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The first camp of Summer 2009 was a great success!

Our first camp (June 22-June 26) was a great success. The children engaged in chess related activity all day without growing tired. 100% chess was 100% fun! We still have some space available for more campers this summer. We will also be scheduling a winter camp.

 



05/12/2009

Chess Camps for Summer 2009 (Updated 5-12-09)

Summer 2009 Panda Chess Academy Summer Camps


Dates:

  • June 22 -June 26: Full! 
  • July 6-10: 7 spots available!
  • July 20-24: 9 Spots Available!
  • August 3-7:
  • August 10-14: 5 spots available


Times:

Full day session: 9:00am-3:45pm

Morning session: 9:00am-11:45am

Drop-off: 8:30am-9:00am

Pickup: 3:45pm-4:00pm (11:45am-12:00pm for morning session)



Where:


Panda Chess Academy

9900 Westpark #106

Houston, TX 77063


http://www.chesspanda.com


Who should attend?


-Experienced tournament players

-Those who have had some chess instruction


-Players who wish to be challenged


About the camp:


-Full day camp: This is perfect for the more advanced or older students. There will be a LOT of chess instruction and chess playing during the day and this might be too much chess for the younger players.

-Half day camp: These camps are perfect for younger campers and those who are newer to chess.

-Very small class sizes: We aim to have a 6 to 1 student-teacher ratio or less to ensure quality education and attention.


-The camps are instructed by full time professional chess coaches.


-Assistant on staff: An assistant with child-care experience will be on staff at all times for your child's needs.


-Because the camp is held at a full time chess academy, the environment is designed specifically for chess. Chess sets, clocks, notation sheets and pencils will be provided. Several "child-proof" computers with chess software are available.


-The student will have many opportunities to play training games. Notation of games is required so the instructors can give detailed feedback for individual improvement.


-Chess Academy: The Panda Chess Academy is a full time chess academy located in a modern indoor office building shared with many respectable corporations. The academy consists of 3 spacious rooms that are cleaned by professional custodians daily. Restrooms and water fountains are on site.

-Behavior: Campers are expected to show good behavior and perfect sportsmanship. No disrespect for other campers will be tolerated.


Lecture Topics:

Please note that all chess camps will have a different curriculum so repeat campers will always be challenged.


Calculation/Tactical Problem Solving


Formulation of plans and strategies


Endgames with only a few pieces on the board


Endgames with many pieces on the board


Assessing a chess position: Who is really winning and why?


Opening play and how it effects the middle-game


Learning from your own games. Erasing bad habits and learning from your opponent's strong moves


Learning from famous games


How to play your best in every game


How to use Chessbase, Fritz, and other professional training software to improve


Other Activities:


Calculation training, puzzle solving, tournament games, training games from specific endgames and middlegames, guessing the move in famous games, and more.


Snacks and Lunch:


Healthy snacks and drinks will be provided. Students are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks as well. Students must bring their own lunch.


We ask that students do not bring any nut-based foods due to allergies.


How to Register and Price:


Please remember that the camps are limited in size. Once the camp is full, no exceptions can be made for anyone. Players will be admitted on a first come first serve basis.


Morning Session Only: $225 if mailed in by May 15, 2009

and $295 after.

Full Day: $345 if mailed in by May 31, 2009 and $395 after.


Sibling Discount: $50 off for siblings. One child pays the full amount and each additional sibling receives a $50 discount.



Please fill out the online registration form , and mail the check to:


Jeffrey Ashton

3139 W. Holcombe #362

Houston, TX 77025


Please make checks payable to Jeffrey Ashton.


If you have any questions, please e-mail jeff@chesspanda.com.

For updates and pictures from previous camps, please visit: www.chesspanda.com

05/09/2009

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04/28/2009

St. Vincent de Paul Chess Club

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Friday Night

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Friday Night Tournament

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Friday night tournament picture

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04/22/2009

New Chess Life article about camps!

Dr. Alexey Root just wrote an article for Chess Life about chess camps. She mentions the Panda Chess Academy summer camps in the article!

Dr. Alexey Root has published several books on chess and education. She is a Woman's International Master and a world re-known educator. Her kind words are greatly appreciated!

"Look for an instructor to camper ratio from 1:10 to 1:16. Of course, a low instructor-to-camper ratio comes with a price. The best chess camps will have lower ratios and more highly trained instructors than a daycare, so will likely cost more than daycare too."

I am proud to say that the Panda Chess Academy camps offer a ratio of 1:6 or less!

To read the whole article, please visit: http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9319/141/

Dr. Alexey Root's newest book is: Read, Write, Checkmate: Enrich Literacy with Chess Activities.

-Coach Jeffrey Ashton

04/21/2009

Tournament this Friday and Summer Chess Camps

  Panda Chess Academy Newsletter
April 21, 2009



Hello everyone!

We are having our weekly Friday tournament on April 22, 2009.
Round 1 begins at 6:15pm.
Congratulations to Daniel Zou for winning our last event and getting his first 4 digit rating!
Click here for more information about our tournaments.

Camp information is now posted at www.chesspanda.com. I also included details at the bottom of this e-mail. Register early to reserve a spot as they fill up fast.

Thanks for being part of the Panda Chess Academy and I look forward to sending you more information soon.

Sincerely,
Coach Jeff
--

Summer 2009 Panda Chess Academy Summer Camps

Dates:
June 22-June 26: 3 spots are available
July 6-10
July 20-24
August 3-7

August 10-14


Times:
Full day session: 9:00am-3:45pm
Morning session: 9:00am-11:45am
Drop-off: 8:30am-9:00am
Pickup: 3:45pm-4:00pm (11:45am-12:00pm for morning session)




Where:


Panda Chess Academy
9900 Westpark #106
Houston, TX 77063


http://www.chesspanda.com


Who should attend?



-Experienced tournament players

-Those who have had some chess instruction



-Players who wish to be challenged


About the camp:


-Full day camp: This is perfect for the more advanced or older students. There will be a LOT of chess instruction and chess playing during the day and this might be too much chess for the younger players.

-Half day camp: These camps are perfect for younger campers and those who are newer to chess.

-Very small class sizes: We aim to have a 6 to 1 student-teacher ratio or less to ensure quality education and attention.



-The camps are instructed by full time professional chess coaches.


-Assistant on staff: An assistant with child-care experience will be on staff at all times for your child's needs.


-Because the camp is held at a full time chess academy, the environment is designed specifically for chess. Chess sets, clocks, notation sheets and pencils will be provided. Several "child-proof" computers with chess software are available.


-The student will have many opportunities to play training games. Notation of games is required so the instructors can give detailed feedback for individual improvement.


-Chess Academy: The Panda Chess Academy is a full time chess academy located in a modern indoor office building shared with many respectable corporations. The academy consists of 3 spacious rooms that are cleaned by professional custodians daily. Restrooms and water fountains are on site.
-Behavior: Campers are expected to show good behavior and perfect sportsmanship. No disrespect for other campers will be tolerated.



Lecture Topics:
Please note that all chess camps will have a different curriculum so repeat campers will always be challenged.



Calculation/Tactical Problem Solving


Formulation of plans and strategies


Endgames with only a few pieces on the board


Endgames with many pieces on the board


Assessing a chess position: Who is really winning and why?


Opening play and how it effects the middle-game


Learning from your own games. Erasing bad habits and learning from your opponent's strong moves


Learning from famous games


How to play your best in every game


How to use Chessbase, Fritz, and other professional training software to improve


Other Activities:


Calculation training, puzzle solving, tournament games, training games from specific endgames and middlegames, guessing the move in famous games, and more.


Snacks and Lunch:


Healthy snacks and drinks will be provided. Students are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks as well. Students must bring their own lunch.


We ask that students do not bring any nut-based foods due to allergies.


How to Register and Price:


Please remember that the camps are limited in size. Once the camp is full, no exceptions can be made for anyone. Players will be admitted on a first come first serve basis.


Morning Session Only: $225 if mailed in by May 15, 2009
and $295 after.
Full Day: $345 if mailed in by May 31, 2009 and $395 after.


Sibling Discount: $50 off for siblings. One child pays the full amount and each additional sibling receives a $50 discount.




Please fill out the online registration form , and mail the check to:


Jeffrey Ashton
3139 W. Holcombe #362
Houston, TX 77025


Please make checks payable to Jeffrey Ashton.


If you have any questions, please e-mail jeff@chesspanda.com.
For updates and pictures from previous camps, please visit: www.chesspanda.com





Please

Chess Camps for Summer 2009! (Updated 6-16-2009)

  • June 22 -June 26: Full
  • July 6-10: 3 spots available
  • July 20-24: 4 spots available
  • August 3-7: 5 spots available
  • August 10-14: 4 spots available
  • August 17-21: Kindergarten and 1st grade half day camp (please email jmlgardner@gmail.com for information)
  • If you plan to attend a chess camp, please register in advance. Camps are limited in size and they are filling up fast.
  • Discounts are available for siblings and those who are attending more than one camp this summer.
  • Click here for more information about the chess camps!

04/10/2009

We are having a tournament today and tomorrow!


Hello everyone!

We are having our regular scheduled tournament tonight at 6:15 pm and tomorrow at 8:30 am. Please visit: http://www.chesspanda.com for details. Also please e-mail me if you plan to attend. Congratulations to Amber Fusselman for winning first place at last Friday's event!

Camps:
I have set the Panda Chess Academy camp dates. I have listed them below. I will soon open up registration and send out more details. Here are a few details for now:
-All camps will have a half day or full day option
-Instructors will be Coach Jeff Ashton and Coach Justin Gardner
-Each camp will have approximately a 1 to 6 instructor to student ratio or less.

June 22-June 26 Advanced Camp: 4 spots available
July 6-10: 
July 20-24: 
August 3-7: 
August 10-14: 

Thanks for being part of the Panda Chess Academy and I look forward to sending you more information soon.

Sincerely,
Coach Jeff