By the looks of the following pictures you can tell that America's future in international chess could not possibly look any brighter. When chess is fun for children they will want more of it.
We present to you, America's future grandmasters!
By the way, both of these players Winston and Rayan were gold and bronze medalist. They sure had fun winning medals for the United States. All play and no fun does not make sense in scholastic chess even if it is in international chess.
Rayan Taghizadeh on your right won 3rd place in the U-8 boys. But, the girls did not stay behind, they contributed to the tally as well.
Emily Nguyen (left hand corner) from Texas won the bronce medal for the United States in the U-8 girls. WCM Claudia Munoz, sitting next to her, came in 5th place in the U-12 girls. Madhu Karamsetty was a part of the girl trio that proudly represented the red, white and blue.
Every American and Canadian team members have emailed or called to report their travel information to us for logistical purposes. Guess what the information showed? 
Mr. Chuck Lovingood, USCF Scholastic/FIDE Director has emailed me the following list of official representatives of the United States attending the NAYCC 2009. However, we are awaiting confirmation of the additional players that will be attending the tournament. 
1. Thanks for letting us use your blog in order to keep the American and Canadian teams informed about the North American Youth Championship 2009, anything you want to say to both teams before we start this interview?
Yes, I want to tell everyone that I am blessed that my blog is being used for informational purposes for this tournament and may God Bless each parent and player on their trip to Mazatlan. I hope to meet everyone there.
2. In 2008, the North American Youth Championship was not held, but in 2007, you were the Official Representative of the United States in your first international tournament. Tell us about your experiences back then.
Well, Aguascalientes, Mexico was very pretty and I felt very comfortable in that city. It was a well run tournament. The Head of Delegation and the entire team were very friendly and helpful. I made lots of friends. I was 9-years old and playing in the under-10 category.
3. You won the gold medal after going undefeated in that tournament; did you think something like that would happen to you?
First of all, I did not believe I would win the gold medal because I drew in the 5th round with Mexican National Champion in a clear winning position for me, but when I found myself on board 1 in the last round, I thanked God for being in a position where I could win the tournament. I felt I was going to win a medal but in the last round I realized that I was in position to win the gold medal.
4. You were the only American in that category since Canada did not send a representative in the under-10, therefore it was you against 20-mexican girls, four of whom had just represented Mexico in the Pan American Youth Championship in Colombia. Did that intimidate you?
Not really, I believed in God that I would have a good result so I was not intimidated.
5. How would you characterize the level of the Mexican players being that you have played often against them?
Mexican players are excellent players. I think that in my case in particular several were overconfident with me because I did not have international experience at that time, but overall Mexican players are strong and should not be taken lightly. I realized later that winning for them meant financial sponsorships by their state governments in their chess development. So, they are fighting for a goal, to demonstrate to their states that they deserve financial sponsorships. In the United States it is very different.
6. Your entire family along with your grandmother were their to watch you win the gold medal for the United States, your grandmother had immigrated to the United States back in the 50’s from Mexico in order to obtain the American dream. What did it mean for you that your grandmother was there to witness this achievement? We ask because she just passed away four months ago.
It meant a lot for me because I know what she had gone through in her life when she arrived in the United States, especially because this was the first tournament she had ever seen me play. I was excited for her to see that two generations later, my win brought her joy because the United States was her adopted country.
7. We see you in this picture signing your WOMAN CANDIDATE MASTER Title. Explain the feelings you felt at the moment your were signing this FIDE document.
I felt excited. I always had a dream of the moment I would win a FIDE Title. I could not stop thanking God for that moment, but now I want more and with "more" comes more studying.
8. If you had to chose a member of the 2007 American team that really caught your attention, who would it be and why?
Raymond Sun because he had an outstanding performance, also because of his young age. He won the gold medal in the under-8. I heard he returned to China or something like that.
9. You are homeschooled, correct?
Yes, I am and it’s pretty cool because my parents make it fun for me. I also get to study more chess than most kids.
10. As an 11-year old girl, what advice would you give any participant that will make their debut in international chess in this North American Youth Championship 2009?
My advice would be to take the tournament serious; you have to believe in yourself that you can win the gold medal. It is important to take your time and analyze every move correctly. If you are winning on the board, avoid overconfidence. If you lose don’t get depressed over it. Listen and do what your coaches have asked you to do.
11. Your confidence from winning the North American Youth Championship 2007, helped you?
Yes, 90 days later I won the SUSAN POLGAR NATIONAL OPEN 2008 – undefeated. I came in 5th place at the ALL GIRLS OPEN 2008 in Dallas. Afterwards I went to the Pan American Youth Championship in Argentina where I won two games, drew four and lost three games, but I really learned from that experience.
12. Finally, what would you like to say to our readers?
I would tell every parent that every child has talents and if you pay attention to them, you will find additional talents. God bless you for the investment you are doing for your children. I also want everyone to know that there are other things that we need to focus on outside the chessboard – global warming is a big topic for me. Please help our planet to recycle. Please teach your children to recycle. Ok, I got that off my chest. Also, I thank you for reading my blog. SEE YOU IN MAZATLAN!
About an hour ago, I got off the phone with Mr. Raul Hernandez, President of the Mexican Chess Federation (FENAMAC), who informed me that he lifted the 60-hotel room block so that members of the American and Canadian delegations can make their reservations immediately.Last but not least, the picture above of the sunset over Mazatlan, the building you see is called "VALENTINOS" it is a famous night club in the city. The Hotel Olas Atlas is about a block away from that location in front of the ocean.
Abed Munoz
USCF Head of Delegation
North American Youth Championship 2009
This Sunday update is to keep the members of the USCF team that will participate in the North American Youth Championship 2009, informed. Monday morning, I will be talking to Mr. Raul Hernandez, President of Mexican Chess Federation in order to follow-up on his instructions from Saturday's phone call concerning the hotel's no vacany issue.
3:00 P.M.
By AbedMazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning "place of the deer." The city was founded in 1531. By the mid-1800s a large group of immigrants had arrived from Germany. These new citizens developed Mazatlán into a thriving commercial seaport, importing equipment for the nearby gold and silver mines. It served as the capital of Sinaloa from 1859 to 1873. They also influenced the music, banda, which is an alteration of Bavarian folk music, and also started the Pacifico Brewery on March 14, 1900.
Mazatlán, with a population of 352,471 (city) and 403,888 (municipality) as of the 2005 census, is the second-largest city in the state (after Culiacán) and Mexico's largest commercial port. It is also a popular tourist destination,with its beaches lined with resort hotels. A car ferry plies its trade across the Gulf of California from Mazatlán to La Paz, Baja California Sur. The municipality has a land area of 3,068.48 km² (1,184.75 sq mi) and includes smaller outlying communities such as Villa Unión, La Noria, El Quelite, El Habal and many other small villages.
Mazatlán is served by Gral. Rafael Buelna International Airport.
Until the early 19th century, Mazatlán was a humble collection of huts inhabited by indios whose major occupation was fishing, according to Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars, a French explorer. In 1829 a Filipino banker named Machado arrived and established commercial relations with vessels coming to Mazatlán from far off places such as Chile, Peru, the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. By 1836 the city had a population of between 4000 and 5000.
The city has seen some turbulent times. During the Mexican-American War (1846-48) the U.S. Army took the city and, in order to avoid the shelling of the city, the Mexican army abandoned it. Almost twenty years later, on the morning of November 13, 1864, a French man-of-war fired on the city twelve times but there were no casualties; Mazatlán then became part of the Mexican Empire under Maximilian (vestiges of French influence may still be found in the architecture of many buildings in Centro Historico). On November 13, 1866, the Mexican general Ramon Corona expelled the imperialists from Mazatlán.
On June 18, 1868, William H. Bridge, captain of HMS Chanticleer, blockaded the port and threatened to shell the city on June 22. The captain had taken umbrage after local Customs Authorities seized 23 ounces of gold from the paymaster of the ship.
The City of Mazatlán has the dubious distinction of being the second city in the world after Tripoli, Libya, to suffer aerial bombardment (although the local historical display at the plazuela affirms that Mazatlán was the first). During the Mexican revolution of 1910-17 General Venustiano Carranza (later president), intent on taking the city of Mazatlán, ordered a bi-plane to drop a crude bomb of nails and dynamite wrapped in leather on the target of Neveria Hill adjacent to the downtown area of Mazatlán. The crude bomb landed off target on the city streets of Mazatlán, killing two citizens and wounding several others.
During the Gold Rush, fortune hunters from the United States East Coast sailed from New York Harbor and other Atlantic ports to Mexican ports in the Gulf of Mexico. Debarking, the aspiring miners travelled overland for weeks to Mazatlán, where they would embark from the port to arrive in San Francisco in another four to five weeks.
Mazatlán's lighthouse (El Faro) began to shine by mid-1879. The lamp had been handcrafted in Paris, containing a big oil lamp with mirrors and a Fresnel lens to enhance the light. Since the light was static, in the distance it was often mistaken for a star. By 1905 this lamp was converted to a revolving lamp. Today, the 1000 watt bulb can be seen for 30 nautical miles (60 km). Near the lighthouse shore, famous "divers" (called this even by the Spanish speaking inhabitants of Mazatlán) perform daring jumps off high rocks into the Pacific Ocean for tips from onlooking tourists.
Angela Peralta (1845-1883), a Mexican opera diva famed throughout the world, died of yellow fever in Mazatlán shortly after her arrival in the port. Legend has it she sang one last aria from her hotel balcony overlooking the Plazuela Machado. Her memory is held dear by Mazatlécos to this day, and the restored Teatro Angela Peralta by the Plazuela keeps her memory alive.
Mazatlán is also the hometown of Pedro Infante, one of the most popular actors and singers of the golden years of the Cinema of Mexico.
Mazatlán was well regarded by film stars such as John Wayne, Gary Cooper, John Huston, and others of their generation as a sportfishing mecca. The hotels along Olas Altas flourished during the 40's, 50's and 60's supporting this vibrant trade.
In the 70's, tourism in Old Mazatlán declined as other, newer venues opened on the expanses of beach to the north of the city. As an example of Mazatlán's tourism expansion, one of the largest timeshare providers in Mexico, Mayan Resorts was founded in 1975 with the inauguration of Paraíso Mazatlán (Mazatlán Paradise). This time also saw the expansion of the Hotel Playa Mazatlán and the construction of many others, a trend that continues to this day.
As the 21st Century begins, the Centro Histórico has been rediscovered by newcomers and locals alike, spurring a renaissance of restoration and entrepreneurial endeavors. Once-fine homes that had fallen into literal ruin have been restored to their former glory and house families and boutique businesses. The city has assisted in upgrading infrastructure, such as better water, sewer and electrical services.
Today, I had the pleasure in receiving a phone call from a parent in Ontario, Canada who is interested that his son play in the North American Youth Championship. It always feels good to receive a call or an email from a reader of our blog.
At 3:50 p.m. (CST) I called Hotel Olas Atlas Inn, which is the location where the delegation of the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas will be arriving for the North American Youth Championship 2009.http://claudiachess.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-fulfilled-last-wish-of-my-mother.html,
http://claudiachess.blogspot.com/2009/07/we-continued-our-journey-to-mazatlan.html,
http://claudiachess.blogspot.com/2009/07/our-second-day-in-mazatlan-mexico.html,
http://claudiachess.blogspot.com/2009/07/driving-through-sierra-madre-between.html,
By Michael Webster: Syndicated Investigative Reporter. July 17, 2009 at 2:30 Pm PDTThousands of Mexican troops some camouflage-clad with red berets flew into the Mexican city of Michoacán to quell a surge in drug gang murders that has killed 16 local police. These troops are being rushed in from Juarez which many believe will leave the city un-protected. (Laguna Journals/Reuters/Henry Romero & Michael Webster)
Since taking office in 2006, Calderon has sent more than 50,000 troops and Federal Police to areas plagued by drug violence. The cartels rival the Mexican army in size and have both Mexico and the U.S. in crisis mode as they deal with what they fear is a coming insurgency along the U.S. Mexican border and the biggest threat to the U.S. Security.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon is sending over 5,500 more troops and federal police from war torn Juarez to war torn Michoacán where according to authorities 16 police officers have been slain through well-coordinated attacks and the same authorities hold the La Familia Mexican drug cartel responsible for those slayings.
The troops will be used to confront the Mexican drug cartel La Familia in Michoacán where the Mexican president is from and has become the latest focus point of the Mexican Governments war on drugs.
The Mexican government had just recently rushed 1000 solders to Michoacán where local police told the Laguna Journal that 1000 was not enough and the additional 5,500 will not be enough according to these same unidentified law enforcement officers "we are very much out numbered and out gunned." said an active Mexican solder.
This latest move included combat U.S. helicopters, night vision head gear and weapons and other new sophisticated combat equipment. This latest emergency action is believed a move to demonstrate a fierce show of resolve on the part of the Calderon administration.
A high ranking military officer told the Laguna Journal that he believes that the Mexican government is dangerously under manned and the Mexican forces who are attempting to eradicate the Mexican drug cartels are woefully incompetent for the task at hand and will need special training from U.S. Special Forces.
This officer also indicated that moving troops from Juarez to Michoacán is not a good strategy and will at best only serve as a temporary stop gap measure and will only result in even more violence in the already most dangerous city in Mexico Juarez.
According to this same officer who wishes to remain anonymous said, "We are suffering from not having enough boots on the ground and by taking troops from one area to another will not work, just as it did not work for the U.S. in the Middle East. What the Mexican army must learn to do is have enough trained solders to not only take a town or real-estate but then be able to keep it by leaving enough troops in place to accomplish that end."
Jose Rosa of Juarez said, "why is president Caldron taking troops from Juarez a main city on the border with the U.S. a big city that is very dangerous and totally out of control? Is it because Michoacán is his home town?"
High level Mexican military and government sources revealed that U.S. Special Forces and DEA agents are operating in Mexico. They have been allowed into Mexico to train Mexican troops and to seek clandestine terrorist groups believe operating in Mexico. The government of Felipe Calderon authorized some American Special Forces and US anti-narcotics agents to operate in some states without oversight by Mexican authorities.
President Barack Obama according to many observers is apparently attempting to fulfill a campaign pledge to strengthen the U.S. Mexican border. He released his new National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy of 2009. It purports that the U.S. Government including the military will respond to immediate threats associated with the substantial increase in violence in Mexico allegedly resulting from the pressure placed on the Mexican Drug Cartels (MDC’s) by Mexico President Felipe J. Calderon.
The report points out that drug trafficking across the Southwest border remains acute and the biggest threat to our homeland security and one of the top drug control priorities for the United States. Mexican drug trafficking organizations have come to dominate the illegal drug supply chain, taking ownership of drug shipments after they depart South America and overseeing their transportation to market and distribution throughout the United States.
The MDC’s are also reported to be providing food, medicines and cash to their gangs and paramilitary families back home in small villages and towns throughout Mexico. The MDC’s are paying people to attend marches and has handed out backpacks full of schoolbooks, pens and paper to poor families who joined the demonstrations, acting as a sort of Robin Hood, police said.
Two of Mexico's deadliest drug cartels have reached a combined force of over 100,000 foot soldiers, wreaking havoc across the country and threatening U.S. border states, the U.S. Defense Department told The Washington Times.
We are currently driving in the Sierra Madre of Durango, close to the Sinaloa border in an area known as the Devil's Spine because of its 12,000 ft. The clouds you see are real and they are beneath us, that is how high we are.
Mazatlan, Mexico
Like every important port city, Mazatlan has an aquariam with several aquatic shows. We were honored in watching the sea lion show. These sea creatures make the voyage every year from the Canadian coast to Mazatlan, where they stay from November to late March before they return back home. These stayed behind due to age and were trained by the aquariam, eventually after two years they are released back into the wild.
We also saw the bird's show. Several species of birds performing to a captive audience. I learned that female birds are smarter than male birds. Go figure!
We took a break from our vacation to listen to several local real estate offers. This particular negotiation got very interesting since we were close to closing on one particular deal that would have given us an investment in a vacation home in Mazatlan. You can see the representative and I looking over some numbers. Although, Mazatlan is in Mexico, real estate business deals are handled in U.S. dollares.
At night we had to go to Senor Frog's one last time. To the left of this young waiter is WCM Claudia Munoz, in pink, and to the right is my oldest daughter Faith - who had a crush on him.
The waiter realizing that Faith had a crush on him, did all he could to give our daughter a nice memory.
Mazatlan, Mexico
Durango, Durangohttp://chesscampeona.blogspot.com/2009/05/martha-munoz-passed-was-received-in-our.html,
After finalizing her estate after eight weeks, yesterday, my family and I arrived in the city of Durango in order to complete her journey. Needless to say, this has been up to this moment an emotional journey. The journey of a son fulfilling the last wish of a mother. I feel honored in completing my mother's wish given to me in 1980, when I was a 12-year old child.
Today, I will arrive at the same exact location but as a family man, with my wife and two children. I will leave a precedent for my children so that when my Heavenly Father calls me to his arms, my children my fulfill my last living wish.
As soon as we are able to post the details of the final journey of Marth Munoz, we will do so.
Martha Munoz
