Invitational in Chess Puzzle Solving at the Texas Tech’s Student Union Ballroom.

Sections: K-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12 Grades

Competition: 10:00 am-10:30 am

Advance registration Entry fee is only $5!

Advance registration: Please register and send Entry Blank and Fees to TTU-SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080

On-site registration $10: 8:30 am – 9:30am

Awesome chess prizes for the winners in each section!

Info: 806-742-7742 or email SPICE@ttu.edu

* SPICE Scholastic Open Chess Championship

Saturday, May 7, 2011

A 4 Round Swiss System Tournament (Game/30)

Event Site: Texas Tech University, Student Union Ballroom Lubbock, TX

Description of Tournament: A USCF rated Individual and Team Scholastic Championship

Games are played in five sections: Primary (K-2), Elementary (K-5), Middle School (K-8), High School (K-12) and Novice section K-12 (no USCF membership required). There is a total of 30 minutes maximum per player per game.

On-site registration and check in 8:30am – 10:00am. All players must check in by 10:30am. Later arrival will receive a ½ point bye for the first round.

Round schedule: 10:45am – 12:00pm – 1:30pm and 2:45pm

UIL Chess Puzzle-Solving Invitational at 10am. See separate flyer.

Entry Fees: $10 received by 4/22; $15 received by 5/4, or on site $20. A valid USCF membership required in all sections, except Novice K-12. It can be obtained at www.uschess.org or onsite on 5/7 until 10am.

Prizes: Trophies for top 3 finishers in each section. Trophies to top school team in each section.

Special valuable chess prizes to the top overall finisher in each section sponsored by the Susan Polgar Foundation! Team prizes are based on the top 3 individual scores from the same school within the same section. There will be a special trophy for top sibling team. Prize giving ceremony will be held shortly after the end of the last game which is around 4:00pm.

Chess boards and sets will be provided. Bring a chess clock if you have one.

Please register send Entry Blank and Fees to TTU-SPICE send to: SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080 Additional information on www.SPICE.ttu.edu

* Knight Raider Open Chess Championship

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

A 4 Round Swiss System Tournament (Game/30)

Event Site: Texas Tech University, Student Union Ballroom, Lubbock, TX

Contact Info: 806-742-7742 E-mail: chase.watters@ttuhsc.edu

Description of Tournament: A USCF rated Individual Championship

Games are played in one section. Game in 30 minutes (per player) G/30

On-site registration and check in 8:30am – 9:30am. All players must check in by 9:45am. Later arrival will receive a ½ point bye for the first round.

Round schedule: 10:00am – 11:15am – 1:00pm and 2:15pm

Entry Fees: $10 received by 5/1; $15 received by 5/4, or on site $20. A valid USCF membership required.

Prizes: Cash prizes to top 3 players, and TBD based on player turnout.

Chess boards and sets will be provided. Bring a chess clock if you have one.

Please register send Entry Blank and Fees to TTU-SPICE send to: SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080.

Additional information is available on www.SPICE.ttu.edu or call 806-742-7742.

* Chess Summer Camp at Texas Tech University
July 11-15, 2011

Learn chess from world champion Susan Polgar and her team. Beginners to advanced K-12 players welcome. Campers will practice writing and computer skills. Sports and other activities offered.

• Commuter Plan: $295/week
Check-in Monday 8 am – 9 am. Camp hours are 9 am – 5:00 pm daily Monday – Thursday. Camp ends at 3pm on Friday. Lunch and snacks included.

• Residential Plan: $595/week
Arrive Sunday 7/10 between 6pm – 9pm. Dorm lodging and all meals are included, including dinner on Sunday through lunch on Friday.

Camp ends at 3pm on Friday. Residential plan is based on double occupancy. Grades 5 – 12 only.
Very limited space!
Residential plan registration closes June 6, 2011.
See http://www.SPICE.ttu.edu, email SPICE@ttu.edu, or call (806) 742-7742.

SPICE Chess Summer Camp

Special custom chess board by www.GLOSgames.com

Chess Summer Camp
July 11-15, 2011
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Learn chess from world champion Susan Polgar and her team. Beginners to advanced K-12 players welcome.

Campers will practice writing and computer skills. Sports and other activities offered.

• Commuter Plan: $295/week

Check-in Monday 8am-9am. Camp hours are 9am-5:00pm daily Monday - Thursday. Camp ends at 3pm on Friday. Lunch and snacks included.

• Residential Plan: $595/week

Arrive Sunday 7/10 between 6pm - 9pm. Dorm lodging and all meals are included, including dinner on Sunday through lunch on Friday.

Camp ends at 3pm on Friday. Residential plan is based on double occupancy. Grades 5-12 only.

Very limited space!

Residential plan registration closes June 6, 2011.

See http://www.SPICE.ttu.edu, email SPICE@ttu.edu, or call (806) 742-7742.

Knight Raiders celebration in Lubbock

United Supermarket, the largest supermarket chain in West Texas, hosted a celebration with the Texas Tech Knight Raiders at their flagship Market Street store on 50th Street and Indiana.

Big win for the Knight Raiders and Dr. Karlsson

The Knight Raiders Chess Club just won the 2010-11 Texas Tech University Most Improved Student Organization and the Texas Tech Student Organization of the Year Awards!

In addition, Dr. Hal Karlsson also won the 2010-11 Texas Tech University Most Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award!

KRCC President Brett James and team member Josh Osbourn received the awards on behalf of the Knight Raiders.

Congratulations to the Knight Raiders and Dr. Hal Karlsson!

Upcoming chess events in Lubbock

Multiple upcoming chess events in Lubbock

* UIL Invitational in Chess Puzzle Solving
Saturday, May 7, 2011

The Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) invites you to take part in the UIL Invitational in Chess Puzzle Solving at the Texas Tech’s Student Union Ballroom.
Sections: K-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12 Grades
Competition: 10:00 am-10:30 am
Advance registration Entry fee is only $5!
Advance registration: Please register and send Entry Blank and Fees to
TTU-SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080
On-site registration $10: 8:30 am – 9:30am
Awesome chess prizes for the winners in each section!
Info: 806-742-7742 or email SPICE@ttu.edu

* SPICE Scholastic Open Chess Championship
Saturday, May 7, 2011

A 4 Round Swiss System Tournament (Game/30)
Event Site: Texas Tech University, Student Union Ballroom Lubbock, TX
Description of Tournament: A USCF rated Individual and Team Scholastic Championship
Games are played in five sections: Primary (K-2), Elementary (K-5), Middle School (K-8), High School (K-12) and Novice section K-12 (no USCF membership required). There is a total of 30 minutes maximum per player per game.
On-site registration and check in 8:30am – 10:00am. All players must check in by 10:30am. Later arrival will receive a ½ point bye for the first round.
Round schedule: 10:45am – 12:00pm – 1:30pm and 2:45pm
UIL Chess Puzzle-Solving Invitational at 10am. See separate flyer.
Entry Fees: $10 received by 4/22; $15 received by 5/4, or on site $20. A valid USCF membership required in all sections, except Novice K-12. It can be obtained at www.uschess.org or onsite on 5/7 until 10am.
Prizes: Trophies for top 3 finishers in each section. Trophies to top school team in each section.
Special valuable chess prizes to the top overall finisher in each section sponsored by the Susan Polgar Foundation! Team prizes are based on the top 3 individual scores from the same school within the same section. There will be a special trophy for top sibling team. Prize giving ceremony will be held shortly after the end of the last game which is around 4:00pm.
Chess boards and sets will be provided. Bring a chess clock if you have one.
Please register send Entry Blank and Fees to TTU-SPICE send to: SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080 Additional information on www.SPICE.ttu.edu

* Knight Raider Open Chess Championship
Saturday, May 7th, 2011

A 4 Round Swiss System Tournament (Game/30)
Event Site: Texas Tech University, Student Union Ballroom, Lubbock, TX
Contact Info: 806-742-7742 E-mail: chase.watters@ttuhsc.edu
Description of Tournament: A USCF rated Individual Championship
Games are played in one section. Game in 30 minutes (per player) G/30
On-site registration and check in 8:30am – 9:30am. All players must check in by 9:45am. Later arrival will receive a ½ point bye for the first round.
Round schedule: 10:00am – 11:15am – 1:00pm and 2:15pm
Entry Fees: $10 received by 5/1; $15 received by 5/4, or on site $20. A valid USCF membership required.
Prizes: Cash prizes to top 3 players, and TBD based on player turnout.
Chess boards and sets will be provided. Bring a chess clock if you have one.
Please register send Entry Blank and Fees to TTU-SPICE send to: SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409-5080.
Additional information is available on www.SPICE.ttu.edu or call 806-742-7742.

* Chess Summer Camp at Texas Tech University
July 11-15, 2011

Learn chess from world champion Susan Polgar and her team. Beginners to advanced K-12 players welcome. Campers will practice writing and computer skills. Sports and other activities offered.

• Commuter Plan: $295/week
Check-in Monday 8 am – 9 am. Camp hours are 9 am – 5:00 pm daily Monday – Thursday. Camp ends at 3pm on Friday. Lunch and snacks included.

• Residential Plan: $595/week
Arrive Sunday 7/10 between 6pm – 9pm. Dorm lodging and all meals are included, including dinner on Sunday through lunch on Friday.

Camp ends at 3pm on Friday. Residential plan is based on double occupancy. Grades 5 – 12 only.
Very limited space!
Residential plan registration closes June 6, 2011.
See http://www.SPICE.ttu.edu, email SPICE@ttu.edu, or call (806) 742-7742.

8th Annual Susan Polgar Girl's Invitational

8th Annual Susan Polgar Girl's Invitational

Rules and Conditions for the 8th Annual Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational (SPGI)
July 24 – 29, 2011 at Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas

Over $120,000 in chess scholarships, chess prizes, netbook computers, etc.

The annual Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational, the most prestigious all-girls event in the United States, will be held at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The opening ceremony will be at 1:00 PM on July 24. The format this year is similar to 2010.

• There will be a three (3) day intense world class training sessions with Susan Polgar and her team, followed by a 6 round (g/60) championship tournament.
• The traditional Blitz, Puzzle Solving, Bughouse events will stay the same as in previous years.
• There will be many chess prizes awarded, including scholarship(s) to Texas Tech University.

Each state is allowed one representative. Official representative alternates may be substituted no later than June 15. (Susan Polgar and/or the new Polgar Committee may allow the host state to enter an additional qualified player.) Susan Polgar and/or the new Polgar Committee (PolgarCommittee@gmail.com) may allow exceptions to the June 1 entry/alternate deadline. Should the state affiliate fail to respond to the notice for this tournament, Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may determine the candidate from that state.

Players must have been enrolled in a school (up to 12th grade) located in the state they represent, also of the year in which the tournament is held. Home-schooled students who are under the age of 19 on July 29th of the year in which the event is held or students who have never attended college on a full time basis prior to June 1 of the year in which the tournament is held, are eligible to represent the state in which they reside.

Exception: If a player graduates from high school early and is already attending college, she may still represent her state if nominated. This is the decision of each state affiliate.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The participants of the Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational DO NOT have to be high school students. Any qualifier under the age of 19 (by July 29th of the year in which the tournament is held) is eligible!

Players are required to furnish the organizer an emergency phone number and the e-mail address of a parent/guardian. There is no fee to participate in the 2011 SPGI; however, players are responsible for their own travel, room and meal expenses. If players choose to stay and/or dine on TTU’s campus, inexpensive accommodations are available. Please note that all reservations and registrations MUST be made (and accommodation expenses prepaid) no later than June 25, 2010.

Prizes: Trophies / plaques will be awarded to the winners of the Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational Puzzle Solving, Blitz, and the SPGI Championship. Co-champions are recognized in the case of a tie, with each champion receiving a Champion’s Plaque or Trophy. The Champion (or Co-Champions) will automatically be invited to defend her/their title (must meet age requirement).

Champion: TTU scholarship (equivalent to nearly $40,000 for an out of state student) + netbook computer + Champion's Plaque / Trophy

2nd place: TTU scholarship (equivalent to nearly $40,000 for an out of state student) + additional prizes

3rd place: TTU scholarship (equivalent to nearly $40,000 for an out of state student) + additional prizes

Top under 13: netbook computer
Top under 10: netbook computer

The scholarship must be exercised no later than the Fall of 2013.

The New Polgar Committee’s goal is to have all 50 states (including two representatives for California and two for Texas) and the District of Columbia represented. We strongly encourage each state and the District of Columbia affiliate to hold a scholastic championship tournament to determine each state’s champion and representative. Failing this, rating criteria may be acceptable. A scholastic girls’ champion or the highest rated girls’ scholastic player in a state who has no state affiliate of the USCF should contact the Polgar Committee as soon as possible (PolgarCommitte@gmail.com).

Special invitation for this year only: All past participants of the SPNI and SPGI (Susan Polgar National Invitational/Susan Polgar Girls’ Invitational 2004-2010) are invited to participate in the 2011 SPGI. The idea is to have the past participants learn my method of training so they can go back home and share their knowledge with the younger players. However, registration MUST be made no later than June 15, 2011 since space is limited. There will be separate prizes for participants over the age of 19.

Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee (PolgarCommitte@gmail.com) and its members may elect to award wild cards each year for the Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational.

Special qualifying events: The Polgar Committee will award automatic qualifying spots to the reigning winners in each section of the annual Susan Polgar National Open for Girls (Arizona).

Contact info: The Susan Polgar Foundation can be contacted at 806-742-7742 or through SusanPolgar@aol.com.

The new SPGI Chairperson is Martha Underwood (AZ).

NOTICE TO ALL STATE OFFICIALS: Please send the nomination from your state to the Polgar Committee (PolgarCommittee@gmail.com).

For information and rates to stay and/or dine on TTU’s campus, please send an email to SusanPolgar@aol.com or Peggy.Flores@ttu.edu.

Excellence ON and OFF the board

The accumulative grade of the Texas Tech Knight Raiders chess teams this semester is approximately 3.30, with 4 players earning a perfect 4.0!

Here are some of their majors: Economics, Finance, Math, Electrical Engineering, Psychology, Law, Spanish, English, Political Science, Biotech, and Microbiology, etc.

In addition to getting good grades, they also worked hard to improve their chess skills. Through the special SPICE training program, 3 of our players earned the GM title in the past 6 months!

In addition, many members of the Knight Raiders also volunteered countless hours to teach and promote chess in the Lubbock community through schools, libraries, and senior centers, etc.

I am very proud of my players and we will work hard to continue the tradition of excellence on and off the board.

Texas Tech, SPICE Introduces Old Game to Young Players

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Dec. 10, 2010
CONTACT: Karin Slyker

Texas Tech, SPICE Introduces Old Game to Young Players

WHAT: Texas Tech University announces a state pilot program for students of Lubbock Independent School District.

WHEN: 1 p.m. Monday (Dec. 13)

WHERE: Wester Elementary, 4602 Chicago Ave.

EVENT: Chess will be the subject of a University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition next year for elementary and middle school students. The pilot program was proposed by the Texas Tech Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE), part of the Division of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement.

The competition will be in the format of solving chess puzzles designed by Grandmaster Polgar. Competing students in grades two through eight will have 20 puzzles to solve in 30 minutes.

Elementary school students will choose their answers from mostly multiple choice questions in which white can checkmate black in one move, while older students will have puzzles that are checkmates in one or two moves.

According to Lynn Elms, the regional director for UIL, the pilot chess program is a historic moment for Texas Tech, which has a 75-year association with UIL. This is the first competition that Texas Tech has proposed.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu.