Special Events

Olympiad 2012

2011-10-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

Date: May 19th, 2012

Location: University of Belize Gym, Belmopan
Participants: are selected by district associations. Dates for those selection tournaments are listed at the Current Events page.
Do not miss the event!

Toledo Female Team is the strongest in the nation!

2011-06-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

On May 21, 2011, The BEST of the BEST chess players from each District throughout Belize met at the UB Gymnasium in Belmopan to represent their districts in the Grand National

Chess Olympiad 2011

From the start, when a Wizard introduced the King and Queen, who were followed by a marching band,

stilt walkers, Garifuna dancers and even a dancing clown,

the tone was set for a spectacular event. It was truly a celebration of art, imagination, creativity, sportsmanship and chess!

For the last year chess players around the country have been preparing for a tournament that Chess Grandmaster Maurice Ashley said was “what all chess tournaments should be.”

With the start of the first round it was clear that the chess being played would live up to all the excitement of the opening ceremony. The hard work of the BNYCF and hundreds of volunteers had clearly paid off.

However, while each player was already a winner in representing their district at this national event, in the end, only a handful of the nearly 200 competitors could claim victory at the 2011 Belize Chess Olympiad.

Results:

Top Team: 1st - Supreme Pawns, SC, Ivan Pixabaj, Ivor Pixabaj, Alfred Awe, Javier Lisbey; Congratulations Stann Creek!

They remained the proud honers of the traveling trophy!

2nd (Tie)place - Famous Knights, E. Cayo, Gabriel Cocom, Jeremy Chiang, Christian Velasquez, Akeem Jenkins and The Generals, Bze, Marc Noble, Dwayne Rodriguez, Steve Flowers, Joshua Gegg

3rd place - Crusty Kings, SC, Kenrick Fransisco, Lloyd Augustine, Kris Sanchez, Rick Pascasio;

First place Female Team :

Team from Toledo, Powerful Queens: Juanita Rash, Silvia Pan, Virginia Cus, Betty Bul. Toledo is the leading district in the country in developing and promoting chess among the girls. Congratulations, Toledo!

Individual results:

8 Years and Under: 1st - Gabriel Cocom, E. Cayo; 2nd - Delroy Chan, SC; 3rd - Aaron Tamay, Czl; 4th - Isani Cal, Tol; 5th - Stefan Henderson, E. Cayo; 6th - Nigel Romero, Tol

9 and 10 Years: 1st - Vincent Hulse, W. Cayo; 2nd – Keiderre Loria, Czl; 3rd – Jeremy Chaing, E. Cayo; 4th – Luis Zavala, OW; 5th – Lizandro Yascal, Czl; 6th – Benjamin Perez, W. Cayo

11 Years: 1st – Ivan Pixibaj, SC; 2nd – Lloyd Augustine, SC; 3rd – Pedro Tamay, Czl; 4th – Juanita Rash, Tol; 5th – Leander Compos, OW; 6th – Jerome Sho, SC.

12 Years: 1st – Dwayne Rodriguez, Bze; 2nd – Joshua Chaing, E. Cayo; 3rd – Lorenzo Cho, E. Cayo; 4th – Mauricio Noble, Bze; 5th – Zack Anderson, E. Cayo; 6th – Erwin Wills, E. Cayo.

13 and 14 Years: 1st- Ivor Pixibaj, SC; 2nd - Dolores Sho, SC; 3rd - Simon Lotiff, W. Cayo; 4th - Jason Argueta, SC; 5th - Yassir Gonzales, OW; 6th - Kris Sanchez, SC.

15 and Older: 1st - Alfred Awe, SC; 2nd - Steve Flowers, Bze; 3rd - Akeem Jenkins, E. Cayo; 4th - Javier Lisbey, SC; 5th - Hilberto Choc,Tol; 6th - Christian Aban;

Best Female individual players: Nia Beane, E. Cayo, Isiaris Barrera, E. Cayo, Juanita Rash, Tol, Tatiana Henderson E. Cayo, Teresita Rash, Tol , Maricela Cocom, E. Cayo.

Golden Kings and Queens: 1st - Gerry Sharoni, 2nd - Cordelia Raymond, 3rd - Marge Petzold, 4th - Leonie Cain, 5th - Nellie Quigley, 6th - Ernest Raymond.

Open Section: 1st- Carlton Roches, Bze; 2nd - Christobal Campos, Tol; 3rd - Andy Ko, OW

Additional Awards:

Sportsmanship - Owen Martinez, OW; Kenrick Fransisco, SC; Kyle Rodriguez, Bze; Herman Alvarez, SC; Shakira Valle, Bze; Maricela Cocom, E. Cayo.

Effort - Zhair Lizama, Bze; Michael Gomez, E. Cayo; Benjamin Jimenez, OW; Everaldo Coh, Tol; Eliazar Garrido, OW; Michaelynn Young, SC.

Perseverance - Thaddia Hulse, W. Cayo, Michelle Briceno, OW; Victoria Yat, OW; Xena Zul. Czl; :Leander Campos, OW; Jamal Witty, W. Cayo; Natalia Henderson, E. Cayo; Delores Sho, SC; Gabriel Campos, OW; Michael Schwietzer, W. Cayo.

Puzzles - Heizen Loria, Czl; Keiderre Loria, Czl; Brandon Usher, Bze; Amairie Huitz, Czl; Troy Roches, Bze; Dong Pan Xiao, OW.

Art Work - Ludvin Pat, W. Cayo; Ethon Martinez, W. Cayo; Eden Pech, Czl; Tiago Tonaco, Bze; Chenoa Gonzalez, W. Cayo.

Team Banners: 1st - Righteous Rooks, W. Cayo 2nd - U-Knighted, SC; 3rd - Krispy Kings, E. Cayo.

Best District Presentation at Opening Ceremony - Stann Creek, Brian Chun.

Mr. Kisling Award for most senior and Youngest Players: Most Senior - Nellie Quigley, Cayo; Youngest - Kaylon Viarez, Toledo

Chess Coaches of the Year: Gilberto Perez, Czl; Eric Cal, OW; Kevin Frasure, OW; Rosana Chun, SC; Brian Chun, SC; David Martinez, Bze; Santos Carbahal, Bze; Policarpo Cus, Tol; Jose Teul, Tol; Richard Beane, E. Cayo; Karen Chaleki, E. Cayo; Ella Anderson, E. Cayo; Ronnie Ulloa, W. Cayo; David Coombs, W. Cayo.

Chess Personalities of the Year: Bze - Santos Carbajal, Valerie Rodriguez, Debbie Burns, Charlton Roches; W. Cayo - Tanya Hulse, Armando Cowo, Abdul Lotiff, Jon Ottley, Jay Coombs; E. Cayo - Alma Gomez, America Waight, Leonie Cain, John Shannon; Czl - Angel Mejia, Omar Huitz, Elvia Huitz, Pamela Cob, Humberto Juarez; OW - Elena Carballo, Marja Zavala, Jose Lahera, Arnaldo Perez; SC - Pedro Pixabaj, Mr. Longsworth, Jerry Collins, Mardi Collins, Francis Humphreys; Tol - Policarpo Cus, Evagrio Bol, Carolina Rush, Aurora Coc, Gustavo Bul.

Special THANKS goes to Caracol Stiltwalkers from Arenal. THis is their second year of participation in teh Chess Olympiad. Here is a bit of information for those who are not familiar with them:

Caracol is a youth development and community arts organisation working in the Adjacency zone between Belize and Guatemala. We use all forms of art as tools for personal development, confidence building and group formation. The stilt walker group rehearse each week to present their shows that include acrobatics, juggling and dance. The group also produce their own costumes using sewing machines given as donations. Stilts are not toys they are a serious tool that require dedication, fitness, flexibility and respect; a stiltwalker cannot function well alone! The stiltwalkers from Arenal have performed twice at the Chess Olympiad and also at the Belie City Carnival, The National Festival of Arts Parade, Spelling B, Independance Day Parades in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Mango Fest, Cayo Arts Festival, Band Fest, Festival of Lights in Cristo Rey, World March for Peace and Non Violence in Melchor De Mencos and in numerous other events in Belize and Guatemala.

It was a day of fun, music, arts and entertainment,, the way our National Chess Olympiads always are!

Special Gratitude for Individuals and Businesses who helped to sponsor the event!

Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, Banana Bank Lodge ,The Reporter, Love FM / TV, Builders Hardware, BRC printing, Art Box, Belmopan City on line,Guardian General Insurance, Scotia bank, RFG insurance, Atlantic Insurance, Hot Mama’s, D. F. C.

Chess Olympiad 2010

2010-04-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Last year Olympiad winners: Cayo district

This year: Stann Creek CheckMates the Nation !

The Belize National Youth Chess Foundation’s third annual national chess tournament, “Chess Olympiad 2010” was held on Saturday, April 17^th, at the UB Gymnasium in Belmopan with over 400 persons in attendance to support almost 200 players who arrived from across Belize.

Stann Creek teams, led by Brian Chun, Stann Creek Chess Association President, won every team award offered at the Olympiad. Well, almost.. Two all female teams tied for first place in the category of Top Female team and only one of the teams was from Stann Creek. The second tied team for first place was from Corozal. That’s right.. Corozal was the kink in the Stann Creek’s armor, preventing them from Blitzing the entire tournament.

Team Standings:

First Place Team: 4C Chess Champions from Stann Creek, Fitzroy Chan of Delille High School, Jovel Chaic of Maya Mopan Primary, Zahira Chun of Hope Creek Methodist, Luis Tut of Delille High School, Coach: Rosana Chun. In addition to the team prize they got the travelling trophy that was won last year by Cayo Team.

Second Place Team: Supreme Pawns from Stann Creek, Alfred Awe of Ecumenical High, Delroy Chan of Holy Angels Primary, Ivan Pixabaj of Silk Grass Methodist, Javier Lisbey of Ecumenical High, Coach Ray Lawrence.

Third Place Team tied between: Knightwish chess team from Stann Creek, Kris Sanchez of Delille High School, Kennrick Francisco Jr. of Lady of Gudelupe, Lloyd Augustine Jr. of Sacred Heart Primary, Rick Pascascio of Ecumenical High, coach Brian Chun

and:Medieval Knights of Stann Creek, Ivor Pixaabaj of Silk Grass Methodist, Jerome Sho of Silk Grass Methodist, Dolores Sho of Silk Grass Methodist, Herman Bull of Silk Grass Methodist, coach Pedro Pixabaj.

In the category of top female team, there was a tie.. and along with the Stann Creek’s Princess Pawns female team, Corozal’s Soaring Queens also won first place.

1st place female team from Corozal: Soaring Queens, Karisa Thomas of Paraiso Govt. S, Ana Mendoza of Paraiso Govt. S, Irene Perez of Santa Clara R.C.S, Xena Tzul of San Narciso R.C.S, Coach: Rosana Ake

1st Place female team from Stann Creek: Princess Pawns, Collen Tate of Ecumenical High, Amira Tate of Sacred Heart Primary, Zahira Martinez of Hope Creek Methodist, Rajel Villafranco of Ecumenical High, coach: Debbie Chun

During the 2008 Olympiad, Stann Creek tied for first place team competition with Toledo and during the 2009 Olympiad, Cayo team won the first place team title; so in 2010, a real competition raged between all six districts. Although all teams from all districts played exceptionally and with brave hearts, it was the 4 Stann Creek Teams that closed out the day.

The Belize National Youth Chess Foundation CONGRATULATES and SALUTES the efforts of Brian Chun, his coaches, community volunteers and supporters in Stann Creek for their outstanding performance this year in the Team standings at the Chess Olympiad 2010.

And the Indvidual Winners are ..

With over 400 persons in attendance to support almost 200 chess players from across Belize, the competition was strong and fierce .. but sportsmanship and team playing proved to be the strongest results in the end.

Belize National Youth Chess Foundation coaches promote sportsmanship, team efforts, winning with humility and loosing with dignity, best efforts.. all these components and many more are a valued trait of “Ultimate Belize Chess Players”.

Governor General’s Special Award presented to: Gabriel Cocom, Cayo, highest rated young player.

Best Female Players: 8 and under: Zahira Chun, SC,. 9 and 10: Juanita Rash, Tol,. 11 and 12: Amira Tate, SC. 13 and 14: Maricella Cocom, Cayo. 15 + older: Virginia Cus, Tol. 60 + older: Leonie Cain, Cayo, Golden Kings and Queens

Best individual players:

8 and under: 1^st Place: Jovel Chaic, SC. 2^nd Place: Zyrian Juarez, Czl, 3^rd Place: Nigel Romero, Tol. 4^th Place: Gabriel Cocom . 5^th Place: Zahira Chun, SC. 6^th Place: Akeem Roches, Bze.

9 and 10 yrs: 1^st Place: Lloyd Augustine, SC. 2^nd Place: Jerome Sho, SC. 3^rd Place: Jeremy Chiang, Cayo. 4^th Place: Ivan Pixabaj, SC. 5^th Place: Kiederre Loria, Czl. 6^th Place: Juanita Rash, Tol.

11 and 12 yrs: 1^st Place: Luis Acosta, Bze. 2^nd Place Dwayne Rodriguez, Bze. 3^rd Place: Estevan Coy, Tol. 4^th Place: Simon Lotiff, Cayo, 5^th Place: Dolores Sho, Sc. 6^th Place: Brent Coombs, Cayo

13 and 14 yrs:1st Place: Akeem Jenkins, Cayo. 2nd Place: Kris Sanchez, SC. 3rd Place: Ivor Pixabaj, SC. 4th Place: Luis Tut, SC. 5th Place: Alfred Awe, SC,6th Place: Rick Pascascio, SC

15 and over: 1st Place: Javier Lisbey, SC. 2nd Place: Fitzroy Chan, SC. 3rd Place: Hilberto Choc, Tol. 4th Place: Virginia Cus, Tol. 5th Place: Albert Cus, Tol. 6th Place: Michael Pollard, Bze.

60 and over: 1st Place: Charles Williams, Cayo; 2nd Place: Ross Blumentrit, Cayo;3rd Place: Judy Williams, Cayo; a tie for 4th Place: Ms.Leonie Cain, Cayo; Ms. Felicita Finney, Cayo; Ms. Pat Robinson, Cayo; Mr. Lionel Kissling, Cayo

From 5 to 85 Years Young.

This year’s Olympiad 2010, not only drew their highest attendance with just over 400 persons attending the Tournament, but also provided the most diverse group of players to date. This year, the team of the “Golden Kings and Queens” made their debut at the Olympiad. Although there were many other new teams and some were at the tournament for their first time as well, this team was special; made up of grandparents and great grandparents. This new team was drawn to the chess world in order to work with the children as mentors to the younger generation.. but what they found is that the children wanted to spend just as much time with them.

At one point of the tournament, spectators saw the Golden Kings and Queens playing through a round surrounded by dozens of young children who were all offering their assistance and help to the senior players. Ian Anderson, national chairman of BNYCF stated, “to see these senior players surrounded by 5 and 6 year olds, chatting with and helping each other.. this is what life is suppose to be all about… a meeting of the generations.. a sharing of emotions. I know this will have an everlasting effect on both generations. I am most proud of these eight ladies and gentleman who have braved this new world of chess and children”. The eight members of the Golden Kings and Queens are: Mr. Lionel Kissling, Lady Leonie Cain, Mr. Charles Williams, Ms. Judy Williams, Ms. Pat Robinson, Ms. Felicita Finney, Mr. Ross Blumentrit and Mr. Raul Ramirez.

Mr. Lionel Kissling from Belmopan at 85 years young and Zhair Lizama from Belize city at 5 years old are seen here hand in hand during the awards ceremony with Chess King Arnold and Queen Stacia.

As usual, we also have a lot of other awards: for best efforts, for best sportsmanship, for the longest games and for the best puzzles solving.

Best Sportsmanship

8 and under -Ariola Cucul , Toledo

9 and 10- Danitza Jimenez, Orange Walk

11 and 12 -Tatiana Henderson, Cayo

13 and 14- Kokil Gomez, Belize

15 and over -Gavino Ishim, Toledo

60 and older - Judy Williams, Charlie Williams, Ross Blumentrit

Best Effort 8 and under -Gesselle Coc, Belize 9 and 10 -Xena Tzul, Corozal 11 and 12 -Rebecca Bradley 13 and 14 -Brian Escalante, Belize 15 and older -Elida frutos, Cayo 60 and older -Pat Robinso, and Leonie Cain

Longest Games 8 and under -Brenda Lee (Belize) and Jovel Chiac, Stann Creek 9 and 10-Brandon Usher (Belize) and Winston Wu (Cayo) 11 and 12 -Vanessa Cucul (Toledo) and Brent Coombs (Cayo) 13 and 14-Coleen Tate (StCr) and Macheavor Choc (toledo) 15 and older -Youngin Gomez (Belize) and Virginia Cus (toledo) 60 and older -Fely Finney and Lionel Kisling
Best visuals/banners-Toledo district
Best presentation at the opening ceremony- Stann Creek district
Special Award from Governor General to the Highest rated young player: Gabriel Cocom

Royal Guests join the Chess Olympiad 2010This years Chess Olympiad 2010 came into its own with over 400 attendees including almost 200 participants. Dancing in the aisles brings a new meaning as the opening ceremonies that included the Julio Garcia Stiltwalkers from Arenal Village, Victoria Gongora and the Ecumenical Band and Majorettes from Dangriga, Ms. Margaret Castillo and the Garifuna Drummers and Dancers from Dangriga along with the Kings own guard lining the Gauntlet.

Royal Guests join the Chess Olympiad 2010

The first guests to enter the Olympiad Hall, escorted by King Arnold and his Queen Stacia were the Governor General Sir Colville Young; Honorable Simean Lopez, Mayor of Belmopan; His Excellency, Honorable Luis Manuel Lopez, Ambassador of Mexico; His Excellency, Honorable Vinai Thummalapally , Ambassador of the United States of America; His Excellency, Honorable Edgar Garcia, Ambassador of Costa Rica; His Excellency, Honorable Roberto Coutinho, Ambassador of Brazil; Mr. John Carr, Director of Banana Bank Lodge, a life sponsor of BNYCF, Mrs. Shelly Usher, Director of Builders Hardware, Belmopan, supporter of BNYCF and one of the sponsors of Olympiad 2010.

Of course its all about the kids and these Royal Dignitaries certainly made the opening ceremonies complete with their support and love for the children that they welcomed to the stage, one at a time, one by one. Seeing the serious yet spellbound expression on both the children’s faces and those of the Ambassadors and Governor General made everyone’s heart just melt away. Sir Colville Young presented the children with an antidotal story on chess then officially called the Tournament to order.

BNYCF would like to thank the Governor General and the attending Ambassadors and businesspersons for their support to the BNYCF by making the event considerably more important to the children by their presence.

Chess Personalities of the Year, 2010

Although there are always a core group of people who push forward and make all organizations initially start up, the continued success of any program would not be possible without full support from Volunteers who cherish their responsibilities and take ownership in everything they do. Many of these volunteers not only invest their own time, but also the time that would normally be spent with their own families alone and expend finances that many can not afford to expense, but do anyways.This year we honor many of those volunteer who have excelled in their volunteer work with the Belize National Youth Chess Foundation .. we honor and thank them for their unselfish efforts to support the children of

Belize

, to providing our children with tools in learning that will help them throughout their entire lives; most of whom are not even their own children.

This year we honor many of those volunteer who have excelled in their volunteer work with the Belize National Youth Chess Foundation .. we honor and thank them for their unselfish efforts to support the children of

Belize

, to providing our children with tools in learning that will help them throughout their entire lives; most of whom are not even their own children. From Stann Creek: Mr. Brian Chun, Mr. Pedro Pixabaj, Mr. Francis Humphreys, Mr. Modesto Chun, Mrs. Rosanna Chun, Mrs. Debbie Chun, Mr. Alfred AweMs. Colleen Tate. From Toledo: Mr. Jose Teul, Mr. Policarpo Cus, Mr. Adinaldo Requena, Ms.Juanita Edwards, Ms. Aurora Coc, Ms. Gloria Coc, Ms. Desiderius Bol, Mr. Javier Coy, Ms. Daine Teul. From Corozal: Mr. Humberto Juarez, Ms. Rosana Ake, Mr. Raymur Ake, Mr.Gilberto Perez, Mr. Angel Mejia. From Orange Walk: Mr. Coy Thompson, Mr. Arnaldo Perez, Ms. Melissa Thompson. From Belize: Mr. David Martinez, Ms. Valerie Rodriguez, Ms. Lucretia Tillet, Ms.Debbie Burns, Ms. Tania Mahler, Mr Santos, Ms, Gloricella Torrez, Ms.Anelie May. From Cayo West: Mr. David Coombs, Ms. Tania Obando, Ms. Margaret Lotiff, Mr. Rene Mai, Mr. Jaime Sanchez, Mr. Jacque Jones. From Cayo East: Mr. Lionel Kissing, Mr. America Waight, Ms. Anita Azueta, Richard and Heitha Bean, Mr. Ricardo Bailey, Mr. Gabriel Baron, Mr. Edgar Martinez, Mr. Darrel Smith, Mr. Carlos Cocom

A VERY Special Thanks and Expression of Gratitude to Edgar Martinez and Darrel Smith of Armenia village who helped to run the tournaments and camps in all the districts, throughout the entire country during this past year. If there was an event they missed, we couldn’t identify it !!

The whole day was full of excitments not only for chess players but for the spectators as well:

puzzles solving

It was fun to be in the tournament hall as well as outside:

You could get even great face paintings:

We hope to see you all at the next Belize Chess Olympiad in April 2011.

And now you have a chance to see the very beginning of the event- big surprise to all the participants- International Chess Grand Master Maurice Ashley addressed the players at the very beginning of the event. From his last visits he knows a lot of our players and coaches, and even he has a very busy schedule in New York, he still finds time to keep an eye on the progress of our program.

First time in BELIZE: Blind Fold Chess Tournament

2009-09-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

Sept 26th, 2009 : 12 courageous chess players met for the exceptionally difficult tournament "Battle of the MINDS!".

All players played 3 rounds blindfold, which means that they were not allowed to look at the board while making their moves.

They had to visualize the board and keep track of the always changing positions after each move.Players were calling out their moves and the Tournament Director was recording them on the notation paper and made those moves on the board, so that he could keep track of the game.
Players played round-robin in Quads format. Each Tournament director was assigned to monitor one board at a time.

The final winners from each of the quads are: Alfred Awe, Jamir Sanchez and Joshua Chiang.

Below are the names of the participants:

Stann Creek players: Gilbert Parham, Fitzroy Chan, Kris Sanchez,Rick Pascasio, Alfred Awe

West Cayo Players: Clifford Coleman, Jamir Sanchez

East Cayo:Akeem Jenkins, Joshua and Jeremy Chiang( he was the youngest player of the day- 8 years old!), Carlos Cocom and Richard Beane.

We started teaching kids to play blindfold during the summer camp, but we could not anticipate such remarkable results. Those players continued practicing at home with their coaches or parents.....and the most impressive thing happened, even the young players 8-9 years old were able to hold games for 28-30 moves! Believe me, you will want to witness such a battle of minds! You will have a chance to see one of the kids to play blindfold against and adult on the day of the Chess Symposium, Oct 10th, so do not miss your chance, register for the event at belizechess@cavesbranch.com

Special Thanks to the Tournament directors of the day : Brian Chun, Carlos Cocom Sr, Richard Beane Sr, Gabriel Baron, David Coombs and Ella Anderson.

First International Chess Cultural Event

2009-05-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

1st Annual Mexico/Belize Goodwill Chess Tournament
The idea of the tournament was not simply to hold an international chess tournament, but to build goodwill between Belize and Mexican chess communities and to create respect and lasting friendships between the young chess players of both countries. The Mexican Team arrived on the 12th of June and spent their first night bonding with the Belizean team at Caves Branch Jungle Lodge. That night all the players were playing ball, swimming, making friendship bracelets and socializing with each other, there was no chess.
Coach from Corozal shows local orchids and plants in the botanical garden at Caves Branch to the Mexican team.

The following day, Saturday, all 23 players, their coaches and chaperons proceeded to the Mexican Embassy in Belmopan for the actual Tournament, hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Lopez Marino and co sponsored by the Mexican Embassy and the BNYCF.

Tournament in progress: 5 rounds, game 25.

The best thing for us, coaches, is to see that our students show sportsmanship skills and know how to win, but MORE importantly, they know how to lose with dignity. Alfred Awe from Stann Creek lost a difficult game to his Mexican opponent, but you still can see him smiling as they shake hands.

Between the rounds you could see the Mexican coaches working hand in hand with our Belizean coaches on analyzing the games and helping players from both teams to improve their games.

Mexican players enjoyed very much all the puzzles and art activities between the rounds: making chess pieces out of clay
During the award ceremony Jouharra Jou from Orange Walk, captain of the Belizean team exchanged letters and drawing that the teams made for each other
Mexican Team at the Award Ceremony: Although all players from both teams played to the very last game of the five rounds, it was The Mexican Team that won the tournament. CONGRATULATIONS !
As is taught to all chess players in Belize, there are “winners and learners” and all the Belizean players certainly admitted to learning a great deal from the tournament and from the Mexican players who all proved to not only being top players but wonderful sportsman as well.
Belizean Team:

And both teams together wearing T-shirts that were presented to all the participants by the Mexican Embassy

After the tournament the Mexican Ambassador and his wife joined us for the cultural night, during which each team made a number of presentations of their cultures. Among the presentations there were skits, drumming, slide show, puppet show and special tastings of the local foods that Belizean team prepared to share with each participant.

The Mexican team responded with similar presentations and presented gifts to all the participants.

The culminating activity was going on the adventure trip into the caves to prove one more time that the real chess players must have not only good chess skills, but the stamina and energy and the adventure spirit.
Near the end of the trip, to the surprise of the Mexican team, they were challenged for one more game of chess deep inside the cave !
Real chess players can enjoy the game anywhere, including the caves!

A special thank you to Ambassador and Mrs. Lopez Marino for their hospitality at the Mexican Embassy and to the Caves Branch Jungle Lodge for providing all the accommodations, meals and hospitality to all the members of both teams for the three days.
And finally the buses took all the players back home. We made new friiends and looking forward to the next year event!

Below you can see the names of hte players on our National TEAM 2009!
Cayo:
Joshua Chiang
Richard Beane
Brent Coombs
Clifford Coleman
Jamir Sanchez( alternate)
Akeem Jenkins( alternate)
Stann Creek:
Alfred Awe
Fitzroy Chan
Kris Sanchez
Corozal:
Nayir Marin
Coleen Tate
Marco Liu
Toledo:
Silvano Pau
Orange Walk:
Jouharra Jou, Team Captain
Support group: Maricella and Carlos Cocom
Coaches: Jose Teul , Brian Chun, David Coombs, Humberto Juarez

Chess Olympiad 2009

2009-04-26T16:37:00.000-07:00

Chess Olympiad 2009- First Rated Chess Event in Belize

Congratulations to all the participants and their coaches and countless number of volunteers who made this event such a success!

Olympiad is over and we are looking now towards next year event. At the Olympiad there were 120 players present, from all the districts of Belize: 100 players who competed and 20 kids who were alternates and therefore were there to support their teammates. All the players including alternates were rated players, who received their first rating at the district tournaments this year. Rating is an internationally accepted system of estimate of the strength of the player, based on his performance versus other players. As the result of the Olympiad, we are ready to announce the highest rated players in Belize:

8 and Younger: Gabriel Cocom, Cayo

9 and 10 years old: Joshua Chiang, Cayo

11 and 12 years old: Nayir Marin, Corozal

13 and 14 years old: Alfred Awe, Stann Creek

15 and older: Wayne Huang, Cayo

The youngest player at the Olympiad was Gabriel Cocom, only 6 years old, and the oldest was 18 year old and all players regardless of their age showed skill and ability to concentrate while making decisions on the best course of action in the game.

In the spirit of the BNCYF events, there was a medieval castle in place, and his Majesty King Arnold and Her Majesty Chess Queen Evita present. Upon entering the Tournament Hall, all the team captains were greeted by the Royal Chess Dignitaries: Honorable Simeon Lopez, Mayor of Belmopan, Deborah Sewell, GM At BNE Charitable Trust, Luis Manuel Lopez, Ambassador of Mexico to Belize, Honorable Ramon Witz, South Cayo Area Representative.

This was the first in Belize official rated tournament. The tournament rules and the rating system was approved by BNYCF as well by Belize Chess Federation and was implemented at all the district tournaments within last few month, where the selection of the players was made.

All the district tournament had a purpose of learning experience of playing according to the tournament rules, proper use of chess clocks and notation( writing down moves of the game). At the Olympiad all players 11 years and older were required to notate 2 rounds. Notation is extremely important skill for the development of the chess players: ability to notate makes them chess literate and therefore gives them access to the games of the famous chess players for studying, as well as analyzing their own games and learning from their mistakes.

Below you will see the pictures from the tournament and we hope that you will get an idea that it was not only about winning- it was about creativity, pride in their own team, sportsmanship and of course fun! Enjoy the pictures and we hope to see you at other chess events!

This was the most feared team -from Stann Creek- they entered the Hall proudly carrying the Traveling Trophy from last year:

We wish you could see the performance of Stann Creek: not only exceptional banners, but also masks and their own selection of music for the entry.
As a coach, I have to be honest with you, I believe that Stann Creek sets up new standards every year with their creativity and chess skills.They were truly Knightmares of all the coaches. We all were so impressed last year by their performance, that we all worked extra hard in an attempt to be able to match their level. Stann Creek leads us again to the new levels of creativity.

Toledo's visual aids were used as part of decorations of the olympiad hall, and their banners were matching the skills of stann creek players:

Another amazing quality banner carried by the most accomplished HS chess Player: Wayne Huang
Alternates proudly entered the hall together with their teams:
Best Visual Aids at District events Award

Toledo Chess Association
Best Team Presentation Award
Stann Creek Chess Association

Sportsmanship AWARD

Section 8 and under: Miki Yanai, Royal Infantry Team, Belize district
Section 9&10 years old: Carissa Sabido, Royal Advisors, Belize
Section 11&12 years old:Rajel Villafranco, Princess Pawns, Stann Creek
Section 13&14 years old: Luis Tut, U-Knighted, Stann Creek
Section 15 and over: Ian Avilez, Supreme Pawns, Stann Creek

The Longest Game Award

Section 8 and under: Youngmin Gomez, Belize vs Christopher Perez, Corozal, 44 mins game!
Section 9&10 years old: Richard Beane, Cayo vs Irene Perez, CorozalSection 11&12 years old:Leyma Coc, Toledo vs Shelmadine Pop, Stann Creek, 55 mins game
Section 13&14 years old: Adrian McLaughin, Belize vs Lucienne Bacab, Cayo, 53 min game
Section 15 and over: Glenford Pop, Cayou vs Jose Tobar, Belize, 58 mins game

Overall Winning Teams

First Place: Knights of Cayo, 17.5 points. Players from Bishop Martin and GPC( George Price Center)
Second Place: Bishops of Cayo, 15.5 points,players from St. Barnabas and Bishop Martin schools
Third Place: Supereme Pawns, Players from Stann Creek Ecumenical HS

Traveling Trophy for the 1st place Team went to Knights of Cayo:
Individual Awards
8 and under:

1st place: Jeremy Chiang, Bishops of Cayo, GPC
2nd place: Gabriel Cocom, Knights of Cayo, GPC
3rd place: Jovel Chiac, Blazing Bishops, Maya Mopan, Stann Creek
4th place: Kiederre Loria, Chess Vipers, San Narciso, Corozal
5th place: Jaheed Palacio, Rooks of Cayo, GPC
6thplace: Damian Andrews, U-Knighted, Solid Rook, Stann Creek

9 and 10 years old:

1st place: Joshua Chiang, Knights of Cayo, GPC
2nd place: Ricahrd Beane, Bishops of Cayo, GPC
3rd place: Brent Coombs, Bishops of Cayo, Bishop Martin
4th place: Ivan Pixabaj, Blazing Bishops, Silk Grass, Stann Creek
5th place: Juan Coy, Knights of South Toledo, Crique Sarco
6thplace: Lloyd Augustine, U-Knighted, Sacred Heart, Stann Creek

11 and 12 years old:

1st place: Nayir Marin, Chess Vipers, San Narciso, Corozal
2nd place: Silvano Pau, Knights of South Toledo, Little Flower School
3rd place: Kris Sanchez, Knightmares, Holy Angels, Stann Creek
4th place: MArco Lui, Checkmaters, St Francis Xavier, Corozal
5th place: Jamir Sanchez, Knights of Cayo, Bishop Martin
6thplace: Cezar Gonzales, Rooks of Cayo, St Barnabas

13 and 14 years old:

1st place: Alfred Awe, Supreme Pawns, Ecumenical HS, Stann Creek
2nd place: Fitzroy Chan, Knightmares, Holy Angels, Stann Creek
3rd place: Jouharra Jou, Muffles College, Orange Walk
4th place: Clifford Coleman, Rooks of Cayo, Ontario
5th place: Akeem Jenkins, Knights of Cayo, GPC
6thplace: Gilbert Parham, Knightmares, Holy Angels, Stann Creek

15 years and older:

1st place: Wayne Huang, Crazy Chess Club, BCS, Cayo
2nd place: Triston, Guzman, Supreme Pawns, Ecumenical HS, Stann Creek
3rd place: Huei-Neng He, Crazy Chess Club, BCS, Cayo
4th place: Ian Avilez, Supreme Pawns, Ecumenical HS, Stann Creek
5th place: Juan Vernon, Royal Elephants, Youth for Peace club, Belize
6thplace: Nicasio Sam, Knights of South Toledo, Indian Creek, Toledo

Best Female Players

Section 8 and under: Miki Yanai, Royal Infantry Team, Belize district
Section 9&10 years old: Kennia Francisco, Princess Pawns, Stann Creek
Section 11&12 years old:Carisa Thomas, Corozal Chess Stars, Corozal
Section 13&14 years old: Jouharra Joy, Muffles College, Orange Walk
Section 15 and over: Teresita Pau, Toledo Supareem Queens, Toledo

First BNYCF certified Chess Coaches:

David Martinez, Belize District
Brian Chun, Stann Creek
Jose Teul, Toledo
David Coombs, Cayo

In order to become certified coaches they had to attend series of training sessions, as well as pass practical and theory chess examination and to demonstrate their ability to not only know chess rules, but ability to convey that knowledge to others.

Chess Personalities of the Year Awards:
Toledo:
Adinaldo Requena
Rudolfo Shal
Stann Creek:
Debbie Chun
Brian Chun
Corozal:
Humberto Sanchez
Reymur Ake
Cayo:
Anita Azueta
Carlos Lotiff
Belize:
Mrs. May
David Martinez

Chess Principal of the Year Award

Toledo:
Evagrio Bol, San Vicente School
Stann Creek:
Francis Humphreys, Ecumenical High School
Corozal:
Gilberto Perez, San Narciso School
Cayo:
Joyce Shaw, St Barnabas Anglican
Belize:
Mrs Torrez, St Joseph SchoolThe pictures below will make you a believer of chess as an educational and motivational tool: see the concentration on the faces of all the players, thinking about their moves. Ability to concentrate at one particular task and not get distracted until they finish the game, is definitely something that all of us, educators, want to develop in our childred. Chess does it!

Seeing this girl, Betty Bul from Toledo, who had experience last year to play US women Champion Jennifer Shahade at the simul, reminded me of the conversation that Jennifer had with the girls at the summer camp. She said that when she was young and just started competing, she was not doing too well at the tournaments, until she found the way not only to try her best at playing, but also enjoying it, having fun after the tournaments were over. Jennifer told the girls that she believes that enjoying being at the tournaments, and have fun after the games are over is very important. Well learned lesson, see for yourself:

Art section was very popular as well as the puzzles section

Cayo team :

Skittles area or practice area, where Richard Beane and other coaches were providing mini lessons between the games. Of course those coaches were hoping that their teams would win the tournament, but it didn't stop them from doing an excellent job as Skittles area directors- they worked on improving skills of players from all teams.

Play offs for the 1st place in the 13&14 years old section:

First Chess Olympiad: May 3, 2008

2008-05-13T11:07:00.001-07:00

As the doors swung open wide, the Great Medieval Hall presented itself to the children, including a 36 foot wide by 14 foot high castle front, 8 foot chess banners and colorful flags strewn around the Hall. As each team entered the great hall they were presented with their own colorful 8 foot high team banner to carry out in front of each team as they marched down the centre isle to the marching sounds of “We Will Rock You” by the band ‘Queen’ and escorted by fully dressed knights...... to present themselves to the King and Queen of the Belize Chess Kingdom who in turn presented each player with a chess medallion as a welcome gift to the competition. For over 20 minutes, the applauding of the spectators, music and drumming continued as each team, one after another, entered the Great Hall.

OF course, the participants had no idea what it takes to create an event like this, but their joy, their excitement made all those efforts worth for us. So who are the people who made it happen?

The Chess Olympiad itself took over 700 man hours of volunteer service to prepare and run the event. But its volunteers like the entire staff of the Caves Branch Jungle Lodge who spent two months preparing for the event, community volunteers who assisted in the set up and running of the event, local business persons who donated products for the event, BDF who provided tents and chairs, the list is endless of the total number of people who assisted in the success of the event. See below our accounting, marketing, reservations staff working on creating outfits,

..guides, using their climbing skills to hang the banners...
and make it look like this:

Pleasant surprise: Kids were excited to see Minister Marin attending the event and accepting a challenge from Corozal team to play one of their students.

Participants:
Interest in participation was so high from all the districts that we had to limit each school to bring only 4 kids per team. As the result we had 36 teams from all over the country, total 144 primary students competing in this first BELIZE CHESS OLYMPIAD.

10 teams from Toledo

9 teams from Stann Creek

7 teams from Corozal + 1 kid from Orange Walk

5 teams from Cayo

3 teams from Belize City

1 Girls only team: players from Cayo and Toledo

As you can imagine this event was made possbile by the combined effort of all the volunteers, coaches, BDF, students. To show you how truly nation wide those efforts were, take a look at the Tournament Directors List:
Sgt Artemio Sho, Col Omar Pulido – BDF
Bruno Kuppinger, Michael Manley - Toledo
Emil Arguelles, Carlo Arguelles- Belize
Adilson Rosales, Waine Huang – Cayo
Arturo and Emil Montero- Stann Creek

Puzzle Directors: Debbie Chun, Stann Creek and Melonie Eck, Cayo
Computer Tournament Directors: Gabriel Baron : HS student, BCA and Frank Tu: UB college Student
Building, installation, supporting team: Entire Caves Branch Staff
UB Volunteers: Abel Henriquez, Steven Sho, Myra Verde, Sandino Mendoza, Ariadne Pech. Yahayra Coba
Business Support: Cardinals Belmopan, Belize Mills, Brodies, Bowen & Bowen, Evan Casey, Toucan Industries, Old Belize, BDF, Wood Depot Belmpan, Abe Dyck, Caribbean Chicken and UB.
Financial Supporters: Ms. Steffi Lupp, Providence Bank, Caves Branch Jungle lodge staff donations.

Final Results

Puzzles

Overall 1^st place: Alfred Awe from St. Matthews team, Stann Creek
Overall 2^nd place: Darwin Ramos, Fantastic Four team from George Price Center, Cayo
Overall 3^rd place: Edwardo Chen, Hope Creek team, Stann Creek

Sportsmanship

Section 10 and under: Alyssa Wong, St. Joseph, Belize, Coach: David Martinez

Section 11: Akeem Jenkins, United Evergreen, Cayo, Coach: Ella Anderson

Section 12: Vidal Adolphus, St. Barnabas Anglican, Cayo, Coach: David Coombs
Section 13 and older: Gilbert Parham, Holy Angels, Stann Creek, Coaches: Cornelius Caetano and Brian Chun

Three Overall winning teams and their coaches

1^st place team was shared between 2 teams: Indian Creek, Toledo , Coach: Benjamin Tuario and Holy Angels, Stann Creek, Coach: Cornelius Cayetano and Brian Chun 2^nd place team: Salvation Army,

Belize

, Coach: David Martinez
3^rd place team: St. Francis Xavier R.C, Coach Virgilio Ruiz

Best Female players

Section 10 and under: Ashley Jeffries, Christ the King, Stann Creek

Section 11: Gabriela Ugarte, St. Francis Xavier, Corozal

Section 12: Betty Bull, played for Super Queens Team( combines Cayo and Toledo), Toledo

Section 13 and older: Colleen Tate, Sacred Heart, Stann Creek

Individual winners

10 and under:

1^st place: Luis Acosta, Salvation Army, Belize

2^nd place: Sahjir Pech, Corozal Knights, Corozal

3^rd place: Dominic O’Brian, St. Barnabas Anglican, Cayo

11:

1^st place: Kris Sanchez, Holy Angels, Stann Creek
2^nd place: Jamil Coleman, Little Flower, Toledo
3^rd place: Deraun Hererra, Christ the King Anglican, Stann Creek

12:

1^st place: Ishim Gavino, San Francisco de Geronimo, Toledo
2^nd place: Manuel Choc, Inidan Creek, Toledo
3^rd place: Betty Bull, played for Super Queens team (combined girls from Toledo and Cayo), San Francisco de Geronomo Team, Toledo

13 and older:

1^st place: Rick Pascascio, Holy Angels, Stann Creek
2^nd place: Benedicto Coc, played for Corozal Knights Team, but he is from San Francisco de Geronimo, Toledo
3^rd place: Colleen Tate, Sacred Heart, Stann Creek

Awards

For kids: Prizes included medals, trophies and invitations to Sibun Chess Camp, Aug 1-5th, for all individual winners and 4 winning teams and their coaches.

For coaches: complimentary stay and adventure trips at Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, books by Josh Waitzkin "The Art of Learning" and "Attacking Chess", as well as Medals and certificates that were presented to each coach by King Arnold during the Knighting Ceremony.

Recognition is always so important, not only with the children, but also how to recognize adults in an all children organization, in a way that will be meaningful to the adults as well as understood by the children. So with the theme of the day being medieval chess, all the coaches were called up to the stage centre and King Arnold, with the coaches on one knee and a sword in hand, tapped them on the shoulder, “Knighted” all the coaches. With a “gold guilded” Knights medal and a certificate with the Kings signature, all 42 coaches were now “SIR” Chess Coach.

These coaches of the attending teams are: David Martinez, Ariadne Pech, David Coombs, Ricardo Bailey, Frank Tu, Richard Beane, Raymur Ake, Gilberto Perez, Rosana Ake, Nelvio Ek, Virgilio Ruiz, Yadira Montejo, Yahayra Coba, Albert Nunez, Cornelius Cayetano, Brian Chun, Kelvin Baizer, Mikhail Cabral, Kimberly Thompson, Lenox Flores, Micah Williams, Mr. Mariano, Todd Murdock, Roberto Coc, Ericka Jang, Benjamin Tuario, Desiderius Bol, Domingo Salam, Elra Alvarez, Artemon Sho, Gilberto Pop, Jose Teul, Liz Ferris, Carmelo Perez, Rob Magee, Rigoberto Choco, Rodolfo Shal

Stann Creek and Toledo districts are leading the way in teams and youth players due to the local district chess association started by volunteers in Stann Creek and in Toledo by the involvement of the BDF and Jose Teul, former Sports Council Coordinator. Belize, Cayo and Corozal had good participation and seeing the enthusiasm of their chess coaches during the tournament, its only a matter of time before those districts catch up to Toledo and Stann Creek.

Reflection on the event

Our objectives for the Chess Olympiad were met:

- to provide the opportunity for the primary school students to meet players from all districts and realize that they are now part of the truly National “Chess Family”

- bring more public awareness to the fact that chess is an excellent motivational tool that helps to engage children in meaningful and intellectually stimulating activity that provides them with skills that will make them better students, socially and academically

- acknowledge and reward school teachers and community members who volunteer their time to learn the game, organize and run the after school clubs

- give recognition to the district sports coordinators who actively embraced chess as one of the sports activities

- provide opportunities for coaches from remote villages of the country to meet other coaches and learn from each other

- encourage all the participating volunteers to continue their work through the remainder of the school year and through the summer and get the kids off the streets!

What the coaches think.....

“This was a tremendous experience for all of us. We teach the children that if you don’t win a game, you are not a loser, but you learn and would hope that in all aspects and all walks of life we would be taught that way.”

What the spectators think.....

I was also very impressed with how ALL the kids acted when I was there. It is very evident that chess does instill values in the players.

What the kids think...

1) what was the most exciting part of the event for you?

The award ceremony was the best part because we got to see the best chess players and got to see amazing awards.

The most exciting part for me was the challenges that I faced during the Olympiad.

My most exciting part in the event was playing new players and taking part in the Belize first chess Olympiad.

The most exciting part of the event form is meet other people and play different people.

I really enjoyed having our Team Name be announced in front of the audience. Also me and my team walking down the great hall and meeting the “King” and the “Queen”. I really like these things besides of course playing CHESS!!!!

2) How do you feel when you win a chess game?

I feel relaxed and like a champion. I feel good in a way that I am the best.

I felt like a champion with a crown, a throne, a cape, a kingdom. I felt like King for that game.

3) How do you feel when you lose a game?

I feel sad, but I learn from my mistakes.

I still feel good because at least I tired to win plus I faced a worthy opponent. I feel revived , and I know that even though I lost this one, I might win the next one.

I feel sad, like I just lost $5,000,000.00

I felt like a loser, a poor person who picked wrong choices for that game.

I would not say it’s my favorite feeling in the world but I learn something new every time I lose and every time I win.