Third Interview Questions

1. What would you say is the best, most consistent, way of winning a game of chess?
2. Would you say there are any specific "openings" that give the player an edge early on in game?
3. What beyond knowing the rules is important to be successful in Chess?
4. In your opinion, which is more important and why? Having a clear plan for your strategy or adapting and reacting well to your opponent's moves?
5. How large a role does "natural talent" play in Chess?
6. Is it possible and realistic to strive for a grandmaster's level of skill if the player is a beginner with relatively no "natural talent?"
7. What would you say are factors, if any, that contribute to players making poor decisions and moves in a game?
8. Are there any notable players I should study that you believe would help my game out?
9. How often do you think a player must play in order to grow their knowledge of the game?
10. Do you think there are there any specific moves or strategies that you think are must-know's for every player? If so, what are they?

Self Reflection

(1) How do you think you are doing so far in your senior project and why?  AE, P, AP, CR, or NC

I would say, so far i deserve a P on my project. I've met all the deadlines and haven't missed an assignment but I haven't really gone above and beyond on any particular component. (2) What one thing do you think you have done well on and why?

I think I have maintained my blog well.I have updated this blog with the necessary posts consistently and on time for nearly all assignments. 
(3) What is one thing you would like to improve on and why? 

I would like to keep better care of my research(articles, books, etc.) because during the last folder check, I had some difficulties accessing all of my research pieces in a timely and organized fashion. 

Science Fair Proposal

1. What is your hypothesis? 

If a student plays at least two games every day, then that student will improve their overall wins to losses percentage.

2. Identify the dependent (produced), independent (manipulated) and control variables in your hypothesis. 

-The dependent variable in my experiment is the change in win/loss percentage from previous percentage's(chess elective data)
-The independent variable is the amount of games I make the students play. 
-The control variables are the people chosen for my experiment.

3. What is the connection between your science fair project and your senior project EQ? 

My EQ is about finding the best way to play the game effectively and this science project will help me prove the best way to practice and overall increase your wins.

4. How will you perform the experiment?  Include the equipment you plan on using.

1.) Construct a chart of every selected player's previous games(wins/losses) using recorded data tables from Chess elective.
2.) Group players according to their overall win percentage using the chart. 
3.) Have every member of group 1 play at least 2 games a day outside of elective in order to practice. Meanwhile prohibit the other group(group 2) from playing chess outside of elective. 
4.) Pair up players so that group 1 faces group 2 and have them play each other at least 5 times.
5.) Repeat Step 4 at least 2 more times to develop a more accurate result. 
6.) Record the wins and determine which side has the higher win/loss percentage. 

5. Which category will your project be listed under?

I will list this under Behavioral Science. 

What I've Learned So Far

1.)  I have learned the in-depth history of the game and many different strategies and terms that every intermediate player should know. The most important information that has stuck with me is definitely the different openings I have learned.

2.)  This is a picture of the popular opening that I like to use most often and have learned to do since beginning my research. http://www.mark-weeks.com/aboutcom/images/m61pp04b.gif

3.)   The articles I found after browsing the web were pretty good but my main source for my information has definitely been the book, Weapons of chess: an omnibus of chess strategy / by Bruce Pandolfini. It has offered me clear and concise strategies that can easily be implemented in any game. 

Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

1.)  For my independent study component, I plan on playing numerous online games against ranked opponents on the website, Chess.com. I hope to gain experience from these games to ultimately learn more openings and to improve my overall skill.

2.)  I am quite confident I can reach the goal of 30 hours of work because most of these games take quite a lot of time and effort. Some can last hours so I think the 30 hours will be reached. I can log in once I start a game and log out when I finish playing so that I can take an online screenshot of the process. I can also have an adult present as I play to be completely sure that I am working on the appropriate task.

3.)  My EQ demands knowledge in how to win a chess match and also a lot of experience doing so.  Playing countless games online against increasingly difficult players will in fact give me that experience I need in order to teach others how to win. 

Title: Defining the Essential Question

1.)  What is the best way to win a game of chess?

2.)  I think it’s pretty self-explanatory. The “best” way would be the fastest, and most foolproof way of winning that can be consistent in every game that is played.

3.)  – Study Games played by Prodigies to learn different techniques.                                                                - Analyze your own games to make sure you learn from your mistakes and improve over time.

4.)  My most important source has definitely been the book I have read, “ Weapons of Chess,” by Bruce Pandolefini. This has been a great resource on all the basics and on a number of terms and techniques that dominate the game and should be known by all intermediate players. 

Second Interview Questions

I plan on interviewing the head teacher that is in charge of the chess club at Cal Poly.

1.)  How many years have you been playing the game?

2.)  What is it that inspired you to found this club?

3.)  What would your advice be for a player wanting to improve his skill?

4.)  Do you consider yourself a “great player?” Why or why not?

5.)  Have you ever participated in or attended a chess tournament?

6.) What would you say your qualifications are for leading this club?