Chess + S.T.E.M. + Hip-Hop = Bum Rush the Boards

"They might think they've got a pretty good jump shot or a pretty good flow, but our kids can't all aspire to be the next LeBron or Lil' Wayne. I want them aspiring to be scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers, not just ballers and rappers." 

President of the United States, Barack H. Obama, at the 100-year anniversary of the NAACP

On Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Words Beats & Life (WBL) in partnership with the Historical Society of Washington and the Columbia Heights Youth Club will host the fifth annual Bum Rush the Boards Hip-Hop Chess Tournament. The tournament will take place at the Historical Society of Washington located at 801 K St. NW at Mount Vernon Square Washington, DC 20001.  Bum Rush the Boards was created by WBL in 2005 to promote strategic thought and actions within the hip-hop community. The name of the event was inspired by Public Enemy's album, "Yo! Bum Rush the Show" released in October 1987.

This year, Bum Rush the Boards will consist of 6 rounds of 30 minute team-based tournament play for intermediate and advanced youth, ages 5-23.  Beginning Youth will participate in 3 rounds of 1 hour individual play.   There will also be six 30 minute rounds rounds of individual tournament play for  intermediate and advanced adults. These workshops give chess players the opportunity to have hands-on learning experiences based on the core elements of hip-hop culture.  Participants will also participate in a series of S.T.E.M. -based workshops called "Engineering a Culture."

Beginning with our 2010 tournament, there will be a specific focus on career exploration in S.T.E.M.A. We know that S.T.E.M.A. is important because together, these areas of study and employment constitute key components of the creative economy, one of the largest employment sectors in the United States.

Read More About Our S.T.E.M.A. based Approach

 

RANKING

 

Each participant should rank him or herself, based on the abilities outlined below. There were more than 250 registrants in 2009. We expect that number to double in 2010, so register today. The registration fee for adults, is $15 per registrant.  This sum is to be paid at check-in at the tournament.  The first place adult prize is $250, and the second place prize is $150.

 


REGISTER BELOW

  • TEAM
  • INDIVIDUAL
  • VOLUNTEER
Team Registration
Name
Address
City State Zip
Phone
Email
School/Affiliation
Name Age Skill Level
Team 1 (4 player minimum)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Additional 4
1.
2.
3.
4.
Additional 4
1.
2.
3.
4.

Tournament registration will be closed as of 5pm EST April 2nd 2010.  If you have questions please e-mail mazi@wblinc.org or call 202-667-1192.

dc counts

2010 Tournament Media Sponsor

2010 Press:

The Washington Post (Kids Post)


DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Journal


Ready Set DC


The Chess Drum


Across the Fader


The Cotillion Online


The Legislator

2009 PRESS:

Washington City Paper

Chess Drum

Across the Fader

Telemundo

2008 PRESS:

Bum Rush on FOX 5

Washington Post

Washington Informer

National Public Radio

Amoe Blog

2007 PRESS:

Washington Informer

 

Individual Registration

Name
Address
City State Zip
Phone
Email
School/Affiliation
   
Age
Skill Level
 
Name
Email
Phone
Address
City

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO RANK YOUR PLAYERS

Beginning - Players who can:

  • Demonstrate how to set up a chessboard.
  • Demonstrate how the pieces move and capture.
  • Explain checkmate and stalemate.
  • Demonstrates how to castle both sides.
  • Demonstrate the ability to play a game of chess to completion.

Intermediate - Players who can:

  • Explain the relative value of the pieces and how that can be used to evaluate an exchange.
  • Explain the touch move rule.
  • Demonstrate the proper way to play with a clock.
  • Demonstrate how to capture en passant.
  • Demonstrate mate with a King & Queen vs. King, King & 2 Rooks vs. King, and King & Rook vs. King.

Advanced - Players who can:

  • Explain the general principles of the opening.
  • Demonstrate how to read and record a chess game.
  • Understand the importance of, and apply, an appropriate thought process.
  • Understand the importance of, and apply, good time management.
  • Demonstrate basic tactics: fork, pin, back-rank mate, discovered attack.
  • Record their moves using algebraic notation.

 

This event is made possible through the generous support of the following:

©2010 WORDS BEATS & LIFE INC.    DEVELOPED BY: Imagetek Design