Words Beats & Life presents the 3rd annual Hip-Hop Chess Tournament, Bum Rush the Boards happening May 17th 2008 at Lincoln Middle School at 3101 16th Street NW Washington DC 20010 11am-7pm.

Bum Rush the Boards, the World's first hip-hop chess tournament, was created to promote the idea of strategic struggle to the hip-hop generation.   The name of the event was inspired by Public Enemy's album, “Yo! Bum Rush the Show” released in the January 1st 1987. 

There was a logical connection between Chess and Hip-Hop considering the fact that hip-hop as a culture is highly competitive.  It is replete with opportunities to battle and compete to win over crowds, crews and sponsors. By connecting hip-hop to chess, we have created a chess tournament that exposes youth to a culture (hip-hop) and a science (chess) that requires them to think ahead, manage talent and size up their adversary.  These skills are useful in hip-hop, chess, business and in life.

This is especially important for a generation of youth who have been made to believe that playing the "pawn" in life is cool.  They have only been taught to move in one direction and many adults see them as dispensable players.  Bum Rush the Boards dares to ask, "What happens when a pawn becomes a king or a queen?"  What happens when a pawn knows that he or she can be more and sees for the first time that they can ultimately be the most powerful player in the game?  Bum Rush the Boards harnesses the power of hip-hop culture and the science of chess to open the minds of a generation to a host of new options the world has available to them.

Bum Rush the Boards is open to players of all ages 5 and above. There is a $5 registration fee to be paid the day of for all individual players and members of teams. The $5 covers food and prizes for players. Bum Rush the Boards is however free and open to the public for people who want to attend as observers of the days events.
REGISTRATION
HOW TO RANK 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
Individual Registration
Name
Address
City State Zip
Phone
Email
School/Affiliation
Age
Skill Level
 


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