Kentucky Chess Association

                

                         USCF Affiliate

Crank and Boom Ice Cream proudly presents it's first monthly "Community Chess Boom for Kids" in the vault upstairs at the Manchester Road location Wednesday night, July 12th from 6:30 until 8:00 pm.   I will be there to give lessons to beginners, we will set up some puzzles for scholastic tournament players to do, and have boards available for all kids to play.  All skill levels are welcome and the event is completely free.  Partaking in some of the world's finest ice cream is of course encouraged, but not required.  We are going to give this a try, and if we can get enough of a community response...we are going to try and get on the schedule to do this every second Wednesday of the month.  

In what can only be described as the largest gathering of chess playing kids in the history of Kentucky Chess to be held on a historic distillery property in the summer, the Crank and Boom Community Chess Boom was a tremendously successful event.  Over 60 kids from a wide range of schools were present.  Thank you so much in particular to representives from Northern Elementary, Cassidy Elementary, and Ashland Elemen in Lexington, and Bourbon Central Elementary in Paris and Peak's Mill Elementary from Frankfort for showing interest.  The next Community Chess Boom will take place Wednesday, August 9th at Crank and Boom Ice Cream.  We are going to be doing it every second Wednesday of the month and will have a variety of gift cards available to win in drawings for players that complete puzzles, notate games, or are brand new to chess.  Thanks again to everyone who came out!  

Crank and Boom Ice Cream will host its second community chess event Wednesday, August 9th from 6:30 until 8:00!  I hope to see everyone there.  

Our thrid Community Chess Boom will be held at Crank and Boom Ice Cream Lounge on Manchester Street in Lexington Wednesday, September 13th from 6:30 to 8:00!  Write it down!  Notation will be the theme Wednesday night and 6 "free scoops" coupons will be awarded to kids who successfully notate a game!  I hope to see everyone there.  Entry forms for upcoming tournaments and information about USCF memberships will also be available tomorrow night.  

I apologize for the short notice...but our 4th Community Chess Boom at Crank and Boom Ice Cream has been postponed until Wednesday, October 18th from 6:30 until 8:00!  Again...no community chess night tonight.  

Amazing 2019 Roger Sidney Memorial

In what could only be described as one of the most memorable Roger Sidney Memorial tournaments in a long time...99 players came together to celbrate scholastic chess in Lexington. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Coach "Hendi" Seelbach coming out of retirement to restart the chess program at Cassidy. Coach Seelbach coached with Roger Sidney at Glendover in the 80's and along with Larry Bell help establish scholastic chess in Lexington. It is wonderful to have her back coaching her grandson.

 

Also...a huge thank you to Jeffersonville High School for making the trip down to play. They raised the level of play tremendously of the K8-K12 section and displayed incredible kindness, character, and and chess enthusiasm mixing it up with Lexington's middle school crew. We hope to see you all again in December.

 

Lastly, thank you to Larry Bell for helping hold down the floor and help out with the computer and also a huge thank you to Master Mark Wagner...who did game analysis all day for the kids helping out a ton of kids with notated games. You all made it a great learning experience for all the of the kids who played Saturday.

Congratulations to Evan Sammons (formerly of Beaumont Middle School) for achieving the rank of National Master and hitting the 2200 mark!  So proud of you Evan...you have worked so hard on this incredible journey.  From beating up on your coach before school in the Beaumont library to being perfect at state team and anchoring a state team championship...all the way to National Master it has been an incredible journey and a testament to your hard work and dedication to the game.  Keep working hard!  Congrats Evan!