New Episode of my Chess is Cool Podcast

Hello everyone!

Last night I recorded a new episode of my Chess is Cool Audio podcast. You can listen to it by clicking here.

In this Episode #35 I talk of my tournament life this last fall, and I give over 50 tips on how improve your play in blitz chess.

You can also go directly to my Podcast page for past episodes, or subscribe (for free) in iTunes.

Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk

Women's World Chess Champion

www.chessblog.com

www.chessiscool.com

My reason of living

One thing that I like the most about being a role-model for boys and girls, something that makes my profession of chess-player and chess-educator so special, is the wonderful gifts, letters, emails and wishes, that young chess players sometimes send to me.

On the photo above, you can see a picture of me made by and sent to me by the young chess champion of Russia U-8 - Alexandra Obolentseva by the way she has her own web-site - http://www.sasha.su/

On the photos below you can see some letters that were sent by the Class 4-206 at P.S. 18, Queens, NY just after I won the world championship in Nalchik.

The most fascinating thing for me is to watch girls and boys playing chess. Despite being so young, they create, fight, they are trying to become better not only in chess but also in life. Chess often gives us the reason of living, it opens in front of us a wonderful world full of magic. We play, win or lose, we become a big part of this world. Fascinated by this ancient game, that came to us across the centuries.

Thanks to all of you for these wonderful congratulations letters, special thanks to the teacher of this class Vicky Guadagno who inspires these young kids to study chess, and helps me in my goal to show the world that "Chess is Cool!


















Posted by: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Women's World Chess Champion
www.chessblog.com

Chess is Cool in Chess Camp

Yesterday I had a chance to enjoy the 4th of July parade and the fireworks. Although it was very hot in Miami I spent a wonderful time with my family.

On Friday, July 3rd, the second session of my Chess is Cool Camp finished.


Here is what we studied with the kids in these two weeks:

CHESS MATERIAL STUDIED IN THE CHESS IS COOL SUMMER CAMP AT THE WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME WITH THE WOMEN’S WORLD CHESS CHAMPION ALEXANDRA KOSTENIUK:

1. Chess Notation

2. How to win a chess game

3. Checkmating the lonely king with a queen, with two rooks, with a rook.

4. How to make a draw: a- stalemate; b- insufficient checkmating material; c- –50 moves rule; d- threefold repetition

5. Basic opening principles

6. Basic middle game principles

7. Basic endgame principles

8. 4 moves checkmate (also known as the scholar’s mate) and how not to be checkmated in 4 moves.

9. Protecting the weakest link of the starting position: – the squares f2 and f7.

10. Pawns are the soul of chess. What you need to know about pawns: en-passant, pawn promotion, pawns game.

11. Chess tactics: double-attack and forks, pins and skewers, discovered checks and attacks.

12. Castling

13. Free stuff

14. Batteries in chess

15. Back-rank mates

That's only the main topics we studied, we also went over many useful instructional chess games of great chess players, played many tournaments, solved hundreds of useful chess problems and had fun studying and playing chess.

From July 6 to July 10 I will have my last chess camp session and then my family and I are planning to go for a vacation trip to the Disney World in Orlando!!!!

Posted by: Alexandra Kosteniuk

Women's World Chess Champion

www.chessblog.com