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. 

Chess Workshop Thursday

This Thursday, September 22,  I will give
a chess workshop at my house. The cost:
only $5 ( a one time low price).  A new
chess season is about to begin....
Is your chess game ready for battle?
call or text 561-1034 Ray Martinez