The Valkyries of Beaverton, step aside and watch them win!
#ChesswithCoachLarry
A Valkyrie was a historical representation of female power and prestige. Nesara Shree, a sophomore at Jesuit High School, has started a modern movement. She and her group have grown to 10 girls representing power and prestige in chess. They are of different ages, schools and chess abilities. They get together as often as they can, practicing their chess, exchanging ideas and getting help from Coach Larry to prepare for the upcoming chess tournament season. They play in many local tournaments, their toughest competition being at the Portland Chess Club, where they play fearlessly against some of the area’s top chess players.
In addition to winning their games, the girls have found another way to stand out from their male competition. They are also producing Valkyries dresses, shirts and soon, other items. These young ladies are not letting anything stand in their way. They want to win and expand their group, reaching out to girls of all ages and grades. They want to start chess clubs at schools that don’t have them yet. And they want to take a team to the state championship in the spring at Seaside.
I have great faith in these young ladies and what they are trying to do. I will offer my help and do everything I can to help them succeed. I hope others will help them if needed too, but the truth is, these girls are so talented, sometimes the best thing to do is to just step aside and watch them win!
Game of the Month
- White: Vera Menchik (First Women’s World Chess Champion
- Black: George Thomas
1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, e6 3.Nc3, d5 4.Bg5, Be7 5.e3, 00 6.Nf3, Ne4 7.Be7, Qe7 8.Qc2, Nc3 9.Qc3, c6 10.Bd3, Nd7 11.00, Re8 12.cxd, exd 13.b4, Qd6 14.Rf4, b6 15.Qc6, Qc6 16.Rc6, Nf6 17.Rc7, Be6 18.Ba6, Red8 19.Rac1, Ne8 20.R7c3, h6 21.Ne5, Kf8 22.Bb7 Black resigns. Don’t mess with a Valkyrie!.
Why learn chess? Simple: It’s a great mental workout that helps children perform well in the classroom. Chess is a logical game where kids have to plan ahead and adjust to new situations. But most of all, it’s fun!
Larry Ball (Coach Larry) teaches students of all ages at the Steinitz Chess Academy in Beaverton. For more information, email Larry at larryball48@yahoo.com.
