Free Beer Tomorrow!

This summer, which I had set upon with great enthusiasm for at least a couple of my students, has been two thirds of a bummer. The manner in which a student of any subject likes to cycle down when given a significant amount of downtime ... reflects on character. Discipline and planning have to be partly self-motivated, although most of the time it is taught by heavy handed parents and teachers.

"Tomorrow" is my least favorite word when planning to get down to work. It's a great word - and unfortunately it is used every single day. I believe it has to be second in popularity to ... "later".

Just last week - I ran into a young National Champion at the Marshall Chess Club playing in the "4 Rated Games" event. His claim that he's been working hard on his game all summer impressed me. Assuming he's studying properly, I'm willing to predict that he will surpass 2200, if not in rating then certainly in strength, just weeks into the school year. Kudos to him, and congratulations on a job well done as/if it happens. It isn't really hard to gain 200 points in three months unless you get either distracted or cocky and over confident. Most students don't know how to study for themselves and hack away at it, either by memorizing or just playing as many tournaments as they can.

About a month from now, 31 days give or take, students will all be back in school. Homework and new responsibilities will overwhelm many as they adjust to a higher grade and higher expectations. Two weeks of Chess Camp at the end of August are part of a jump start and a casting off of summer rust that is planned by many parents and perhaps the least anyone can do to get the minds back on the boards.

Of course, I don't mean to interrupt any particular mastery of procrastination by nudging about this now - you can always sign up later, maybe even tomorrow. But be careful - tomorrow never actually comes :-(

Death by Demo (The Demo board used for instruction in most classes)

"To be (instructed) or not to be (instructed)" is that really a question? Hamlet pondered a more serious subject with that great, dramatic line but students address this issue all the time when asked "which afterschool program would you like to take this semester?" Whether it's an afterschool, lunch club, or camp, students usually choose the one that they feel will be the most fun, not the most instructional.

Most chess camp and afterschool chess programs suffer from their own ambition, to instruct players and help them improve, or let them just play and be happy?! The general cut-off for instruction vs. playing time is around 30-40% but when the lessons get too long, enrollment drops. Then again, if there is no demo (demonstration instruction) time, the students get bored and have no sense of progress and move on to other things.

It's a tough delimma but most of the dedicated and academically minded students and parents know what is best ... the rest will pay more attention to whether they can bring their DS or Nintendo.
-John MacArthur

Make Time for Competition!

Recently a parent commented about a concern that their child was too(!) competitive. I took this with a smile, reflecting on how so many parents look out for their children in both aggressive and non-aggressive fashions. Competitive characteristics are shared most commonly by the most successful people in the world. Incentives for success are so appealling and luxurious that the opportunities our children have today to hone their "type A" personality or winning skills are plenty.
Unfortunately most parents look only to sports programs for developing 'winning' skills. Of course sport requires physical coordination and often team work - so it must not be overlooked. I'm happy to hear more often today about math olympiads and music program concerts and other cultural/academic outlets in addition to chess. Each of these contributes so much more to the mindful success of a well rounded student.
Competitions, and events such as music concerts that culminate in a test of one's development, prowess in handling stress in the preparation for such an event, and the opportunities to prove oneself are priceless and unfortunately far too few.

'Have you no ambition, Master Po?'
'Only one. Five years hence, it is my wish to make a pilgrimage to the Forbidden City. It is a place where even priests receive no special status. There in the Temple of Heaven, will be a festival The full moon of May. It will be the thirteenth day of the fifth month in the Year of the Dog.'
'That is not such a great ambition.'
'But it is ambition, nonetheless. Who among us is without flaw?'" -Master Po

Setting aside time in our calendar for competition or such an event on a regular basis defines our everyday focus and study.
-John MacArthur

Chess surfers need to know how to catch a wave!!

Since attending a National K-12 or Scholastic event at least once a year since 1989, my motivational stories have grown in metaphoric range. This year at the US Open, I'm once again reminded - as I watch so many player slipping and sliding result-wise - of my favorite surfer analogy.
Throughout a tournament, players try to establish respect for themselves by 'standing up' to their opposition, not unlike a surfer popping up on his board under adverse conditions... The best players in an event remain steady - untoppled, dominant, and certain to take away not only respect but perhaps even a check for their tournament expenses and perhaps even the rent!
Other players on the other hand have a hard time even getting into the water, getting knocked down by forces of strength beyond comprehension. Those lucky enough to pop up and ride a wave may find it lasting for only one round.
Success in a chess tournament requires tremendous stamina and perserverance. This doesn't come without practice and many, many unsuccessful outings. If your attention falters for even a moment, you'll be toppled.
A good chess player needs character, discipline, and good nerves in order to triumph. These are not developed in isolation.
-John MacArthur