You’re right, Matt. The players are the key. I can say I’ve presided over the rapid rise of several good players at Marquette, but I can’t in all honesty say I’ve caused the rise. Oh, I’ve contributed a bit here and there, true. But that’s the extent of it.

A few years ago, when Alex B had his “Fearsome Foursome,” four players all rated over 1700, he told me the real difference between his 1700 players and his 1200 players was the amount of time they worked. Both batches got pretty much the same teaching, just one group was more willing to work at the game, and they were the ones that progressed.

You can’t just open a player’s head and pour knowledge in. And that’s the point that divides everyone. Some will still learn faster than others (Alex only needed a short discussion about the Cambridge Springs before he was able to play it, and Jake needed even less than that) but that’s always the case.

I consider myself living proof that anyone who is determined can reach 17-1800 USCF. It’s really not as hard as it’s made out to be. You have to be willing to pay the price, though, and most people aren’t. An hour a day would be sufficient, and probably less time after you first get the process moving.

Emanuel Lasker considered that about 210 hours of instruction would be enough to create a player good enough to challenge a master. Perhaps the depth of modern opening research would make that a little more, but it could still be done inside a year.

Look for example at how far Alex has come. In the last 19 rated games he’s climbed 170 points, almost averaging 10 rating points gained per game. During that run he scored 11 points, including 3 wins against players rated 200 or more points above him. And he’s not likely to stop soon.

Chess improvement works like that. You hit plateaus and remain the same for months, then something clicks and you shoot up. Most people confuse plateaus with limitations. The biggest job a coach has is to encourage the kids to keep trying, to keep banging their head against that invisible wall, and soon it’ll fall.

Besdies all of that, kudos to you and your team with the draw against Madison A West at State! I watched many of those games and was thoroughly impressed! The administrator is correct when he says that you all have the potential to take it all. A team is not the coach. A team is the players who bring their game to the board. If there is anything I have learned this year coaching my own team is that the coach really has very little do with it at all. Yes he can teach a few things here or there. Yes he can organize events, and get the team together. In the end though, it is the team, their dedication, their bonds with each other, their support and their determination and will to succeed that determine what happens at the board.

Even though not a single person reading this web blog probably knows me, I will see you at Nationals and I wish you all the best of luck there.

Good luck, Have fun.

Matt Schladweiler

I admit it first entered my mind back when a player walked out because I had the timerity to enforce the only real rule I’ve ever had for the team. It made me wonder why I bothered to put up with it, and (since I’ve had at least one similar incident every year) it made me wonder about whether I really was cut out to be a coach.

I blame that doubt more than anything else for the loss to James Madison. I wasn’t really there for a couple of crucial weeks. But we righted the ship and sailed on.

There’s one thing you all should know. You’re better than you think you are. You have the potential to win it all, if you can just bring your best game and forget what has gone before. Yes, you’ll be playing “uphill” at State, but the grade isn’t as steep as it might first appear. Just get some sleep, forget about who you’re playing, and play the board. You’ll do fine.

And even if I’m not there next year, I won’t be far away. Any of you can feel free to ask me for help. Anytime. I am, and win or lose will remain, proud of what we have accomplished together. I will always be available to all of you.

Now playing: Doctor Who Seems appropriate, on so many levels.

Thanks for a great season. I hope you can return to Marquette again someday.