Summer Chess Camps are widely popular throughout the United States, and thousands of players each year use this opportunity to learn from masters in intense, day-long sessions. Ever since we held our 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.

Our Camps provide a perfect blend of chess studies, interaction with coaches and other players, and lots of fun. We had more than 60 participants in the main Camp, and dozens of non-campers took part in our Evening Activities. As the organizer of the Western Alliance Tucson Chess Camps, I am very pleased to see how  interest for playing and studying chess had skyrocketed amongst those who attended. I would like to continue this wonderful tradition and take it to even greater heights by providing an opportunity for players to increase their knowledge at the 4th Annual Western Alliance Tucson Chess Camped day course.

To achieve this goal, I have once again 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. I am pleased to announce our preliminary Western Alliance ‘09 staff: The roster will be finalized closer to the Camp dates. Some coaches may not be able to attend and will be replaced by others.

International Master Levon Altounian
International Master Mark Ginsburg
FIDE Master Robby Adamson
FIDE Master Ken Larsen
FIDE Master Warren Harper
National Master Leo Martinez
Expert Chris De Sa
Expert Jonathan Shacter­
Expert Danny Schucker
Expert Ben Marmont
Expert Amanda Mateer
Expert Robert Keough
Expert Pavel Savine
Expert Andrew Lebovitz­
Expert Josh Leonard
Expert Gordon Ruan (Illinois)

The studies at the Western Alliance 2009 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.

Evening Activities Each of the 4 evenings of the Camp will again 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. This is just one more way to make the Camp as fun, educational and memorable as possible.
June 23-Simultaneous Exhibition with a Master
June 24-Blitz,
June 25-Bughouse,
June 26-Wild Games
June27-USCF Rated Tournament
Trophies and certificates for each activity.

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) 1400-1800 USCF
* Additional groups may be added if groups exceed the estimated participants numbers.
Borderline players can be moved up or down at my discretion to better fit the overall strength of that particular group. All ages are welcome.

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

Fees
• First 50 registered participants in any group: $275 if registered by June 1st, $25 more by June 10th, and an additional $25 by June 20th (if space is still available). All others- $300.
• $100 non-refundable deposit by the postmarked date to reserve a spot.
• Family, school and group discounts available. Please contact me for details.

Tournament Green Fields Country Day School will host a USCF rated tournament on June 27th, free for all Western Alliance 09 Camp participants.

Location
Green Fields Country Day School. 6000 N. Camino De La Tierra, Tucson, AZ 85741.

Lodging There are many hotels with discounted prices within a close driving range from the Camp. There is also the possibility to be hosted by one of the Camp families, if arranged in advance.

Registration
Please download and fill out the form below and mail to Levon Altounian at 2772 N. Neruda Ln, Tucson AZ, 85712 along with the corresponding deposit or a full payment. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (520) 891-3632 or laltounian@msn.com with any additional questions.

Thank You,
Levon Altounian