Welcome to the Official Website of the…HSPCCC

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Homan Square Pool Checkers & Chess Club of Chicago

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“The Champion’s Page”

(This Web Page is designed exclusively for)

The 2007 APCA National Champion

(AND HSPCCC’S OWN)

Al “Action” Lambert

(The Champion will be sharing his views, and other significant details about the Game of American Pool Checkers).

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Mr. Lambert and his lovely wife, The Rev. Carolyn Lambert

(A Champion in her own right)

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How I Became Champion – Lambert (Scroll down - See below)

Watch the Champion and his wife make their moves: http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/192721 - complements of J. Kacher

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AL LAMBERT A CHAMPION – DEVELOPING FUTURE CHAMPIONS

A Retired 30 Year Affirmative Action Administrator from The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

An Educated Public Servant with Two Master Degrees: Counseling and Social Work

A National Checker Champion, Top Masters Division

A Chess and Checkers Program Coordinator and Instructor at the Homan Square Community Center

A Devoted Husband to the Rev, Carolyn Stokes Lambert

A Father of 3 and Grandfather of 8

Someone You Should Know !!

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Introduction

Alvin (AI) Lambert is somewhat of a quiet, soft-spoken, easy going guy, but who is a fierce competitor, and is on top of his game. That is- he is the reigning National Checker Champion of the American Pool Checker Association (APCA). He loves helping and teaching others how to play competitive checkers and chess, and freely volunteers his time and efforts into doing so. He says he does it because playing checkers and chess helped him tremendously during his early developmental years as a child, as well as during his adult life, so he would like others to benefit by having positive experiences in a fun way like he did. He played on the chess team when he was in college but his greatest passion has always been for checkers so he never committed himself to becoming an exceptional chess player as he has with the game of checkers. The average person tends to think of checkers as a very simple game that is played primarily by little children, but those who really know are aware that checkers is a very complex and challenging game which requires an inordinate amount of study and hard work. There are many, many of books on checkers just as there are on chess, and it is no easy task to master either of the games. There is little or no financial gain for those who play the games, so those who play generally play because they love the game not because there is money to be made in the sport. Maybe some day this will change where people who attain a high level of excellence in checkers or chess will be compensated for their skills like people are who play other professional sports.

Checkers/Chess Skills applied to Job and Life Experiences

As the Statewide Administrator of the Office of Affirmative Action with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Al was responsible for preventing and eliminating discrimination and discriminatory practices throughout the Department, and for assuring that corrective action was taken when necessary. He also was responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination, and making sure that all employees, clients, and service providers were treated fairly without regard to their race, color sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or disability. He established goals and objectives to assure the hiring of minorities and women at all levels of the Department, and made concerted efforts to assure that the goals and objectives were being met.

Just like he was playing a game of checkers or chess, Al says he applied many of the same skills he learned, which enabled him to be very successful on his job for over 30 years. He referenced things like using Assessment skills, Analytical skills, Tactical skills, Planning skills, Collaborative skills,

Problem Solving skills, and many other related skills. Al attributes his long term success on the job as one which began with a strong family upbringing that stressed, morals, values, education, and a faith in God; hard work; his overall experiences; his educational background; and his belief that everyone should be treated justly and fairly, and deserves an equal opportunity in life without being discriminated against for any reason.

AI's Checker Roots

Al was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois and was from a poor family of 11 children. Although his parents did not have a formal education, they instilled in their children that education

was the key to success, and insisted that their children went to college. All 11 of the children did go

to college and 9 of them graduated with at least a Bachelor's degree; 5 of them received Masters degrees (2 of which received 2 Masters); and 1 received a Law degree.

AI's Dad and Uncle were avid checker players, and so was his older brother Fred, who really got Al interested at a young age, and taught him a lot about the game. Fred advanced to the point where he could consistently beat his uncle and his dad. The game was fun to AI and it afforded him the opportunity to "hang out" with the older guys who taught him a lot about life, and why it was so important to stay out of trouble. AI was about 6 years old when his dad allowed him to go with him when he took his brother Fred to playa very good checker player by the name of Henry Jenkins. This encounter would have a profound impact on Ai's life. His brother Fred recalls the incident in a book he wrote entitled You Need Comedy: Lets Kneel in Laughter. He wrote the following:

Mr. Jenkins, a giant of a man, every bit of six feet four inches tall, well over two hundred pounds, was not only big and tall but loud, boastful, and thought of by many to be the bad-est checker player around. When he talked everybody listened. And when he laughed, everyone laughed. His laughter could be heard above and beyond everyone else's. Mr. Jenkins wouldn't just whip you; he'd slaughter you, then laugh, brag and poke fun of you. I not only didn't win a game, I didn't come close to a draw or to the King's row. After some five, six, seven or more games, the result was always the same. He'd pulverize me -laugh real loud and bark at my father: Mose where did you get this boy? Who told him he could play checkers? You better get him out of here before I kill'em! Dad laughed teasingly along with the others. Everyone in the barber shop it seemed was cracking up, except my little brother AI. To him it wasn't quite so funny. He said to Mr. Jenkins, one day Mister I'm gonna get you for that. WhenAl got older, he didn't forget Mr. Jenkins. He whipped Mr. Jenkins to the point where Jenkins refused to play him anymore.

AI had avenged his brother's loss, but he was not satisfied and had a desire to get better because he had come to learn that there were many more and better players in other cities throughout the country.

Tournament Experience

Al moved to Chicago in 1980 and played in his first National Checker Tournament in 1981, but did not win. There are 5 Divisions beginning on your level of expertise: 1. Blue Ribbon (Beginner's level) 2. Gold Bar (Moderate level), 3. Jr. Master (Semi-experienced level) 4. Master (Experienced level) and 5. Top Master (Highest level). AI began at the Jr. Master level and won the National Jr. Master Division in 1983. He won the Master Division in 1988, and won the Top Master Division in 2007.

Al says his keys to success involved a lot of preparation through hard work, commitment, self sacrifice, practicing on a regular basis, studying lots of books, doing research, and applying himself. While participating in tournament play he constantly reminds himself to Relax, Concentrate. Have Confidence, and Execute.

Homan Square Pool Checkers and Chess Club (HSPCCC)

Al is a member of The Homan Square Pool Checkers and Chess Club, which is housed within the Homan Square Community Center located at 3559 West Arthington St., Chicago, Illinois. It is open to the public daily from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Many of the Club members are middle-aged and senior citizens and Al is trying to change that by involving the children and youth of all ages. He started a program where free lessons are taught weekly on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 to all who are interested. The children are excited about the program and look forward to it every week. Some of them are getting pretty good, and Al has been forewarned by a couple of kids that their goal is to beat him. They have a lot of fun playing and beating each other and are looking for new challenges. More and more of the Club members are starting to get involved, and a tournament will be held for the children in the near future. The goal is not only for the children to learn how to play, but to play at a very competitive level. Also, through the playing of chess and checkers children are also learning valuable skills that will help them in other areas of their life. They are learning good sportsmanship win or lose; motivation; discipline; patience; how to focus and concentrate; how to analyze; how to utilize various strategies and tactics; how to network and work together; how to develop lasting relationships; how to build self confidence, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Through this process the children are less likely to get in trouble or commit a crime.

American Pool Checkers National Tournament

The American Pool Checkers Association is the governing body by which all the organized Checker Clubs through the country are affiliate with. It sponsors annual tournaments in different cities each year where new champions are crowned. This year, the Homan Square Pool Checkers and Chess Club of Chicago is the proud host of the 42nd National Tournament. The tournament will be held July 14 -18, 2008 at the Holiday Inn, 6201 Joliet Road, Countryside 11.60525. The Banquet will be held on July 18,2008 at 7:00 PM where professional entertainment will be provide, and the public is cordially invited. Tickets for the Banquet are $25.00. Further information about the banquet may be obtained from the HSPCCC President, Mr. Stoney Burke, at (312) 914-3754, or Mr. Al Lambert, Secretary, at (708) 481-5678.

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A Report From Memphis

THE APCA TOURNAMENT OF- O7 IS HISTORY.

LAMBERT GETS HIS “CROWN”

Chicago’s (HSPCCC) own, Al “Action” Lambert brought it all together at the 41^nd National American Pool Checkers Association Tournament in Memphis, Tennessee of July 16 – 19, 2007. Playing a remarkable well-coordinated and a well balanced array of different games, Mr. Lambert left the field in tatters as he magnificently defeated some of the best pool checkers players in America. I, for one, was one of his victims as I “bit the dust” twice, and that all but sealed my fate. Such was his play, and this was his day. On more then a few occasions, I heard many of the elite players moan, “He beat me two, or he beat me one.” He “left no prisoners.” His play was awesome, one had to concede.

Click on this link below for the Tournament’s Results

2007APCATournamentResults.html

No player since the 2000 tournament winner, Ion Dosca had dominated the Top Masters Division the way he did. His margin of victory, 6 points (see the scores link above), left little doubt as to who was king here. And so his many supporters can now finally bestow on him that “Crown” they have, for so long wanted to, and that he now, so richly deserves. I, along with the Club, will enthusiastically say, “Hail!! to the New King. May his reign be long and prosperous.

The tournament itself was very well conducted. The Tottens of Memphis, Othnell and his daughter Sharon did a magnificent job for the organization, for their club, and for their city. It was said that the ladies, as well as some of the players, had an extraordinary time in some of their visits to the many sites that were planned. Thanks Memphis!

While some of the truly elite players could not make it-notably Al Barnett of Atlanta, Georgia and Elton Williams of Flint, Michigan, many of the top guns did show and perhaps put on one of the finest showing seen in these parts in a very long time.

It was amazing to see how the “new blood” (recent winners of the Masters Division) and others such as, the “young lion, ” Mr. Emmanual “Roughneck” Rogers composed themselves at this tournament. Besides the Lambert championship run, Mr. Rogers performance was one of the most amazing. as he managed to garner wins from two of the best players in the tournament-notably Lambert, this years champion, and Monroe, the three-times former champion. At the same time he only lost one game. Your performance too was a gem “Roughneck.” And also, let’s not over look Charles. “The Great” Charlie” Brown for his wonderful play in finishing 2^nd . He is, of course, one of my All-time Great players (See “Pecan’s” 20 Greatest Players else where on this site).

And finally, the real shocker of the tournament was the two wins that last place finisher, of this tournament, (and many others), Mr. Shirley Mahone of Memphis, Tennessee got against the, now dethroned, national champion Calvin Monroe. It was said that up until the point Mr. Mahone defeated Mr. Monroe, he (Mr. Mahone) hadn’t won a single game. Well-done Mr. Mahone. Such was the topsy turvy happenings offered at this 07 Memphis Tournament. It will be one to remember.

In addition to the extraordinary play, the tournament was also the beneficiary of some outstanding web site seminars held by Mr. Jake Kacher who flew all the way from Burbank, California to give us some truly quality help on web design. He, of course was ably assisted by my good friend, Mr. Clarence Gooche, of Durham, North Carolina and the webmaster of http://americanpoolcheckers.us, the official website of the APCA.

“Pecan”

HOW I BECAME CHAMPION - By AL Lambert

From the very beginning, my brother Freddie Lambert has had a tremendous influence on my life. Because of him I started playing checkers at a young age, and he would always push me to try and get better and better. He taught me how to play for the "love and enjoyment of the game", win, lose, or draw; and to try and learn from my mistakes. Whenever we would get together, even today, he still challenges me on the checker board. In fact, he has achieved a level of success in his own right in checkers in that he won the Gold Bar Divisional Championship to become sanctioned as a National Junior Master checker player by the American Pool Checker Association (2004). He has also written a book "You Need Comedy: Let's Kneel in Laughter", and in his book he devoted a whole chapter (pages 57 – 74) describing how I developed and what motivated me into becoming the checker player I am today. The book is very enlightening, funny, and a joy to read, and I recommend it as a must read. (If you are interested in purchasing the book, please contact the author, Mr. Freddie Lambert at (freddieyvon@yahoo.com). The cost is only $14.95 plus tax.

Although I had a good start playing checkers in East St. Louis, IL. as a child, I did not really make significant progress until I moved to Chicago in 1980. Initially I was getting beaten pretty badly by a lot of players but that didn't discourage me. I became friends with Fred Shurn and he finally convinced me that I needed to study in order to get better, and introduced me to several books. He would stay on me frequently asking me, did you study? From time to time it would get to me when he watched me play someone and I would lose, and he would say "you didn't study". I didn't like to hear that but deep down I knew he was right and I knew I had to better prepare myself so I wouldn't have to hear this comment -- and have it be true. I benefited greatly by living in Chicago because it gave me an opportunity to play some of the best checker players in the country: Carl (Buster) Smith - arguably the best African American checker player ever, Victor Kraft, Charles (Pecan) Thompson, Orlando (Panama) Williams, and others.

I tried to use somewhat of a systematic approach to trying to get better. This is how I did it:
1. Initially I tried to improve my defensive play by working on trying to keep the draw in sight, and learning how to defend myself against a variety of different openings.
2. I practiced developing a preferred opening with the Black checkers and stuck with it until I was comfortable playing it against anyone.
3. I started trying to learn a variety of games with the White checkers then the Black checkers.
4. I devoted more attention to focusing on Endgames.
5. In this last tournament I tried to be less predictable than I had been in the past.
6. I used the following phrases to remind myself during tournament play: Relax, Concentrate, Have Confidence, and Execute.

Checkers is a fun game, which requires knowledge, skill, and concentration when played at a high level, and should be played with respect and dignity among its competitors. My advice to all checker players is: be as gracious in defeat as you are in victory. In fact, in most instances you will probably learn more from your defeats than you will from your victories. Therefore, don't be too hard on yourself when you lose and too high on yourself when you win. Keep it in its proper perspective -- it is only a game, and when the game is over let there be no hard feelings. We play for the love of the game.