Welcome to the Web Site for the Gavilan Peak Chess Club and Team. This is a volunteer organization that is committed to improving students' critical thinking abilities, sportsmanship, and self esteem through playing chess.

Registration for chess has commenced. The Chess Club will continue to meet on Thursday afternoons, starting on February 2^nd. Please choose the appropriate Microsoft Word document to register (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Chess Emporium Partnership

We are excited by a new development this semester. Many students’ chess ability have grown to such a level that they deserve professional level coaching. So we invited Chess Emporium to establish a complimentary chess program at Gavilan Peak. As many of you know, we have been attending Chess Emporium tournaments throughout our four years of existence as a club. We are pleased that we will have a professional coach on Tuesday mornings (7:35 to 8:35) at Gavilan Peak.

Students have the following options:

a)      Chess Club, $45 per semester, Thursday Afternoons, Included Trophies

b)      Chess Emporium Pro Coach, Tuesday Mornings, $99

c)      Chess Club and Chess Emporium Combo $99

Pure beginners in grades K-2 should do option (a). Other players should consider (a), (b), or (c). Some players who are busy with other pursuits and only have time for chess once a week should strongly consider option (b) for professional coaching.

            For students that can fit it into their schedule, option (c) is recommended.

Students in the chess team are required to do option (c). It is highly recommended that students in the intermediate group also choose option (c). Advanced beginners in grades three or above would also benefit from option (c).

            Register for the professional coaching sessions of the Chess Emporium by going to www.chessemporium.com and clicking on the SEP (Scholastic Enrichment Program) button to the left, then selecting Deer Valley District, and then selecting Gavilan Peak School.

Tournaments

This semester’s recommended tournaments are The Rumble (2/11/06) at Explorer Middle School (22401 N. 40^th Street, Phoenix) and the Knight’s Joust (4/22/06) at Madison Meadows School (225 West Ocotillo, Phoenix). You can register for these at www.chessemporium.com. Remember we give all first time external tournament participants from the Gavilan Peak Chess Club a trophy and the tournaments are a fun learning experience. All students in groups higher than beginner should consider participating.

Download Registration Forms

Beginner 1  This group is for grades K-2 students who are new to the game of chess

Beginner 2 This group is for grades K-2 students who are still mastering the basics of the game of chess

Advanced Beginner This group is for grades K-4 students who are looking to improve their game. Students should be able to demonstrate how to achieve checkmate with a queen, rook, and king against a king and castling.

Intermediate This group is for grades 1-8 students who have a strong knowledge of chess. Students in this group should know (a) all the basics, (b) en passant, (c) basic opening theory, (d) how to achieve checkmate with only a rook and a king against a king, and (e) be able to demonstrate fundamentally sound openings. Intermediate students are highly encouraged to also register through the Chess Emporium.

Chess Team  This group is for grades 2-8 students who have a strong knowledge of chess. Students in this group should know (a) all the basics, (b) en passant, (c) basic opening theory, (d) how to achieve checkmate with only a rook and a king against a king, and (e) be able to demonstrate at least two recognized openings such as the Fried Liver, Ruy Lopez, or Giuoco Piano. Students will be expected to be serious about improving their chess play.  Students on the team must register through the Chess Emporium.

Mr. Cunningham and Wil Rillero play first game on outdoor chess table bought with club dues.

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Last modified: 01/09/09