Eighth Grade National Champions!
November 30th, 2011 
jgalvin 
The I.S. 318 captured the eighth grade national championship in Dallas, Texas. The team was led by Isaac Barayev who scored 5 points and demonstrated his leadership skills by helping the team to win yet another championship. The eighth grade also included Kenneth Martin and the chess playing twins Mariah and Maya McGreen.
The seventh grade team came up just a bit short coming in second in the nation and our spunky sixth graders came in fifth. Watch out for those sixth graders…they are on the way up.
Highlights From the IS 318 Tournament
October 25th, 2011 Elizabeth This past weekend the IS 318 took on many strong teams in the Open section and some players had an outstanding tournament. Markus Pond had a great tournament by beating both Azeez and Ashanti and his rating will see a big boost.
Here is Raphael’s victory over Chris Mercado
Positions and Photos from the IS 318 tournament
October 23rd, 2011 Elizabeth 
1. Keith is black in the above position and lost after his opponent played 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Ng5 Ke7 9. Qxg4. What did he miss?
2. Yuxin was on the black side of this Panov, and her opponent just played 9. c5. What are some ideas for black in this position (and in general in panov positions where they play c4-c5)?
3. Anita was white here. Find an idea for her.
4. Jacob can take one b7 in three different ways. Which way is best?
5. In the above position, Edeli blundered with 5… Bf5. What’s wrong with this natural-looking developing move?
6. Kevin was black in this caro kann and he’s just played 5… h6, which prompted his opponent to sac on f7–6.Nxf7. Is Kevin in trouble, or is the sac just bad?
7. Tristan has just played 9. Qa4+. Black has five ways to block. Rank them from best to worst.
8. Later in the same game, a second Qa4 check was blocked with 13…b5. How should white respond?
9. and the game’s conclusion: Tristan is in check and has four legal moves. Rank 40. Kh3, 40. Kg1, 10. Kh1, and 40. g3 in order from best to worst.
pictures!
Tommy, Zanea, Stefek, Justin, Tristan
Jacob
Kevin and Jorge
Mubassar and Vincente
Maya
Shanniah, Joel, Mariah
Isaiah
Jamye
William
answers!
1. Keith missed that after 8. Ng5, he can just take the knight: 8… Qxg5, since 9. Nxg5 allows 9… Bxd1 and black ends up ahead a piece for a pawn (the bishop that white incorrectly sacked on f7).
2. In some lines (usually the 5.. Nc6 lines), c4-c5 can be dangerous, especially when white can support it with b2-b4.
Yuxin played 9… b6, which makes a lot of sense, trying to break down white’s pawn structure and space advantage.
Another great idea to know for black is Nf6-e4. The point is if 9…Ne4 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Bxe7 Qxe7, that the Nf3 has to move and Rfd8 is coming and black will win white’s d pawn. If white doesn’t take, then black just has a nice centralized knight.
Playing e6-e5 is possible sometimes, but it’s hard because it usualy hangs or seriously weakens d5.
3. White can double rooks on the a file and win the a5 pawn.
4. 22.Rexb7 and 22. Bxb7 are both good moves, but Jacob unfortunately chose the one that lost: after 22. Rbxb7, black wins the exchange with 22… Rd1+ 23. Kg2 Bd5+.
5. 5… Bf5 undefends b7 and allows the double attack 6. Qb3, hitting d5 and b7.
6. I was worried when I saw Kevin’s position because he normally remembers everything I’ve ever told him, so if he gets caught in an opening trap, it’s probably my fault. But Nxf7 is nothing here, and Kevin kept his cool and defended well: 6… Kxf7 7. Bc4 e6 8. 0-0 Bd6 9. Re1 Re8. Kevin told me afterwards that he was worried more about the variation 7. Ng5 Kg8 8. Bc4+ e6 9. Ng6 Rh7 10. Bd3, but we agreed that after 10… Bd6, black is really just fine.
7. The worst is 9… Qd7, which loses the queen to 10. Bb5.
9… b5 is just sacking a pawn for no reason.
Tristan’s opponent played the bad move 9… Nfd7, which loses the bishop after 10. Nxe5 dxe5 11. Qxg4.
9… Ned7 is ok.
9… Bd7 gains a tempo on the queen and is therefore the best way to block.
8. Tristan correctly took on b5 with the knight: 14. Nxb5 axb5 15. Bxb5 Nd7 16. Bxd7 Ke7 (16… Qxd7 17. Qxa8).
9. After 37. g3 Qf2 38. Kh3, black has no more checks and white is up a piece and completely winning.
37. Kg1 and 37. Kh1 both allow either perpetual check (Qh4-f2-h4-f2), or if white interposes with Qh3, allow black to play e3-e2-e1.
Tragically, 37. Kh3 allowed 37… Qh4#.
IS 318 Kicks Off New School Year with Victories in Chinatown and Harlem
October 14th, 2011 Elizabeth 
IS 318 got off to an impressive start this school year by winning 5/6 of the sections they competed in.
In the FDA tournament held on Columbus Day, IS 318 narrowly won the Open section over really tough opposition. Senior player Issac Barayev went 4-0 in the Open section to lead the team to victory. Avery Jonas and Kenneth Martin also played impressively.
Issac’s little brother Jacob went 4-0 in the Novice section! Super brothers.
Results for the tournament in Chinatown can be seen here. http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201110013381
Danny Feng Become Expert! David and D’andrea Big Winners
March 26th, 2011 jgalvin At the Arcturian Chess Tournament today in Downtown Brooklyn, Danny Feng achieved his personal goal of becoming a chess expert! He drew Master Jake Miller and defeated former 318 great Oscar Santana. David Kim kept up the tradition of winning money by collecting over 100 dollars by scoring 3/4 including a sparkling win over 2300 level player Anton Krasnov. D’andrea Dey defeated Matheu Jeffreson as well. The team looks ready for Nationals!
Puzzles from PS 11, Part One
February 14th, 2011 Elizabeth 
1. Anthony (white) has been studying the Max Lange, and here he played an exciting “318 theory” sacrifice to generate play.
2. This is his position a few moves later. How did white force checkmate?
3. Zion McKenzie was white. What should he have done?
4. Carlos Tapia (white) found a way to win a piece here.
5. Later in the same game, Carlos finds a nice tactic to win even more material and simplify the position.
6. 318 alumnus and assistant coach Pobo Efekoro showed us a beautiful tactic he played against Ashanti Murray at the city championship 2 weeks ago. White to move, above.
7. Spike Smith was thrilled to win the Junior High Novice section for the first time. He is black in the above position, and his opponent failed to find the best move with his Nc3. Where should white have gone?
8. Same game, a few moves later. What is black’s most crushing line?
9. Ariel Peguero was white in the above position. How could his opponent have won a pawn?
10. This time it’s Ariel’s turn for a tactic. White to move.
11. Kevin was black in the above position. How can he set up an UNSTOPPABLE CHECKMATE?
answers
1. Anthony played 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Ng5+ Kf8 9. Qxg4 d6 and they reached the second diagram.
2. The game finished 10. Qf4+ Kg8 11. Qf7#
3. Zion missed 1. Nb3 Qb6 2. Na4
4. Carlos played 10. Ne4, and black cannot hold both the Bc5 and Nd5. the game continued 10…Qf8 11. Bxd5 Bg4 12. Nxc5 Qxc5, and they reached the position in the fifth question.
5. The game continued 13. Bxf7! Kxf7 14. Ng5+ Kg8 15. Qxg4 (amazingly,15. Qb3 is even better).
6. Pobo played 1. Qh5+ Kd8 2. Ba5!! Qxa5 3. Nxe6#
7. White should play 1. Nxd5, since 1…exd5 2. exd5 regains the piece. Instead, he retreated with 1. Nd1, after which black captures on e4 and is up two monster pawns.
8. Spike can play 1….Qa5+ since both 2. Kf1 Bb5! and 2. c3 Bb5 3. Qc2 d3! are fantastic for black.
9. 1…Nxa2+ 2. Kd2 (2. Nxa2?? Qxe4; 2. Kb1?? Nxc3 3. bxc3 Qxe4) Qxe4 3. Nxe4 Rfb8 4. b4 Rb4 is slightly better for black.
10. 1. Qc6! traps the knight. It’s better than 1. Qb7 d5!
11. 1…a5 cuts off the white king’s escape and threatens both 2…Rc3 and 2…b5.
Chess problems from the IS 318 tournament
January 30th, 2011 Elizabeth Congratulations to Moshe for winning the Junior High Novice section!!
1. Brian Arthur was white here. What should he play?
2. He actually played 22. Rf3 Rxc2 23. Bxc2 Qa5! How should he continue here?
3. Carlos took on h2: 15…Bxh2 16. Kh1. What should he play next?
4. The game actually continued 16…Bd6 17. Nb5 Play for black?
answers
1. Brian has mate in 6 with 22. Rxg7 Kxg7 23. Qg4+ Kh8 24. Qe4.
2. After 22. Rf3 Rxc2 23. Bxc2 Qa5, Brian found the only winning line, 24. Qxh6 gxh6 25. Bxf6+ Kg8 26. Rg3+ Qg5 27. Bxg5. Unfortunately, he had some trouble winning the piece up ending. 
3. He should continue 16..Ng4! 17. Be1 Rxb2!
4. 17. Nb5 allows black to simply take the knight, 17…cxb5, as white’s queen is then attacked.
Puzzles from the PS 124 tournament!
January 24th, 2011 Elizabeth 
1. Edeli is white in the position above. Her opponent played 9…Bg4. What happens next?
2. Teraab was black in the above position, and his opponent advanced in the center with e4. Is this thematic or just bad?
3. Jorge (black) found a great move here, winning white’s queen. What is it?
Danny, with the fist of determination.
answers
1. A beautiful position reminiscent of a trap in the Fort Knox French (after 1, e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6 6. Bd3 Nf6? 7. Nxf6 Qxf6? 8. Bg5! Bxf3 9. Qd2!!). After 9… Bg4, it looks like the queen is trapped, but white can try 10. Bxf6, since 10… Qxf6 11. Qxg4 and 10…Bxf3 11. Bxd8 both leave white up a piece. However, black has the tricky move 10… Qd7! defending the bishop and keeping the white queen trapped. Now white cannot play 11. Qxd5 because of 11…Bxh2 and 12….Qxd5. White can try the startling 11. Bf5!, hoping for 11…Qxf5? 12. Qxf5 Bxf5 13. Bb2 (13. Bxg7). But black just continues calmly with 11…Bxf5 and after 12. Bxg7 Rg8 13. Bb2 Be4 wins for black, as does 12. Bb2 Bg4.
2. Teraab’s opponent (Mario) could not play e4, because the rook on e1 will prove to be overloaded. For example, 8. e4 dxe4 9. dxe4 Nxe4 (9…Bxe4? 10. Nxe4 Qxd1 11. Nxf6+ and white is up a piece) 10. Nxe4 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 Bxe4 and black is up a pawn. Compare this to a line we play against the pirc: 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2 c6 6. a4 0-0 7. 0-0 Nbd7 8. Bf4 Re8 9. h3 e5? 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Bxe5.
3. Jorge played the beautiful double attack 1…Nb4, hitting the queen and threatening 2…Nxa2#. After the only move, 2. Qb3, Jorge continued 2…Nd3 3. Kb1 Nc5+.
Puzzles from the Marshall and FDA tournaments
January 24th, 2011 Elizabeth 
1. In the above position, Kevin Marin blundered with 10. Ne5. How should Vaughn Soso (black) have responded?
2. Suggest an idea for Avery Jonas (white).
3. James Black was black in this position against Vaughn Soso. The game continued 8…d5 9. Bd3. How did Black now win a piece?
4. Kenneth Martin has gotten his bishop trapped. What should he (black) have done about it?
5. Here, Kenneth played 7…Bg4. What was he planning if white takes on b7?
6. Should black (Vaughn) trade rooks?
7. David Kim is white in this position, and he found a long forced mate. Try to see all the way until the end.
Kenneth, Maya, and Kevin
Kevin
Marcus
Kenneth
James
answers
1. a common trap in the French Fort Knox. Black wins a pawn with 10… Bxe5 11. dxe5 Qd5, forking g2 and e5,
1. a common trap in the French Fort Knox. Black wins a pawn with 10… Bxe5 11. dxe5 Qd5, forking g2 and e5,
2. We’ve been doing “improve a piece” exercises in class, so I was happy to find this great example! A nice idea for white here is Nc1-b3, pressuring the a5 pawn. Unfortunately, Avery was too hasty with 1. Ra6, allowing a fork with Bd3.
3. 9…e5 10. Ne2 d4!
4. Kenneth played 1…Ne8 2. Nxg6 fxg6 3. fxg6 h6, hoping to win the g6 pawn later. He ended up in more serious danger than he anticipated. he should have played 1…Bh5! 2. Bxh5 Nxh5 3, Qxh5 Bxh4 =
5. He had seen that 7…Na5 8. Qb4 e6! traps the queen. Kenneth has gained 180 points from his current published monthly supplement. three cheers for Kenneth!
6. The endgane is quite ok for black if he keeps both or one pair of rooks on the board. It’s easy to give in the evil impulse to trade when you feel you are losing, as here, when Vaughn’s decision to trade both pairs of rooks with 1… Rxd1 2. Rxd1 Rd8 3. Rxd8 Kxd8 4. Kf4 h6 5. g4! (after which the white king invaded easily) led direcly to losing an (almost) even position.
7. David won with 23. Qh7+ Kf8 24. Qh8+ Ke7 25. Bh4+ g5 26. Rxf7+ Kxf7 27. Qh7+ Kf8 28. Bg6 Be8 29. Qh8+ Ke7 30. Qg7+ Bf7 31. Qxf7#. Bravo!
