Welcome to the final report of the 2024 ICA Summer Camp! I thank all our students and coaches who participated in our camp, whether it was for one week, or all ten. Throughout the summer, our campers participated in chess lessons, sports competitions, and various tournaments.
I believe this week of camp is the most unique out of all, and not only because it was the last. In this report, you will first see our Glen Rock camp from the perspective of a cancer survivor, who we were honored to have as a volunteer for the week. You will then read about the highlights of the week from our Junior Coaches, Remy, Jonathan, and Adam. Finally, I will recount my evening adventures with the overnight GM Campers, when a special guest joined us for a great battle!
This Thursday I awoke with my son Jude's beautiful siamese on my chest purring and being very affectionate. I barely pet her to get so much love and attention. I couldn't help but think of all the kids at camp and how I love all of their personalities and smiles, but how I really have to earn their kindness. It's very fulfilling when one of them comes to me with an account of their latest conquest in chess or some sweet anecdote about their pets or sibling(s).
Before I started out this week I didn't quite know what to expect in chess camp. I envisioned the students quietly sitting in neat formations and playing chess or doing math in such a fashion it would seem like a well orchestrated concert; akin to videos I've seen of Japanese children sitting quietly while diligently working on math problems. Hmm, I wonder what's in their water?
Now, while the coaches and teachers at chess camp are brilliant and masterful conductors; their musicians are more like a middle school band. Some students are better than others, but they are not harmonious or professional yet.
In many ways chess is an art like music and a science. I've witnessed the coaches and teachers hone in on growth mindset (neuroplasticity) through critical thinking puzzles, math, the ability to plan strategically, impulse control, analyzing losses as an opportunity for growth and strength, nurturing motivation and trying to bring levity and interest as well. Many times accomplishing all of this is a mighty feat as some students provide a lot of resistance through childish antics like asking many rhetorical questions or being wildly playful.
I'm sure you've both read and heard many analogies about chess; and I'm about to contribute to this. I recently felt like a doomed pawn making its way to the dark side with certain defeat in sight and most likely imminent. I had breast cancer and lost my entire left beast. The chances of it having spread were probable. I knew there was nothing I could really do except fight this battle on my knees and have faith in God and Jesus.
I had my mastectomy and when they checked my lymph nodes to see if it had spread, it had not. My oncologist told me it was astronomical to not have spread despite having so much of it.
I feel I made it as a weakly doomed pawn to the other end and emerged a queen. Praise God. I've had some chemo as well and am still healing from it all. Recently I decided to start learning chess both to play Jude and help my mind heal.
I feel this has helped me as I've been here volunteering as a coach. When I play the students they like their odds as it's definitely a lopsided game; to their advantage. I enjoy it as I learn more strategies and find it very fun.
Since I've been here this week I've tried to be helpful, watchful and caring whilst trying not to impede on the normal ebb and flow of the camp's activities. I'm so grateful to have been given this opportunity and I love all the joy it's brought into my life. I cherish each moment, even ones that aren't the most positive; as it is all part of this beautiful life. I'm happy to experience it, every smile, joyful play, thoughtful silences, screaming and even the fighting. It's all part of being around such beautiful children that are learning as they navigate their way through their childhood.
I'm so grateful for each coach, teacher and staff member to welcome me. I have enjoyed every second thank you!
Max secured second place in dodgeball using clever, sneaky tactics that caught his opponents off guard. He often dodged throws at the last second and took advantage of distractions to tag out key players. Meanwhile, the twins, Kian and Rayan, tied for first place by combining their powerful fastballs with impeccable aim, making them nearly impossible to beat. In the much-anticipated Coaches vs. Campers match, the campers decisively took control. Despite their experience, the coaches were obliterated as the campers coordinated their attacks with precision. Max, Kian, and Rayan were instrumental in leading the charge, ensuring a sweet victory almost every day for the campers.
In this week’s highest rated section, there were 6 determined players battling for the first place title. Each match was very exciting to watch. As the week was coming to an end, there were 4 players with 2.5 points each! There was indeed a four-way tie between Jack, Kian, Rayan, and Manas. What an exciting turnout of events to end the summer!
As the final week of chess camp came to an end, two notable campers, Emma and Zakharii, were congratulated for coming to camp for the entire summer! They are truly the camp veterans of this year's 10 week summer camp!
Although this is the final week of summer camp, this Wednesday was the first time that I was able to spend the evening with the overnight GM kids. To set the context, our Grandmaster (GM) camp, designed for players rated at or above 1600, has an option where campers stay overnight for the week. This option exists so that players from all over could attend our camps and learn from our GM instructors. As opposed to previous weeks, where GM Alexander Stripunsky ran the classes, GM Elshan Moradiabadi took over this week’s lessons.
After the second session of lessons finished at 5pm, I returned to ICA, where I picked up our two overnight campers: Mark Kogan and Chris DeDona. We went to our first, and only, planned activity: a pickleball lesson in Fair Lawn.
This was my first official pickleball lesson, and my second time ever playing (with the first time being a corporate event in San Antonio, TX!). I quickly found out that Mark is a much more experienced player. Throughout the lesson, Mark was asked to demonstrate the different types of hits, and did so in style. It was clear from his body language just how experienced and comfortable he was. His swagger made it an enjoyable experience for all of us involved.
We then played a match: Aiden Kennedy (who was invited to the class to make up the numbers) and Mark against Chris and myself. Unfortunately, the only thing I can report on is the antics of the opposing team. Mark and Aiden used their 10 second serve limit to juggle the ball, bounce it on their rackets, and, finally, hit it in a way that neither Chris nor myself could respond! Final score: 11-1.
But I knew we could do better. And so, I demanded a rematch. Unfortunately, the antics did not work as well, and we could not finish the match as our time expired. With a few calls going our way, Chris and I rallied from 8-1 down to a more respectable score. Final score: 8-6.
We then drove back to ICA Glen Rock, where our Turvinos food was waiting at the doorstep. Aiden was picked up, and the three of us went inside to eat. Notably, Mark and Aiden ordered a pizza pie for themselves. Aiden had to leave early, leaving Mark with an entire pizza pie. However, he was only able to finish one slice; what a waste!
After some quick deliberation, I called my friend, Goktug Bas, and we drove to the Glen Rock High School (GRHS) football (soccer) pitch. Although Chris originally enjoyed playing football, I quickly found out that he did not learn the game in the right way. And so, through a 2 on 2 match, me and Chris against Goktug and Mark, Chris immediately scored two goals. All of a sudden, he is a footballer!
We stayed at the field until 8:30, and were all ready to go back to the hotel (or back home, in Goktug’s case). But all of a sudden, Mark and Goktug were determined to play each other in a series of blitz matches, as each thought they were better than the other. And so we went back to ICA for a third time.
While Goktug played Mark, I played against Chris. And the difference in tone between the two matches was like night and day. While Chris and I would not stop laughing, the tension was palpable between the higher rated players. Mark won the first and third while Goktug won the second. It all came down to the fourth match, where all Mark needed was a draw to win the series.
If truth be told, there were no interesting moments in the match - aside from move 22, where Goktug as black played … Ne7?? Mark as white could have won with 23. Rc7!! which creates a fork and pins both rooks to the back rank. If the rook on c8 were to capture the rook on c7, Mark would win with 24. Rxd8#.
Unfortunately, there was no clear winner, as, in serious time pressure, both players made several illegal moves to render the position unplayable. I called the match a draw, leaving Mark as the winner of the series!
After a long day, I was finally able to take everyone back: Goktug to his house, and the GM kids to their hotel. This concludes what was a “typical untypical” adventure of an overnight GM Camper. Each day, they participate in different activities and travel to different local places. If you need more motivation to reach 1600 and join the camp, here it is!
Class report by GM Elshan Moradiabadi to be featured on a different report
Thank you so much to everyone who attended and worked at the camp! With 7 weeks of GM Camp and record attendances, Summer 2024 is one for the history books! But for those who want to continue studying chess, you do not have to wait until next summer; Fall Semester Class Registration is now open! And, of course, we have tournaments every weekend!
And for our more experienced players, we have Future Master (1200+) and Master (1600+) classes with our GM instructors: Irina Levitina, Alexander Stripunsky, and, of course, Elshan Moradiabadi. Click HERE for more information.
We hope to see you at our future classes, tournaments, and camps!
A New Perspective
Tales from our Junior Coaches
Ultimate Tie for First?
Chess Camp Veterans?
GM Camp Shenanigans with Alan and Goktug
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