This year, we are proud to partner with Unity Chess to continue our wonderful tradition of Western Alliance Summer Camps in Scottsdale.

Ever since Arizona Chess for Schools held its widely popular Western Alliance Tucson Summer Camp in 2006, a niche was created for similar events for chess enthusiasts throughout Arizona and its surrounding states. The players who attended these Camps have since greatly increased their chess knowledge, rating, and won numerous State and National titles. The Camps helped them boost their desire to play chess and to study and enjoy this wonderful game. These Camps provide a perfect blend of chess studies, interaction with coaches and other players, and lots of fun. Last year, there were
more than 60 participants in the main Camp, and dozens of non-campers took part in our Evening Activities.

We would like to take our Camps to even greater heights by providing an opportunity for players to increase their knowledge at the 1st Annual Western Alliance Scottsdale Chess Camp. To achieve this goal, we have carefully selected instructors well-known in the Arizona chess circuit and beyond that will not only able to provide a fundamental, yet different take on chess, but also have first-hand knowledge in what makes a great coach as well as a successful tournament player.

We are pleased to announce our preliminary Western Alliance ‘09 Scottsdale staff:

International Master Levon Altounian
International Master Mark Ginsburg
FIDE Master Pedram Atoufi
FIDE Master Warren Harper
Expert Andrew Lebovitz
Expert Danny Schucker
Expert Ben Marmont
Expert Amanda Mateer
Woody Woodson
Josh Leonard

The studies at the Western Alliance 2009 Scottsdale Camp will as always include a complete range of topics such as tactical play, middlegame planning, endgame studies, calculation, pawn structure, opening preparation, modern chess games, psychology and the latest news in chess worldwide.

General Groups: Earliest applicants will be considered first, and spots will be reserved in the order in which they are received. The approximate rating division for the groups will be as follows:
Group A (Wildcat) 100-600  USCF (4 years old and up )
Group B (Coyote)  600-1000 USCF
Group C (Hawks) 1000-1400 USCF
Group D (Bears)   1400-1700 USCF
* Additional groups may be added if  groups exceed the estimated participants numbers.

Borderline players can be moved up or down at our discretion to better fit the overall strength of that particular group.
All ages are welcome.

Adult Group: 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Taught by IM Levon Altounian, 2009 Arizona State Champion.
Day 1 ( August 4 ) — Tactical Calculation and Visualization
Day 2 ( August 5 ) — Analyzing complex Middlegame positions
Day 3 ( August 6 ) — Pawn Structures and their importance in a modern game
Day 4 ( August 7 ) — Openings and Endgames

Evening Activities Each of the 4 evenings of the Camp will correspond to a Blitz Tournament, Simultaneous Exhibition, Bughouse and Fun chess. These activities will be open to the public but free for the Camp participants.
August 4-Simultaneous Exhibition with a Master
August 5-Blitz
August 6-Bughouse
August 7-Wild Games
August 8-USCF Rated Tournament

Trophies and certificates for each activity.

Hours
General Groups 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Lunch Break from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
Adult Group 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Evening Activities 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Fees
General Groups First 50 registered participants in any group: $250 if registered by July 15, $25 more thereafter. $100 non-refundable deposit by July 15th to reserve a spot.
Adult Group $35 per day, or $100 for all 4 days. $25 non-refundable deposit by July 15th to reserve a spot.
Family, school and group discounts available. Please contact me for details.

Tournament Unity Chess Club will host a USCF-rated tournament on August 8thth, free for all Western Alliance 09 Camp participants.

Location Unity Chess Club, 14362 N Frank Lloyd Wright, Suite #1210,  Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Phone (480)949-5464. click here for directions

Lodging There are many hotels with discounted prices within a close driving range from the Camp.

Registration Please fill out the form(s) below and mail to Unity Chess Club at 14362 N Frank Lloyd Wright, Suite #1210,  Scottsdale, AZ 85260, along with the corresponding deposit or a full payment. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
IM Levon Altounian can be reached at (520) 891-3632, or at laltounian@msn.com.
FM Pedram Atoufi can be reached at (480)949-5464, or at info@unitychess.com.