Need help, QUICK!
Ewiges — Tue, 08/25/2009 - 19:43
So everyday I browse craiglist for part time jobs on the weekend or one that will work around my schedual. Today I finally hit a jackpot. An elementary school after school chess club is looking for a college student instructer to teach chess for 1-2 hours @ 10 bucks an hour. I have two days of classes that let me out early enough to apply. Since none of you live near me, heres the post: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/edu/1338897995.html
I e-mail the post with:
Hi,
I am a student at Mount San Jacinto College in Menifee with goals including transferring to CSU, San Bernardino to pursue a career in teaching. I believe this job would be a great opportunity for me and I have attached my resume in this e-mail in Microsoft Word 2007 format. Thank you for your time.
-Ryan Johnson
I also added my awesome resume which will not be posted on here for privacy reasons.
She responds to me a few hours later with:
Hello Ryan,
Thank you for your interest in our company. I was curious as to what your availability is starting September 1st. Also, could you please describe your chess experience and knowledge to me. Thank You!
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Kirstin
The area I put in bold is what I need help with. I have played chess many times through my life, but never compitively. I know most of the rules but not the fine print with stuff like ties or time. In eight grade I won an undeafeted first place at a regional math field day against 40 other eight graders, each representing their school... is this something I should mention? How much of my school should I mention? PLEASE HELP ASAP, I'd like to email her back by latest tomorrow morning.
Thanks guys.
lol
h4mm32 — Thu, 08/27/2009 - 13:31when i was playing in high school for the team i always played suicidally agressive near the center and didn't have problems winning until it came to end game when we were both down and then i had the advantage cause they were usually down on their wits when it was my plan the whole time ^_^
of course it never worked with upper level games. the best experience is playing experience i can't count how many times ive been stuck in the same position and remembered how to get out because i lost the previous time.
if you're going at the job tell them your strength is end game memorize the last steps of end game rules and make them apparent when she probably will ask to play you in a game, then it will give you time to teach openings and such after you've learned them break down the 30 steps, give yourself time and teach just ahead of what you're learning. also learn a few chess openers. my fav was always the schuler, but if people didn't have the faintest idea of how to play they'd do something stupid and you'd have to change the opener pretty quick
editz
h4mm32 — Thu, 08/27/2009 - 13:32also play someone you know is significantly better than you, I used to play against my dad every week on thurs growing up and it took me 14 years to finally beat him
I've been trying to play as
Ewiges — Thu, 08/27/2009 - 15:11I've been trying to play as many games as possible since she offered me the interview. I have also been watching youtube videos from self-claimed pro players.
So far I've been doing terrible. I have no end game, but I try to hold the middle 4 squares, hide my king, and get all peices into play.
Thank you for the 30 rules link, I'm going to try and memorize those by tonight.
i;m not bad at chess, if
Grasen — Fri, 08/28/2009 - 08:38i;m not bad at chess, if you have an online site we can play at i;'d love to give yah a game or 5 this weekend.
chess games
Vitriola — Fri, 08/28/2009 - 08:47I would be glad to do that. I usually play slow games on www.itsyourturn.com but let me know if you want a shot. :)
I'm game, gonna be a busy
Grasen — Fri, 08/28/2009 - 09:08I'm game, gonna be a busy weekend but i bet i can find some time.
cool!
Vitriola — Fri, 08/28/2009 - 11:22You have my number. Give me a call and pick a website where we can play. I am fairly flexible this weekend. :)
The Verdict: One of the first
Ewiges — Fri, 08/28/2009 - 16:57The Verdict:
One of the first things she asked me was my availability again. Apparantly she needs 1 more instructor for Mondays and Wednesday. I'm available T/T.
We then spent about 15 minutes talking about chess anyways and my experiences with children. She said she thinks I would be a great candidate for this job.
Anyways, she said if an instructor drops, or when more schools starts and they get more students than expected she'll give me a call.
Dunno, seems a bit nicer than the normal let down speaches.
the easier path
Vitriola — Fri, 08/28/2009 - 07:31Remember, that teaching chess is not the same as being a master player. After all, the best gymnastics coaches cannot do parallel bars routines. Games help but you must choose them well. Playing over the best games of the best grandmasters is definitely NOT the way to go. You need to go over tactical games. Your students need to learn to fight viciously before they can fight elegantly. The book of games I most recommend is Chernev's 1000 best short games. The best price I found is http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0671538012/ref=ed_oe_p_olp.
Next, there is a HUGE book by Polgar. This is also cheap. http://www.amazon.com/Chess-5334-Problems-Combinations-Games/dp/15791255...
This Polgar book was used to train the Polgar sisters, who are the strongest female players in history. The idea is to learn tactics so that you can avoid troubles and relentlessly punish your opponent's errors.
After they have learned their tactics, then the problem if strategic (positional) play comes up. There are a lot of ways to learn this but the way that I recommend as easiest and best is not to study middle game strategies but endgames. If you know what to aim for in a good endgame, you will see positional maneuvering. Put that together with razor sharp tactical skills and that is enough to be a good master player.
Also, it is enough for YEARS of raking in the big bucks teaching! :) GL!!
edit: You should also get Fine's book. http://www.amazon.com/Chess-Easy-Way-Reuben-Fine/dp/0346123232/ref=sr_1_... It will explain the reasons behind the 30 rules. Perhaps the greatest tournament was AVRO 1938. In it, the people that were the most likely to challenge Alekhine for the world title played for the privelege. Fine tied first place with Keres. Alekhine died before the match could take place as it was delayed by WW2. The title went to neither Fine nor Keres due to politics. Still, in preparation for that tournament, Fine decided to go over all that he knew about chess to find out where his weaknesses were. Chess the easy way was the overview of that analysis. It is unsurpassed in clarity and how very helpful it is. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Mastering chess in less than
Ewiges — Thu, 08/27/2009 - 21:14Mastering chess in less than 2 days is turning out to be a lot harder than I planned.
chess help
Vitriola — Thu, 08/27/2009 - 12:52I have played competitive chess since the 70s. I have played in international correspondence championships and once in the US open. The man that taught me is Richard Shorman. He taught some children that became the world champion for under certain age (which varied as the kid grew up). He taught by way of Ruben Fine's "chess the easy way." He made me memorize that book. In it, Fine gives 30 rules for playing chess. 10 for opening, middle, and endgames. They can be found at http://www.chessdryad.com/education/sageadvice/index.htm
My favorite anecdote of that is that, when I was just a lowly "B" player, I decided to test the 30 rules. I entered a rated tournament, and recited the rules through for each move. I played the move that followed more rules than any other without further reflection or calculation. I won the tournament easily and without a loss.
All that to say that you can use Fine's book to teach. Methods for learning, and teaching, can be found on the website above. If you want further tidbits on Richard's teaching methods, just let me know and I will be delighted to share further.
Best to you in this new endeavor!
Yes, yes you should. I don't
starstalker — Tue, 08/25/2009 - 22:03Yes, yes you should. I don't know why you wouldn't mention applicable expierence when applying for a job.
Please let me know how this
Ewiges — Tue, 08/25/2009 - 22:57Please let me know how this sounds. I get really nervous when I seem to have a hit.
Hello again,
My experiences with chess has never been competitive, only socially. I own several collectible chess sets and enjoy playing with friends every now and then. I know most of the rules and common strategies. I have always been interested in critical thinking games and I find them enjoyable. In eight grade, I earned first place out of forty students from different schools playing mancala at a math field day competition. My interests in teaching along with my dedication to learn and share information about chess makes me a great candidate for this opportunity. According to the craigslist posting, my school schedule allows me to be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Any information that could be shared about the company would be wonderful, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Ryan Johnson
perfect to me.
Ardea — Wed, 08/26/2009 - 11:42perfect to me.
Edit: Karli's advice is better...
I already sent her what I
Ewiges — Wed, 08/26/2009 - 12:46I already sent her what I posted earlier. Wish I've seen yours first karli, that sounds so awesome.
Anyways, I just got home from my morning class and she wants me to come in Friday for an interview.
So some questions. Whats the best way to email her back saying I can make it? I believe a simple yes won't do. What should I prepare besides look pretty and bring my resume. I know I should refresh on chess, but I can't find any information on the company. I traced her email and found it dealing with afterschool programs in the school district in my town but nothing specific. (school year just started and all the websites aren't updated)
All help is appreciated.
Dear Kristen, I am available
Katibug — Thu, 08/27/2009 - 11:43Dear Kristen,
I am available at (insert time she requested) and look forward to meeting with you.
Sincerely,
Ryan Johnson
Look pretty, polish up your resume and touch up on your chess skillz. Read up on strategy etc etc and possibly even buy a book or two and start reading as much as possible. Since you already told her that you're not a pro, make sure she knows that you're a fast learner and that you're willing to do whatever is necessary in order to become a competant teacher.
I started to give you
Karli — Wed, 08/26/2009 - 10:34I started to give you critiques with reasons behind them, but since I'm bored, let me do the "I see lots of resumes/applications so here's the best way to sell yourself" makeover:
Dear Ms. (Insert Last Name, or if she really just gave you her first name say Dear Kirstin),
Thank you so much for contacting me. First off, my availability starting September is as follows:
(bullet point description of availability including dates, days of the week, and times available)
Secondly, allow me to elaborate on my experience with Chess itself. I have been playing Chess for (insert a number) years. I know all the basic rules and common strategies. I own several collectible chess sets and enjoy playing the game socially on a regular basis. While I have never played Chess competively, a few years ago I placed first out of forty students from different schools playing a Chess-like game, Mancala, at a math field day competition.
I have a passion for critical thinking games and I find them both enjoyable and challenging. My interests in teaching along with my dedication to learn and share information about Chess makes me a great candidate for this opportunity. Thank you again for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Ryan Johnson