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.

First ever UIL Chess Competition

First ever UIL Chess Competition

Texas Tech and the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence invite K-12 students to take part in the first ever historic UIL (University Interscholastic League) Invitational in Chess Puzzle Solving on Jan. 22 at the Science Spectrum.

There will be four grade sections:

K-3
4-5
6-8
9-12

Entry fee is only $5!

Onsite registration: 11:30 am-12:15 pm; Competition: 12:30 pm-1:00 pm.

There will be awesome chess prizes for the winners in each section!

For information, please call 806-742-7742 or email SPICE@ttu.edu.

Historic chess initiative in Texas

Texas Tech University and SPICE officially launched the UIL Chess Puzzle Solving Statewide Pilot in the state of Texas earlier today at Wester Elementary School in Lubbock, Texas. UIL is the largest interschool organization of its kind in the world!

More than 300 students, teachers, parents, administrators, and various media, etc. were on hand for the launching of this historic competition.

This will potentially provide excellent opportunities for millions of chess playing students in the entire state of Texas to compete and earn scholarships for years to come. This is the first time that Chess has been accepted as an UIL Competition in its 101 year history!

"The seeds of the UIL were planted in 1904, when Dr. S.E. Mezes, president of UT, decided the state's foremost university needed to be of service to the entire state.... Since 1910, the records and achievements of state high school participants have justified the decision of the University to support this program of public school service. The UIL has grown into the largest interschool organization of its kind in the world, and is the envy of similar groups nationwide. The UIL exists to provide educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests. So successful is the program that one of every two high school seniors has participated in a UIL event prior to graduation. The initials "UIL" have come to represent quality educational competition, administered by school people on an amateur and equitable basis." (Official UIL Info)

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.