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Pleasant View Week 5

Another day at Pleasant View full of new and returning faces. Lots of good games, and definitely a huge improvement in puzzle solving! The kids were so fast (even for the advanced puzzles) and kept asking for more. It's great to see such enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the organizers have not yet been able to secure a space for future weeks. This may result in a less frequent program at PV. Check the website http://www.chessinthelibrary.com/ for future notices.

As for me, I'll be heading off soon, so I leave my best wishes with the players and organizers. It's been a great month working with all of you, and I hope to see everyone again sometime down the road. Keep supporting Canadian chess!

Hazel's Library Jokes

Today, my mind is set in library mode, because well...that's all I have planned for now. Check back for library updates, and enjoy these jokes!

What do chess pieces like to do in a library?
Read "rooks"!

How is Chess in the Library similar to a restaurant?

Both have plenty of forks!

Top Ten

Top 10 reasons to visit the library tomorrow
1. Play chess
2. Promote the game
3. Support community programs
4. Support juniors
5. Solve chess puzzles
6. Chess sets are provided
7. Become a volunteer/organizer
8. Get cool prizes --> see http://www.chessinthelibrary.com/events.html
9. Nothing better to do on a Saturday morning... :)
10. May be my last time at PV before leaving for university :(

Tomorrow --> Saturday Aug. 28 --> 10 am to noon

Fun Chess Variant

Looking for a change? I thought up some fun chess variants for you to try today!

1) Triple Queens: The rooks are flipped over to become queens at the start of the game.

2) Confusion: For a confusing game....bullet/blitz game where rooks act like queens, and queens act like rooks, bishops act like knights and knights act like bishops....trust me, it's not as easy to break out of habits as you think, especially when pressed for time.

3) Special Capture: Captures are only allowed if you have at least two pieces attacking.

4) Restriction: Whatever TYPE of piece you last moved (P, N, B, R, Q, K) can't move on your next turn. Example: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 would not be allowed, because white moved a knight on both move 2 and 3. However, 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 would be allowed).

5) What, NO castling???????: No castling allowed. Extension of the game could also include no en passant, no promotion, ...

More chess variants can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_variant

Book Recommendation

Attacking Chess: Aggressive Strategies and Inside Moves from the U.S. Junior Chess Champion
by: Josh Waitzkin
When I first ordered this book, I was more attracted to the title than anything else. However, when I started reading, it was unlike any chess book I've read before. Simple, clear diagrams....detailed insight into key moves...and super easy to follow! I didn't even need to set up a board to follow along. Contains a variety of chess themes, and a look into the life of a chess champion. Great for all ages.

For $14, you can't go wrong! Order/reviews:
http://www.amazon.ca/Attacking-Chess-Aggressive-Strategies-Champion/dp/0684802503/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251387955&sr=8-5

Chess in the Library Website is Up!

The beautiful Chess in the Library website is up and running. Please take a look:
http://www.chessinthelibrary.com/

All credit to Yutong, Yuanling, and the rest of their website team!