Coaches Corner
How do young players develop a love for this royal game? More often than not it starts with their first coach, a person who is passionate about the game and instills the same love to his students. If you asked any chess player young or old, about who motivated them to play chess, it will always be one of their first coaches.
On that note here is a tribute to one such coach Charvic German, Coach and Captain of the ASU Sun Devils Chess team. Here in his own words, an essay about his most rewarding journey.
Looking back on my chess career that has spanned 8 years, I acknowledge the individuals that helped me continue doing what I love. I began playing chess as a freshman at Maryvale High School under the guidance of Mr. Dennis Pinon and Mr. Adam Moukad. These coaches would ultimately lead me on the path of chess coaching, which I still do and enjoy. We were a young team and as such our resources were limited, sophomore year my good friend Fernando Chavez and I began mentoring the younger team members in the hopes of building a stronger more competitive team. To this day, I expect my varsity players to have a positive influence on incoming players and act as mentors for them. Chess is a fantastic platform for learning and communication. I pride myself in having chess coaching experience ranging from individuals 8 years old to 40 years old. Chess helped me realize my love for teaching. My sophomore year at ASU saw me join the ranks of Surf N’ Chess, a great organization dedicated to providing free chess education to every child. The man behind the dream, Patrick Neely would also impact my view of coaching and make me better as a coach.
I continued to mentor the team until I graduated. I came back as a freshman at ASU to coach the team alongside Mr. Pinon. The team was comprised of players I had played with during my time at high school and thus I had an advantage in the form of familiarity. I had a better understanding of each player and their style of play. I learned that this understanding is what separates a good team from a great team. A coach that can truly understand their team is able to effectively train them. A fundamental factor in our success over the years was our bond as a team that was similar to that of a family. We focused on training but also on team building. This included activities not chess related that we do together. We carry that tradition currently; I pride myself in being close to my players and being seen as a friend and coach. I strongly believe that great coaching means taking the time to befriend your players, it develops trust and a sense of bond. This will translate into a team that is more determined to win, not only for the school but for themselves and each other.
I currently keep in touch with all my players, past and present. We discuss matters important to them as well as chess related topics. I do consider these players to be part of my family. They know they can rely on me and I know I can rely on them. This is essential because it puts importance on developing meaningful networks that do not end when chess does. Too often I see the love of chess and team slowly fades away for players that graduate. This is not the case for many of my past players who interact with the current team and offer support to them in their competitive pursuits.
My goal is to create a family out of my team and add it to the larger family composed of every Maryvale chess player, teacher, and supporter. We have received tremendous support from many wonderful educators at Maryvale High School. We as a team have always aimed to win for those individuals and each other; we add a very real human element to the game and make it our win. Win or lose my players know that they are with family and that is the most important takeaway from the 4 years they spend in high school. Going into college and careers, they know they have a support network that is unwavering and that they can continue to. That is the mission of Maryvale chess, which is why we have succeeded and will continue to do so. Many great individuals have worn our colors with pride and know that the trophies and medals at our school are there because of them.
Statements:
Charvic German,
A good mentor and a great friend. Taught me at my lowest and got me to my highest. Never felt more achieved in chess during my years on the team without the leadership and friendship Charvic, my couch gave me. Taught me as much as I could and was able to be a varsity player because of the how he taught us individually and as a team. I would like to thank him for that.
-Victoria Benitez, Former Maryvale Varsity
The truth about Charvic is that he is a caring person and when I was new to AZ and the school Maryvale I didn’t know anyone after a while one of our mutual friends Juan took me to the the Maryvale chess club my freshmen year so I chilled and competed in chess I was the new guy. When I got there I felt at home with no issues of course me being new I am not the greatest but I could bet the easy guys in the group using beginning level tactics and showing a little idea of my talents. But after a while me and charvic began talking and he offered me a spot to compete during next years competitions so during the rest of that year and that summer vacation we studied hard between Charvic and the class teacher making study guides review pages fun entertaining puzzle. We got to work for that up coming man slaughter if a chess season.
During this time Charvic never forced any info down anyone's throat and always keeping a eye out for the worse player . Never telling us I believe that he knew that our team was the strongest when the chess level was close so when we practice we would be so close to each other skills that the team would try our hardest to still make first. But knowing I was one of the newest / worse ones at the time Charvic spent a lot of hard work, patience, and time that it drive me to do better and never gave up when things got difficult but to drive and fine a way to defeat anything that is thrown our way
After a great year with over half of the team coming out of that’s year with multiple rewards and trophies and the name of Maryvale in their mouths I proudly remember my time at the greatest chess team in the most beautiful city. HOOYAA ! To my biggest mentor, Idol, friend I could ask for.
-Carlos McClinton, Former Maryvale Varsity
He is kind and welcoming to everyone, whether it is a complete stranger, or a scared little girl who just wants to play chess. He takes everyone in and shares with them the concept of chess. The lifestyle he loves so much and he teaches you to appreciate and enjoy it. He teaches you how to become better through strategy, technique, development and a lot of other things that make up the foundation of chess but he does it in a way that is fun and interesting. I remember spending so many hours in that room 101 with the guys learning how to better use my pieces, what the best opening was, or simply getting better through practice by challenging the other players in the team. We lost hours messing around and teasing and laughing and enjoying the friendship and team we belonged to and Charvic made that possible for us. He created a place where those interested in a game that was unusual in high school felt welcomed and appreciated. A place where we could develop our skill or simply have fun without having to mind those who weren’t very interested in the game. It was the best team I had ever belonged to and that is what Charvic German created. It is what he keeps to this day. Though many years have passed, the team dissolved and we each graduated, Charvic still tries to keep that place open for kids. He still spreads his kindness and friendship and acceptance and invites young kids to enjoy a game that not only develops your mind but your person as well. Charvic is the best leader, coach and friend I ever had the fortune of meeting and this is what I want you to know of him, what you should write about him, he is a very great human being.
Sincerely,
One of the many students of Charvic German,
Maria F. Felix, Former Maryvale Varsity
Chess is fun and I truly enjoy playing it and the coaching I received made the game 100× better do to my competitive nature.
-Jeremy Guisleman, Current Maryvale Varsity
Chess helped me think more critical not just inside but out of my life I think chess is fun mind game and I thank my coach for helping me see that I can be good at something but can also be fun, I also thank chess for me meeting some new companions.
-Axel Alvarado, Current Maryvale Varsity
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