Victor J. Flores Former TCA Vice-President Senior TD My goal is to stimulate and promote the growth of chess in the Rio Grande Valley. I would like to see more major TCA events and chess opens held in the Valley. I am a big advocate of scholastic chess. I strongly believe every child benefits academically via chess. Children may start as early as pre-kinder to develop their cognitive thinking skills. Chess builds self-esteem, teaches discipline, fosters positive social skills, and more importantly, empowers children to succeed.

I believe our scholastic chess program in the Rio Grande Valley will benefit greatly if we can bring quality chess tournaments here, like the chess opens and the TCA state tournaments. We need to afford children the opportunity to play against the most talented chess players of all ages the state of Texas has to offer. My advice to all coaches is to teach good sportsmanship. Children should place friendship and good sportsmanship as a priority over winning.

My advice to chess parents is to never make a child cry over a game of chess. Parents who get upset at their child when they lose a game may unintentionally be discouraging their child from playing chess again. It is very sad to see a parent get angry with their child for losing a game and say something thing like, "If you would listen to me you wouldn't lose." Please don't expect your child to do the impossible and win every game. Not even children who are masters can win every game they play. Therefore, please be there for your child whether they win, lose, or draw, and  give them a hug and say I love you. Also, give them words of encouragement for the next time they play.

Edward Guetzow TCA Region VIII Director Local TD I have been coaching chess for 3 1/2 years at the elementary school level. I began teaching and coaching chess as a means to give something positive back to my community. It has been the most rewarding experience I could have ever imagined. If our children are our future then let's try and give our future the best skills possible for everyone's sake. Chess is the great equalizer.

I deeply believe that introducing chess to children at an early age greatly increases their ability to succeed in life. Chess gives everyone of all ages the opportunity to succeed in some  form no matter their ability nor their age. It teaches responsibility for one's actions, encourages better thinking skills, sharpens one's problem solving ability, reinforces self-esteem and, overall, teaches us that no  one is perfect.

My personal goal is to have our entire school district and region playing  chess at some level or other.  I want to see it in the malls, in  restaurants, in the parks and any place that two people might chance to meet for a game.  I want to be able to sit down when I am old and gray and find myself a nice game of chess wherevere I go.

Remy Ferrari Paredes Elementary Computer Literacy Teacher Club TD For the past 11 years, I have primarily taught 2 nd grade. Starting this year, my career path has taken me to teaching technology to our Kinder through 5 th graders. As part of a school that has been rated Exemplary by the Texas Education Agency for each and every year of our existence, I understand the focus of providing quality education to all our students – a challenging experience!

I have been involved with our chess program for almost eight years. From experience, I can tell you that excellence in chess does not always come from the best and the brightest. Oftentimes, it is the kids who have learning struggles that seem to pick up on this game and excel with it – a tribute to the program! We can also attest to the program’s ability to “tame the wild” when it comes to children with discipline issues. The game has a natural tendency to provide structure and self-discipline, along with teaching critical analysis.

I am proud to be part of a program that has made its name known at the local, state, and national levels. We don’t strive to make Grand Masters out of our kids. We simply provide opportunities to experience success, to have fun, and to enrich their lives in a wholesome way.

As to my goals with the local and district programs? I believe in the welfare and self-fulfillment that children need for a quality life. I want to provide my time to help our program run smoothly. We provide our kids, who otherwise may not excel at other extracurricular activities, an avenue for success. We provide out students with an adventure in life! I want to be part of what’s good for kids...