A Farewell Chess Party!

Have some free chess fun while saying goodbye to Master Matt & Ms. Daa

 

            Although Matt and Daa Mahowald only moved to Minnesota a decade ago, they’ve had an impact on the state’s chess community.  As a National Master, Matt added to the state’s rich milieu of chess competition.  As a chess teacher, Daa introduced hundreds, ages three to ninety-three, to the exquisite intricacies of the game.  Between them, they coached dozens of scholastic chess clubs and raised the current Minnesota Girls Chess Champion, their daughter Morgan, who has become a chess coach in her own right.

            Minnesota Magazine once called them the Twin Cities’ First Couple of Chess.*  They’ve held chess events and tournaments around the state and Daa has taught such courses as Parent & Tot Chess Time and No Stress Basic Chess for Seniors.  As the Robbinsdale Area Schools’ District Chess Coordinator since 2003, she’s overseen a program where almost 10% of the district’s 5000 elementary students are in chess clubs.

            Both Matt and Daa have been involved with the Minnesota State Chess Association as well.  For the last two years, Matt has maintained the MSCA’s membership database.  He’s also directed, co-directed, or assistant directed several MSCA tournaments.  Three years ago, Daa became an MSCA Board Member.  Two years ago, she became the editor of the Northern Chess News and about a year ago, she became the editor of the Minnesota Chess Journal.

            Even while this couple became more deeply involved in Minnesota chess, the downturn in the economy was impacting them.  In August, Matt’s employer, BAE, went through a Reduction in Force, and he was laid off.  He has located another Software Engineering position, this time in California.  He is already there and Daa will join him in February.

            They’re throwing a chess party to say goodbye to all their chess friends!  This event will take place during the time Matt is back in Minnesota for the Winter Holidays: 4-8 PM on Tuesday, 12/29/09, at Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion Elementary School’s Gymnasium (8808 Medicine Lake Road, New Hope, MN, 55427).

            The couple will bring their huge chess set (tallest piece is about 18 inches high).  Matt will give a simul, there’ll be short, unrated blitz and bughouse tournaments, as well as drawings and other contests for chess prizes.  Refreshments will be provided.  The couple hopes that the chess community will drop in to enjoy themselves at this free, casual event.

 

 

* http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/August-2006/Daa-and-Matt-Mahowald/