Spring Break Chess Workshops

Spring Break Chess Workshops

March 13 & 15

Tuesday and Thursday

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

12 hours of pure chess

Only $75

Brownsville Royal Knights

1304 Crestview Drive

(956) 561-1034

broyalknights@rgv.rr.com

Ray Martinez

chess coach – trainer in the art of thinking

Jonathan G. Cortes Wins 1st Place

It was November 11, 2011, and I was driving to Stripes
that beautiful Saturday morning for some of their awesome
tacos.  I had a feeling it was going to be awesome day
with great results for my chess students. One of them:
Jonathan G. Cortes who is new to the Royal Game would
participate in the Rancho Verde Chess Tournament. He had
competed in three others ( Garcia MS, Porter HS and
Paredes Elementary ) with good results. He is on his way to
becoming a true chess tournament player: he notates every
game, uses a chess clock, and study his chess notes.
I am very proud of him and believe he will become a very
strong chess player. One of his goals is to reach a 900 rating
this year and 1200 - 1300 rating next year. Another one
is to become a movie director. Jonathan is an eleven year
old 4th grader at Elgy Elementary. As his chess coach,
I can only say, " go for it Jonathan, you are a Champion.
Set your goals and dreams high.  Yes! you can achieve
any goal you set your mind to do". Bravo Jonathan!!!
Bravo for winning 1st place in the Under 400 section.

Paredes Chess Tournament

The Royal Knights arrived at Americo Paredes Elementary
on Saturday, November 5, 2011, to battle for checkmates.
This morning would bring 761 chess players in hopes of
winning a trophy. The pairings were all set thanks to James
Houghtaling and Remy Ferrari of Paperclip Pairings.
However, this tournament was not  as strong as the past
three: Garcia MS, Oliveira MS, and Porter HS.

Some parents complained that  it was unfair for their Primary K-3 or Elementary K-5 children to complete

against older students, although all students were in the
same level of skill. The parents that complained do not
understand CHESS and the Person that make this new
change does not know that this change HURTS the chess
players that are going to complete in the State and
National Events. Our players complete against very strong
and well prepared chess players from all over the United
States. Our players must prepare by playing against stronger
players or players of the same strength
( rating not age or grade ) . I have the solution.
I know that the K-12 under 400 section is a must section
because the weakest chess players play in this section
and they have a CHANCE to win a trophy or medal. This
chess players are new to the game and NEED to be
SUCCESSFUL in order for us to  build them up...
otherwise they might stop Chess. Our older chess players
( 4 - 12 graders ),  must play against higher rated players
every single round thereby making  it is hard and in most
cases impossible to win 2 points . K-5 under 1000 and
K-12 under 1000 sections  why? In this sections there was
maybe one or two good matches and not for every player...
too many weak players in this sections. The weak players
must play in the K-12 Under 400. One section only
K-12 Under 1000 is best. There was one section that did
what it needed to do: K-12 Under 1300 .  Now, for the
"OPEN", let me say that this section should be renamed
the "1400 and ABOVE"  and please do not use the
word "OPEN" as then everyone can play in this section.
This section should be reserve for the strongest
chess players only. At this tournament there was
42 of 64 players under 1400,
some of the top boards complained that there is no
completion. Our "top boards" need to complete against
strong players every single round not only 1 or maybe 2.
 New York is always playing against stronger
chess players and that is why they are ready and also so
strong. We need this change! In order to better prepare
our chess players they must play in strong chess
tournaments. I suggest the following  6  Sections:
KINDER ONLY division  no 1st graders,
K-12 under 500 (beginners),  K-12 (501 - 900),
K-12 (901 - 1199),  K-12 (1200 - 1499)  and for the
strongest players: "RESERVE 1500 and ABOVE" section
which would  allow adults and college students but only
those who have ratings of 1500 and above... I know this
will better prepare our chess players.  Let's think of our
chess players and what is best for them. The Chess Players
that go to State and National events need your help. This 
game is about skill not age or grade and always will be.

Porter Chess Tournament

As I was driving down  the Expressway and taking the
International Blvd. exit,  I received a call on my cell.
It was Bradley McCaleb asking where I was going
to be at. I answered,  "at the cafeteria. but first, I
would stop for some morning tacos...and other goodies."
After the stop at Stripes, I continued to Porter High
School for their annual Chess Tournament. Once there
I walked to pay the entry fee for one of my chess students.
Mrs. Vasquez was taking care of business and Patty was
at the table taking the entry fee money. Today the first
round was running on time. Chess players were going
in all different directions trying to get to the different
places where the chess matches would be played.
I when to the cafeteria but it was super cold, so I set
up outside by the Porter Corral. It was awesome.
Little Jonathan came by and then Bradley followed
by Zachary Sunderland. I played a game with Vela'
powerhouse Brianna Guillen. After some interesting
moves, the bell rang for the second round. The wins
would continue to come in. That marked a new beginning
for some of my chess players.  Jonathan Cortes would
win 4 points in the K-12 U400 section as well as
Dante Gracia. in the K-12 U1300 section Stillman's
Dominic Beltran would win 2nd place with 4.5 points
and reach a 1300 rating....while Donna's Idea College
Zachary Sunderland would win 4 points. In the
K-12 U1000 section Stillman's Daniel A. Vital would
take it all winning every round ( 5 points) and taking
home the first place TROPHY. Bradley McCaleb won
4 points. In the OPEN section Porter's Team Captian
Oziel Juarez won 3rd place and his team took the
first place team TROPHY. All Royal Knights earn
higher ratings. There was about 633 chess players
battling for the TROPHY that Saturday October 15, 2011.
But only, those who do the work and study WIN.

Oziel Juarez wins 1st Place

It was a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning, as I
drove to Oliveira Middle School, with a must stop
at  "Stripes" for some awesome TACOS.  As I drove
by the school looking for a parking space, I noticed
Oziel Juarez walking in all determined to WIN
every round. I parked and walk in and started to work
with one of my new and promising chess students:
Jonathan Cortes who would play his first chess
tournament. While at the cafeteria, some other
students stopped by for last minute pointers and
advice. Round one started and then after some time
Little Jonathan runs in with his first win. It was an
awesome feeling, seeing him enjoy his victory.
Then walks in Ozzy, winning his game (Silician).
Dante Gracia and his little sister Omega both won
the first round as well as Melissa Medina. As the
day passed by,there was lots of wins in the Royal Knight
camp. As I when over games with Oziel, Jonathan,
Melissa, Zachary, and others... I told them one thing:
"look at the squares around the King and victory will
be yours.  Use your weapons (tactics) and develop a
strong and powerful attack ( 3 or more pieces attacking
the opponent's King) and please look and protect your
king ."For lunch I had some Church's Fried Chicken
thanks to Mrs. Yesenia Martinez. The rounds continue
and the end came to a close.  Porter Chess Team had
taken the 1st place team TROPHY and Porter's
Captain Oziel Juarez took the 1st place TROPHY
( he won every game). 

BISD 1st Tournament by RATINGS

It was 8:30 as we walked in the Main door of
Dr. Juliet V. Garcia Middle School. We were
greeted by the Gator cheerleaders, one of them
step up to show us the map of the building and pointed
us in the right direction, Oziel Juarez and I were
going to the Porter Room....Porter would win the
OPEN that day. This Saturday, September 24, 2011
BISD Chess held its first Tournament by Ratings.
This was done so that on every round chess players
were play against stronger opponents. 
Of course all divisions  were playing in the same
level. However, in chess only rating matters, not size,
not age, only skill. Round one was about to get started.
Chief TD Victor Flores and his staff did a great job.
As the rounds were finished I noticed that this idea
was the right one to help our players become stronger.
Before players were winning against weaker players,
but on this day, there were some UPSETS. It seem some
players could not handle the competition. Royal Knights
as usual always come out on top and this tournament was
not be the exception. Their Rating jumped up and trophies
were won. Ozeil Juarez, Porter HS  2nd place Open
Dominic Beltran and Melissa Medina both from Stillman
MS took the 4th place K-12 U1300 team trophy...Dominic
won 1st place while Melissa took 10th and both earned
higher ratings.  In the K-12 U1000  section Rodolfo
Velasquez, Besteiro MS - 3rd place....Bradley McCaleb
from Weslaco took home the 5th place trophy, 
while Zachary P Sunderland from Idea College Preparatory
took 6th. All three reach new higher rating as well.
Lucio's MS Xavier Torres took 9th  with 3.5 points and also
increase his rating.  Good Job Royal Knights!!!
There were 342 chess players all looking for checkmate...
some won, some lost, and some created draws...
Royal Knights are WINNERS and LEADERS.

Chess @ Alejandra's Restaurant

It was 8:28 a.m. and the text when out:
"Chess @ Alejandra's"  this morning?
Luis Matus and Eliud Ramirez returned
the text....and we are meeting at 10:15a.m.
They have great food --> so I will probably
have MOLE for lunch (my favorite).
       so 1. e4!   your move.