Re : I have a meeting of the Chess'n Math Association (CMA) executive on Feb 13
With all due respect, Larry, the first thing that needs to be done is a total revamp of the CMA course material. Not teaching a simple mate with a Q/K vs lone K until Queen level is quasi 'criminal', imho. I teach that at Pawn level and have yet to meet a child who couldn't grasp the concept at that level.
It does make me cringe, tournament after tournament, to see at least 50% of those endings end in stalemates. One of the TDs I work with will frequently say to me, "bet you a dollar it ends in a stalemate".
At the first OCC Qualifier last Sunday, one grade 5 girl got 2 stalemates in a row, the first game playing down a Queen and the next game 2 Queens! And the tournament before that one boy couldn't mate a lone King with 3 Queens (since he treated 2 of the Queens as mere Pawns) and we eventually had to impose a 50-move draw.
Adding insult to injury, the only mate taught in the early lessons, at Bishop level to be precise, is Scholar's Mate. Although I have to teach this 'bad chess' to my Bishop students since the Bishop exam has a couple of questions on the subject, I always joke with my students that I'm sending them back to Pawn level if I ever see them play it.
In all sincerity, if the CMA truly wishes to develop better chess players, then they should provide better course material.
With all due respect, Larry, the first thing that needs to be done is a total revamp of the CMA course material. Not teaching a simple mate with a Q/K vs lone K until Queen level is quasi 'criminal', imho. I teach that at Pawn level and have yet to meet a child who couldn't grasp the concept at that level.
It does make me cringe, tournament after tournament, to see at least 50% of those endings end in stalemates. One of the TDs I work with will frequently say to me, "bet you a dollar it ends in a stalemate".
At the first OCC Qualifier last Sunday, one grade 5 girl got 2 stalemates in a row, the first game playing down a Queen and the next game 2 Queens! And the tournament before that one boy couldn't mate a lone King with 3 Queens (since he treated 2 of the Queens as mere Pawns) and we eventually had to impose a 50-move draw.
Adding insult to injury, the only mate taught in the early lessons, at Bishop level to be precise, is Scholar's Mate. Although I have to teach this 'bad chess' to my Bishop students since the Bishop exam has a couple of questions on the subject, I always joke with my students that I'm sending them back to Pawn level if I ever see them play it.
In all sincerity, if the CMA truly wishes to develop better chess players, then they should provide better course material.
Comment