The tournament games this week were very interesting to watch,
specifically the games where the two opponents were really good friends.
The first matchup was between twins Kian and Rayan. The brothers have always played in different sections during previous camps and quads, but
this week was an exception. It was very competitive for both brothers to be in the same section. Kian ended up winning the game, but Rayan held up a good fight!
The second friend vs. friend battle was between Gabriel and Lucas. Both players were extremely excited when they found out they would be playing
each other. It is fun to watch how these campers act differently with their friends once they are playing against them in a tournament. The game ended in a draw!
The last friend vs. friend matchup was during the bughouse tournament on
Friday. Last week, Emma and Kate were actually partners. Ironically, this
week they were playing against each other. Emma had found a beautiful
checkmate during bughouse to defeat Kate. But after the bughouse game,
Kate was victorious in her blitz game against Emma. It was really great
watching the dynamic between these two really strong players.
Every day the campers are able to warm up for chess lessons with some
outside activity in the form of the popular game Circle of Doom. Campers
run around the middle of a circle of coaches, dodging the balls being pelted
at them. Last to survive wins! Many campers think of Circle of Doom as one
of their favourite parts of chess camp, and naturally are interested in
strategies that can be used to win the game. Here, Junior Coach Alex
explains his own theories on game strategy during lunchtime (of course
using a chessboard). The heavy pisces are the coaches, the knights are
the campers, and the pawns are balls. Many campers look on including
Alex’s students Anthony, Chris, and Josh.
The last day of chess camp this week was another crazy, yet exciting one.
After lunch, the players all gathered for the bughouse tournament. The
winners this week were Leon and Lucas, both of which had amazing
teamwork while playing under time pressure. Leon and Lucas even scored
a perfect score, not losing any rounds! After the bughouse tournament,
Emma and Kate decided to challenge Coach Choco to more games of
bughouse, but instead of a regular 2v2 bughouse game, it was a simul.
After many rounds of bughouse, Coach Choco finally lost one (three
throughout the week) and gave Emma and Kate the prize he promised
them. This fun challenge continued and there were a couple times where
even the coaches played against each other. Coach Choco and Coach
Vitaly played bughouse games against Coach Alan and Leon. This was
truly a fun way to end off this week of chess.
This week's bughouse tournament winners in the highest sections were
Lucas and Leon. The team had great communication and strategy during
bughouse, and they were very consistent during their blitz games. The duo
ended with a perfect record, winning 5 out of 5 rounds.
Winter came a bit too early! Instead of building a snowman, Hermione,
Zakharii, Leo, Gabriel, Novak, and Tommy all worked together to build a
rock sculpture resembling a snowman. These campers are not only
creative on the chessboard, but they are also creative wherever they go.
Christopher and Serena both did phenomenal in their rated tournament
games this week. Each of their sections were not easy, as they had to play
against many other strong players. They were able to win all of their
games, achieving a perfect score. Chris and Serena have been at camp for
many weeks now, and they have shown significant amounts of progress.
Mischief on the Chessboard: A Whimsical Romp at the Chess Camp Circus By ChatGPT ft. Albert Abzalimov
In chess camp's realm, where minds aspire,
Stella and Quentin, hearts afire,
They beckoned Coach Vitaly nigh,
On swings, they sought to touch the sky.
Amidst chess tactics, thoughts refined,
They laughed, their souls in unison bind,
Time paused its march, a memory sealed,
On swings, a bond in grace revealed.
The playground's canvas, bright with play,
Painted memories, never to decay,
Their chess games now, with newfound flair,
A friendship born, beyond compare.
Beyond the chessboard, camp's embrace,
Elegiac verse, their tale to trace,
In chess and life, a cherished space,
Of joy and bonds, no time erase.
1. Kian vs Rayan
2. Gabriel vs Lucas
3. Kate vs Emma
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