News & Updates
Written by Laura Sherman of YourChessCoach.com
We want our children to have the best advantages in life. We want them to find and select solutions that will benefit them and others for the long term. The chess board is an excellent training field to learn problem solving skills.
Some people wait for others around them to solve their problems. They lack the confidence and courage to implement their ideas, their solutions. As a result they become far too dependent on other people.
On the chess board, you are alone. No one is there, by your side, feeding you answers or solutions to the problems that you face. You either solve the problems put to you, or you lose.
Recently an eight-year student asked me, “Will this position ever come up in another game?” He wanted to know how he could use the lessons learned from one game, in future ones. It was a valid concern, for most likely that exact position would never resurface. So how does one learn and improve?
The answer is that even though that one position will never come up again, you could very well see similar patterns, segments from it again and again. Once you know how to handle these, the game becomes much easier. I began showing this eight-year-old boy common themes that he’d probably seen before and would see again.
He immediately recognized the patterns and became excited. Once I showed him the best responses, he realized that he could beat other players with this knowledge. At that moment he said, “You know if I practice some of these techniques at home, I bet I could win more!”
I have to tell you that this was one of the most exciting moments for me as a chess coach. He was embracing doing chess homework and could see the benefits it would bring.
Ideally your child can go over their games with someone who is more experienced, someone who can help them spot weaknesses and strengths in their play. However, if that is not an option, they will improve simply by playing (as long as they are playing people that challenge them).
Once one knows what works and doesn’t work, one can begin to build from that and solve more difficult problems on the chess board. It gets to a point where you can look at a position and say, “Ah, there are really only three moves to consider here.” Then when you look at the choices more carefully, one move will pop out as the obvious solution. This ability to analyze is priceless.
Ever since I was a child problem solving was fun for me. It was a game that sparked a challenge deep within me, one that I relished. I wish to share that joy with the next generation.
Laura Sherman founded Your Chess Coach (YourChessCoach.com) with her husband, Dan Sherman. Together they teach children to play chess through various schools in Pinellas County, Florida, as well as online. They are currently working with a company in Los Angeles, Real Ability, to create a series of e-courses and books that will teach parents and educators how to teach chess properly to children.
If you would like to ask Laura a question about chess, you can ask the question in the comment space below, leave your email, and Laura will respond directly to you – OR – you can always find YourChessCoach on Twitter.
Want a $25 Wholesale Chess Gift Certificate?
Are you an active Wholesale Chess Member?
If so – you might be one of our Monday Gift Card winners! Every Monday we’ll select 3 active members at random and offer them a $25 gift card – so check back at our site every Monday so you don’t miss out if your name is selected at random from our active members!
You can click here to learn more about the Monday Gift Card Giveaway.
Available September 24, 2009 only as one of our Thursday Chess Deals:
Fritz 12 chess software from ChessBase for only $39.99!
Don’t waste any time – visit our Thursday Chess Deals page and place your pre-order!
All About Thursday Chess Deals
Every Thursday you’ll find two great chess deals at www.WholeasaleChess.com available only for orders placed online on that Thursday from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm PST. The Thursday Chess Deals change from week to week but the savings are always significant – we often sell our chess deals to you at or below our cost! You can sign up for Thursday Chess Deals email notifications or follow us on Twitter or Facebook today!
A Few Things You Should understand about Thursday Chess Deals
Thursday Chess Deals are limited to stock on hand and no rain checks or back orders will be allowed. Customers may choose to purchase one or both of the Thursday Chess Deals but will be limited to a maximum of one of each item per Thursday. Orders containing a Thursday Chess Deal are not eligible for any other promotions, discounts or PriceMatches. Thursday Chess Deals are only available for the item listed. No substitutions of product, color, size, etc., will be allowed.
Ready for these great Thursday Chess Deals? They’re only available on September 17, 2009:
10 Black Perfect-Fit Chess Bags – 80% off MSRP
These 10 black chess bags are sized perfectly to fit one set of our basic, quality, or heavy chess pieces. Throw in some chess pieces and chess boards, and you’ve got some great chess sets!
Chess 101: Everything a New Chess Player Needs to Know – 40% off MSRP
This new chess book is a simple, straight-forward guide to how to play chess. Perfect for beginners.
Click here for some great Thursday Chess Deals!
All About Thursday Chess Deals
Every Thursday you’ll find two great chess deals at www.WholeasaleChess.com available only for orders placed online on that Thursday from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm PST. The Thursday Chess Deals change from week to week but the savings are always significant – we often sell our chess deals to you at or below our cost! You can sign up for Thursday Chess Deals email notifications or follow us on Twitter or Facebook today!
A Few Things You Should understand about Thursday Chess Deals
Thursday Chess Deals are limited to stock on hand and no rain checks or back orders will be allowed. Customers may choose to purchase one or both of the Thursday Chess Deals but will be limited to a maximum of one of each item per Thursday. Orders containing a Thursday Chess Deal are not eligible for any other promotions, discounts or PriceMatches. Thursday Chess Deals are only available for the item listed. No substitutions of product, color, size, etc., will be allowed.
Fritz 12! You’ve been asking about it for over a year now! We’ve received phone calls, live chats, emails, tweets, Facebook posts and more asking when Chessbase is going to put out an upgrade for the best chess software in the world.
Friends, the Fritz 12 Chess Software from Chessbase is ready for pre-ordering. Pre-order now – and watch for your delivery confirmation email around the week of October 12th.
So what makes Fritz 12 better than Fritz 11?
* It’s faster.
* It’s easier to use: the completely redesigned interface gives you instant access to all the most important functions.
* 12 Hours of video lessons for every level of play – receive training from world class grandmasters like Alexei Shirov, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Vladimir Kramnik, Vishy Anand, even chess legend Garry Kasparov.
* 12 months of Premium Membership to Playchess.com.
* New clock and arrows in the board display as well as improved, faster 3D graphics with a new playing room and opponents.
* And much, much more!
More about Fritz 12
* Rated games with a more precise, real-world rating system.
* Dial display for how sharp a position is (hotness) plus a special Mate-O-Meter.
* Improved spy function shows clear refutations and only direct threats.
* Analysis + openings classification revised and improved.
* Calculation training improved.
* Improved engine management: 4 GB memory for 64-Bit UCI engines, CPU display and simple settings for multi engines.
* Evaluation profile optionally as non-linear display (as at the Chess Classic in Mainz).
* New Fritz engine: even stronger!
* New openings book by Alex Kure
* Twelve hours chess tutorial videos with international trainers and world class players
* Updated database of 1.5 million games from 1625 to 2009
Don’t wait in line when demand out-strengthens supply! Pre-order your copy of the Fritz 12 chess software today!
Watch for these two Thursday Chess Deals available only on September 10, 2009:
7″ Wooden Magnetic Travel Chess Set – 75% off MSRP
Beautiful hand-carved wooden chess pieces and a folding magnetic wood chess board – perfect for chess on the go. This is on of our top selling travel chess sets!
Kasparov – How to Play the Najdorf (1-3 Combo) Chess Software – 50% off MSRP
Chess genius Kasparov illuminates the legendary defensive weapon for black – the Najdorf.
Ready to see the Thursday Chess Deal Prices? Click here!
All About Thursday Chess Deals
Every Thursday you’ll find two great chess deals at www.WholeasaleChess.com available only for orders placed online on that Thursday from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm PST. The Thursday Chess Deals change from week to week but the savings are always significant – we often sell our chess deals to you at or below our cost! You can sign up for Thursday Chess Deals email notifications or follow us on Twitter or Facebook today!
A Few Things You Should understand about Thursday Chess Deals
Thursday Chess Deals are limited to stock on hand and no rain checks or back orders will be allowed. Customers may choose to purchase one or both of the Thursday Chess Deals but will be limited to a maximum of one of each item per Thursday. Orders containing a Thursday Chess Deal are not eligible for any other promotions, discounts or PriceMatches. Thursday Chess Deals are only available for the item listed. No substitutions of product, color, size, etc., will be allowed.
They’ve arrived! We’re extremely excited to announce that Wholesale Chess now carries select chess shirts from the popular Endgame Clothing brand!
The great thing about these chess shirts is that you can feel comfortable wearing them out in public! There’s no need to hide in a corner, or save it for yardwork like some other chess t-shirts you can buy out there. . . you can wear these chess t-shirts with pride.
You can now find 4 different Endgame Clothing chess shirts at www.WholesaleChess.com. In the following weeks we will be adding a few additional chess shirts that will sell at a lower price that will fit perfectly for chess clubs and youth programs on a budget.
Click here to see the Chess Shirts!
Watch for these two Thursday Chess Deals available only on September 3, 2009:
2 Sets of Executive Staunton Chess Pieces 80% off at only $9.98
Triple weight, extra queens, and a missing piece guarantee all at 80% off MSRP – doesn’t get any better! Add chess bags and chess boards to these chess pieces and you’ve got two great chess sets!
10 ‘Checkmate’ Chess Wristbands – 75% off at only $9.90
These reversible quality rubber chess wristbands are perfect as gifts and prizes for young players!
All About Thursday Chess Deals
Every Thursday you’ll find two great chess deals at www.WholeasaleChess.com available only for orders placed online on that Thursday from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm PST. The Thursday Chess Deals change from week to week but the savings are always significant – we often sell our chess deals to you at or below our cost! You can sign up for Thursday Chess Deals email notifications or follow us on Twitter or Facebook today!
A Few Things You Should understand about Thursday Chess Deals
Thursday Chess Deals are limited to stock on hand and no rain checks or back orders will be allowed. Customers may choose to purchase one or both of the Thursday Chess Deals but will be limited to a maximum of one of each item per Thursday. Orders containing a Thursday Chess Deal are not eligible for any other promotions, discounts or PriceMatches. Thursday Chess Deals are only available for the item listed. No substitutions of product, color, size, etc., will be allowed.
Copyright 2012 Wholesale Chess. All rights reserved.
