Date:	   Sun, 20 Apr 2008 
Subject: fpawn chess news update, including CalChess Scholastics

Hello students, parents and friends,

This email contains some important news about upcoming tournaments.  Please read on.  If you are
wondering why I don't send out emails more frequently, perhaps you should check out my CHESS BLOG
http://fpawn.blogspot.com a couple of times each week.  I update my blog at least every other day,
thus replacing my monthly newsletter.

1. CalChess Scholastics

The biggest event of the year is the annual CalChess Scholastic Championships on May 17-18 at the
San Jose Convention Center.  I hope to see ALL of my California students at this tournament.  This
is the Big One.  Here are some of the important points for you to know at this time:

* Over 400 players are signed up so far, including about half of my students.
* If you haven't signed up, please do so http://www.calchessscholastics.org/register.php
* I reserved a small TEAM ROOM in the hotel across from the second floor skywalk.
* I will REVIEW GAMES in my team room and hope to have an distinguished master to help out.
* My voluntary but suggested COACHING FEE for states is equal to price of one regular lesson.
* I am the TD for the blitz (Friday night) and bughouse (Saturday night) side events.
* I will help out on the tournament floor as needed throughout the weekend.

2. Local Chess Players on TV (check my blog for more info)

Youngest master NICHOLAS NIP will host a simultaneous exhibition on "Live with Regis and Kelly" on
Monday morning at 9:00 on KGO channel 7 in Bay Area and KCRA channel 3 in Sacramento.
http://fpawn.blogspot.com/2008/04/nicholas-nip-to-appear-on-national-tv.html

World U12 Champion DANIEL NARODITSKY has been selected to throw out the first pitch before the
Oakland A's game on Wednesday evening at 7:00 against the Minnesota Twins.
http://fpawn.blogspot.com/2008/04/oakland-as-draft-fm-naroditsky.html

3. Memorial Day Weekend

The weekend after the CalChess Scholastics is Memorial Day.  I know many of you will want a break
from chess, either because you are tired from the states or because you have homework and final
exams in school.  On the other hand, this weekend is also a great opportunity to play SLOW CHESS. 
Salman Azhar is hosting a 3-day adult tournament in Santa Clara, with a 2-day schedule on Sunday
and Monday only.  For more information: http://www.bayareachess.com/events/memo.php

However, I will not be in Santa Clara that weekend.  I am looking for stronger competition and
will fly to Chicago (my dad works there) to play in the U2300 section of the Chicago Open, which
is the second or third largest tournament in America depending on how you count.  Considering that
this is the week after the CalChess Scholastics, it is probably as good of a time as ever for me
to ignore my students and play for myself. 

4. Upcoming Tournament Calendar

Mechanics' Institute monthly G/45 series 
April 26 and May 10 in San Francisco
http://www.chessclub.org/Calendar.html

Bay Area Chess for Adults 
April 26 in Santa Clara
http://www.bayareachess.com/register.php

33rd CalChess State Scholastic Championships  (highly recommended, fpawn will coach)
May 17-18 in San Jose
http://www.calchessscholastics.org

Chicago Open  (fpawn will play)
May 23-26 in Chicago
http://www.chesstour.com/chio08.htm

Bay Area Chess Memorial Day
May 24-26 in Santa Clara
http://www.bayareachess.com/events/memo.php

National Open  (fpawn is likely to play)
June 6-8 in Las Vegas
http://www.vegaschessfestival.com/natlopen/

44th Stamer Memorial  (fpawn is likely to play)
June 14-15 in San Francisco
http://www.chessclub.org/Stamer.html

Sacramento Chess Championship  (highly recommended, fpawn will play)
July 4-6 in Sacramento 
http://sacramentochessclub.org/weekend_events/2008scc.pdf

Supernationals IV
April 3-5, 2009 in Nashville
All three scholastic nationals under one roof.  5000+ players!  Possibly the biggest tournament
ever in America.  I know it is still early, but mark your calendar now to save those dates.  I
will be there, will you?

5. Recent Stories on Fpawn Chess Blog

* Saturday Recap: WCL Qualifier and HS Nationals
* National High School Championship in Atlanta
* Nicholas Nip to Appear on National TV on Monday
* Preparing for a Big Tournament
* Cool New ICC Command: Pstat
* Watch Online Qualifier this Weekend!
* Video from HHCF Event in Menlo Park
* Vinay Bhat Advances to Online Qualifier Semifinals...
* Fpawn Rating List - Best Gain in First Quarter of ...
* April Top 100 Lists
* Results From Junior High Nationals
* Big Showdown Tomorrow in Dallas!
* Zierk Is 2-0 at Junior High Nationals
* Oakland A's Draft FM Naroditsky!
* Final Impressions of US Championship Qualifier
* CalChess FIDE Rated Juniors
* CalChess FIDE Top 20

I hope to see all of you at one or more tournament in the next two months.  Don't forget to check
out my CHESS BLOG http://fpawn.blogspot.com for the latest news and gossip.  Good luck to all
chess players and may your pawns promote.

Michael