chest

James started playing chess when he was four or five years old. He used to call it "Chest". I believe it was Floyd who introduced it to him. Anyhow, he has loved to play since, although he has a hard time sometimes finding somebody to play with him. He's tried to teach me twice and my eyes cross. I make him write down the pieces and everything they can do - I also drive him nuts because when it's my turn I always ask "what would YOU do if it were your turn?" - He still asks me to play though so he must really be that desperate for a partner.

I digress.

This past Saturday the 30th we had a hockey break and got to go to his first chess tourney. It was in St Cloud/Waite Park. He was in his element.

They were to play I think 8 rounds of chess. When they got to the 6th round their computers BOTH "went down" and they weren't able for some reason to play those last two rounds. Whatever. He ended up in 14th place out of 48 kids. I was a little worried because the first round some kid beat him in I think two moves. And he doesn't particularly take losing well. But he was geeked most of the day, running around and talking to kids and comparing notes - he learned a "4-move kill" I think he called it, which really excited him.

I'm kicking myself I didn't bring a real camera, but the 'ol iPhone always works in a pinch. They frowned on flash photography, which made us giggle because, really? At any other sporting event you can use your flash. Whatever. I didn't have that option anyway.





This is how Ruby spent most of her day, although we did take a little lunch break and go get some veggies to snack on.





This morning I sent a note to his Math teacher (who's also sort of his 'advisor') asking what it would take to get a Chess Club started in school. She thought that was a great idea and said she'd look into it.