GOODWILL KHOA IN OLYMPIC TEAM - GERMANY 2008

In the Senior Section of the 4th Sanlam Namibia National Chess Championships another young talent who’s name need no introduction Goodwill Khoa (1685) also exceeded everyone's expectation. He ended in 4th position with 5.5/8 only half a point behind the leaders Frans, Charles and Otto all with 6/8. Another milestone for him is that none of the trio could win him, but had to settle for draws or else…!

Dear reader please note that this youngster took several top awards in the Junior sections. He got coaching from GM Henrik Danielsen a couple of times and are under the watchfull eye of Max Nitzborn. Therefore TWCA can’t claim all the glory for his success. TWCA offered 3 Months of free training lessons to the 2 best juniors Goodwill and Julian in last years Wernhill Rapid Tournaments. This was merely to encourage the players and grow the sport. Goodwill is a keen student and is working very hard at the moment to reach greater hights in chess. He mentioned at several ocassions that he would like to become a chess Grandmaster. The talent and eagerness is there! It's just a matter of time before he could achieve this goal.

Well I would also like to share with you the interview with Goodwill.

TWCA– You’ve shown great potential during tournaments the past year or two. And because of this you got a 3 month training agreement at TWCA. Did the training at TWCA help you in your latest stellar performance?
Goodwill– Yes, one of my weaknesses was to analyze properly. I could experience the change in my game when I started to apply the lessons.

TWCA– You recorded draws in your games against the top trio in this championship, except against Werner who ended 5th position after you. This is a good sign of your improvement and consistency. How do you feel about that?
Goodwill– No emotions yet, but not winning the trio was a bit sad. The championship was tough and really tiring. I might have had better results if it wasn’t so tiring.

TWCA– You qualified for your first time for an Olympic Team. How does it feel to know you’re in the team on their way to Dresdin– Germany in November 2008?
Goodwill– My main aim, since I heard about the team and qualifying criteria, was to be part of this team. It’s a dream come true and one of my new years resolutions realizing.

TWCA– Congratulations and keep it up.
Goodwill– Thanks.

MITCH BRINGING HOME BRONZE MEDAL FOR TWCA

We again stood in awe to see mind blowing chess by the TWCA students in the Junior section of the 4th Sanlam Namibia Chess Championship held in Windhoek from 18-23 March 2008.
TWCA enrolled the 10 best students in the Junior section as per the pre-qualifying tournament hosted on 8 March 2008.

Mitch Nitzborn added to his collection a bronze medal in chess as well as the 3rd Bronze Medal for a TWCA student. Mitch scored 6 out of 8 games. With a local chess rating (playing strength) of 1300 he ended 3rd after Julian Isaak (1535) and Chez-Ray Allies (1494). Christo Retief (1300) ended 4th with 5/8 after dealing with rival Katjovi Matjiua (1303) who still has a plus score of 1 game against him. Another stunner was Tjitjiri Tjaronda (1100) who scored 4.5/8 in 5th position. This boy is in BEG.COURSE I and only got training for 1 and a half month. He won and left behind experienced players on their level in the likes of Chauncey (1156); Spatzi (1143) and Katjovi (1303). This shows that TWCA are STAR loaded.

...And the Success story continues for both trainer and students. On 15 Mar 2008 TWCA Trainer, Max Nitzborn, Proofed that he has indeed on of the fastest chess brains in Namibia by taking the Bronze in the 2008 Namibian Independence Blitz Chess Championships for a second consecutive year.
Max (1905) had a bad start in the first leg of the said event, but proved himself worthy to be on the podium by taking first place in the second leg and with an overall score ending in 3rd position.

...like father, like son...

THE WEEKEND CHESS ACADEMY STARTS WITH A BANG!!

In the pictures are the first students for 2008 outside and inside the classroom.

The Weekend Chess Academy started of with a bang! Last year, on day one we only had one student, Christo Retief who is currently the Champion of The Weekend Chess Academy. The number of students who registered throughout the year grew to 21 but only 7 remained until the end. This year is showing great prospects and the trainers are very excited to teach the youngsters good chess. In the picture are 17 learners who enrolled for the 2008 academic year at The Weekend Chess Academy.

The coming weekend, 26 January 2008 we expect more students and that will conclude our registrations for 2008. Two talented juniors namely, Julian Isaaks and Goodwill Khoa who won 2 months of chess training at the Wernhil Park Rapid Chess Grand Prix last year will also join the group during the year. We would like to encourage parents to register their children this weekend to avoid disappointment. To the children - We welcome you all and trust that you will have a great year at TWCA.

To the parents - you invest in your children's future, congratulations!


We are grateful to Orban Primary School for their assistance in kind. With a venue to teach chess we can go a long way in the future.

For more information please contact Josef at 0811227132 or Max at 0811221183.

CHESS IS FUN, CHESS IS FUN, CHESS IS FUN, CHESS IS FUN, CHESS IS FUN.......

CHRISTO RETIEF CROWNED AS THE WEEKEND CHESS ACADEMY CHAMPION 2007

In the picture from left to right is Eddy, Romano, Camy, Christo(Champion) Deidre, Devin, Pedrano and at the back is Fidemaster Leonhard Mueller.

Christo Retief, the first student to register with The Weekend Chess Academy got a perfect score of 7/7 after he defeated all his opponents in a closed Round Robin which was held at Maerua Mall. Christo received a gold medal and N$100.00 cash. He was followed by Romano Coetzee with 6/7. Romano received a silver medal and N$80.00 cash. In third place came Devin Plaatjes with 4/7. Devin received a bronze medal and N$60.00 cash.

The other participants were, Pedrano Strauss with 3.5/7 Deidre Plaatjes with 3/7, Camy Nitzborn with 2.5/7 and Eddy Camm with 2/7. Christo was clearly the strongest player and displayed great talent. The total prizes amounting to N$ 630.00 was sponsored by The Weekend Chess Academy. Four of the participants received Chessmaster 9000 CD’s valued at N$59.00 each.

We had FIDE Master Leonhard Mueller as a guest and he handed over the prizes to the participants. Each participant got a certificate for passing the level 1 course material which was presented to them since January 2007. The Weekend Chess Academy can be contacted for chess lessons at 0811221183 or 0811227132.

HOW TO DEFEND AGAINST THE SCHOLARS MATE?

The Dreaded Scholars Mate.

The idea of the scholars mate is to checkmate your unwary opponent in 4 moves. The moves for both sides are: 1.e4 e5, 2. Bc4 Nc6, 3.Qh5 Nf6?4. Qxf7#.

Your fear is over as TWCA has the answers for you. When your opponent plays 2. Bc4 reply with 2...Nf6. Yes, the antidote is 2. Nf6. This will prevent 3. Qh5? and if he or she dares to play 3.Qh5? you simply capture the Queen with your knight on h5. 3.Nxh5 wining.

Some opponents will try to delay the checkmate by playing 3.Qf3 and then pushing the g pawn to g2-g4, g5 to harras the knight and checkmate will follow on f7 if you dare to move your knight. So be very, very careful. Your answer to 4.g4 is 4...Nc6 threatening 5...Nd4 if white dares to play 5. g5. I hope this will end your misery once and for all.

THE WEEKEND CHESS ACADEMY OFFERS CHESS LESSONS

In the Picture is Josef in action with revision questions to the students.

The Weekend Chess Academy was established in January 2007 and offers chess lessons to all interested.

Tutor's Profile: Max B. Nitzborn started to play chess in 1985 as a high school pupil. He was taught how to play by his classmate Gunter Husselman at age 15. Since that day he had a desire to play good chess and always go for the win. He scoop a few tournaments, namely: Champion Tisan Games 1998, Polytechnic Champion 1999, 2nd at Swakopmund Rapid Chess Champs 2005, 2nd at Walvis Bay Harbor Open Day 2006. 2nd at Independence Blitz 2006, 3rd Independence Blitz 2007. Today amongst the top ten rated players in Namibia. Chess Coach to Josef Nitzborn.

Josef Nitzborn started to play chess at age 5 (1987). Namibian Junior Chess Champion 1999-2000, Namibian Chess Olympic Team 2006, Turin, Italy. All Africa Games 2007 Algeria, Silver Medalist Coca Cola Open Chess Tournament Class-A 2007. Amongst the top ten rated Namibian chess players.

We offer chess lessons to students from grade 1-12. The package includes:

1. a membership card


2. A File


3. Lessons and homework


4. Tournament registration fees for top 10 students at local tournaments


5. Special discount to TWCA students inviting friends to join.

Our Fees:

Once-off Registration Fee N$50.00

Monthly fee:

• 1 Student = N$150.00


• 2 Students = N$250.00


• 3 Students = N$350.00


• Sliding scale
• Schools or group fees negotiable

Fees for adults will be N$50.00 per hour or part thereof.

When:

Saturdays, from 9h00 to 12h00 AM.

Where:

Orban Primary School, Mercury Street, Windhoek West.

Should you wish to join us send an e-mail to josef.twca@yahoo.com or nitzborn@yahoo.com.

We hope to get your move soon!!

Josef and Max.