Another week and another Wotawa endgame study to challenge your chess ability. This particular study from 1963 is approachable as there are only three pawns and four pieces (other than kings) on the chessboard. However, my calculations kept running into a brick wall until I realized that the winning path challenged my preconceived notions ofContinueContinue reading “Chess Position Worth Sharing 160!”
Author Archives: chessmusings
Remembering Daniel Naroditsky: An Uplifting Grandmaster Who Inspired Us
Many people knew Daniel Naroditsky, but few had the privilege of knowing him for as long as I did. I first witnessed the child prodigy in action during his early tournaments. He would visit my chess club in Cupertino, and later, I accompanied him to Pittsburgh for the National Elementary Championship. Our paths crossed againContinueContinue reading “Remembering Daniel Naroditsky: An Uplifting Grandmaster Who Inspired Us”
Scholastic All-Girls Chess Tournament Held in Fremont
Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the FEMChess All-Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament in Fremont, California. The event was not only an exciting showcase of numerous inspiring chess matches but also a chance for me to reconnect with several old friends. A particularly memorable highlight of the day was seeing Meiyappan Sathappan, an acquaintanceContinueContinue reading “Scholastic All-Girls Chess Tournament Held in Fremont”
Checkmate in Silicon Valley: Celebrating Northern California’s Scholastic Chess Excellence at the 2026 CalChess Super States
Northern California boasts a thriving scholastic chess scene, as evidenced by the ongoing 2026 CalChess Super States at the Santa Clara Convention Center. This afternoon, I explored the tournament floor with my camera, capturing the vibrant atmosphere. While it certainly takes a dedicated team of professionals to orchestrate such an impressive chess event, the realContinueContinue reading “Checkmate in Silicon Valley: Celebrating Northern California’s Scholastic Chess Excellence at the 2026 CalChess Super States”
Remembering Emory Tate: The Charismatic Mind Who Commanded Every Room
What set Emory Tate apart was his remarkable charisma. Whether he was addressing the inquisitive minds in a chess class or carpooling with me during commute time, he possessed an undeniable gift for articulating compelling ideas in a manner that captivated his audience. In a world where many simply echo the opinions of others, EmoryContinueContinue reading “Remembering Emory Tate: The Charismatic Mind Who Commanded Every Room”
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 64
A lot of chess lessons can be taught through playing training games with a student and sometimes it only takes eleven moves for a master to make an indelible impression. Case in point, I played a game at rook odds against a clever young beginner who has now learned some valuable insights. Position of interestContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 64”
CalChess Super States: K-6 Championships 2026
This weekend, October 17-18, the Santa Clara Convention Center will host one of the most significant scholastic chess tournaments in California: the 2026 CalChess Super States K-6 Championships, along with the grades 7-12 1000+ tournament. This event is set to draw the region’s top youth chess players, who will compete for prestigious titles and hugeContinueContinue reading “CalChess Super States: K-6 Championships 2026”
Chess Position Worth Sharing 159!
Alois Wotawa is one of several renowned chess composers, alongside figures such as František Richter, Bernhard Horwitz, Johan Axel Åkerblom, Arthur Klinke, and Josef Halumbirek. I first discovered these masters while browsing the pages of the famous German chess magazine, Deutsche Schachzeitung. It was the late Fremont chess pioneer Hans Poschmann who shared his oldContinueContinue reading “Chess Position Worth Sharing 159!”
Grandmaster Andrew Hong Hosts Exciting 30-Board Simul and Lecture in Santa Clara on October 12
Grandmaster Andrew Hong will give a 30-board simul on Monday, October 12, in the heart of Silicon Valley. The event will be hosted by the BAC Santa Clara Monday Night Club located at 2495 Cabrillo Ave in Santa Clara, California. in addition to the simultaneous exhibition, GM Hong will present a lecture and take partContinueContinue reading “Grandmaster Andrew Hong Hosts Exciting 30-Board Simul and Lecture in Santa Clara on October 12”
Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 86
Alois Wotawa (June 11, 1896 – April 12, 1970) was a prominent Austrian chess composer celebrated for his intricate endgame studies and direct mate problems that often featured complex, paradoxical solutions. Renowned in the field of chess puzzles, Wotawa was recognized for his skill in developing rich tactical ideas from simple positions, demonstrating his exceptionalContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 86”
Upcoming All-Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament in Fremont
On Sunday, October 18, 2026, Fremont will host the FEMChess All-Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament at the Warm Springs Community Center. Why Should Your Daughter Join?Since 2020, FEMChess has been dedicated to closing the gender gap in chess by inspiring and supporting girls from Kindergarten through 12th grade. This tournament is more than just a competitionContinueContinue reading “Upcoming All-Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament in Fremont”
It’s Always Time for Chess Somewhere
In 2026, I have had students who need my services in Russia, Germany, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Hawaii. As a chess coach based in Fremont, California, teaching a chess class in the middle of the night or at dawn forces me to battle my body’s natural circadian rhythm. To be a sharp at odd hours, IContinueContinue reading “It’s Always Time for Chess Somewhere”
CalChess All Girls and Boys Championships
If you love scholastic chess as much as I do, few experiences compare to attending the CalChess All Girls and Boys Championships. This year’s event was held at the Sonesta Silicon Valley, a venue that’s especially convenient for the many chess families from Fremont, as the Milpitas location is just a few minutes south ofContinueContinue reading “CalChess All Girls and Boys Championships”
Chess Chat with Aleksandr G. Aleksandrov
a 9-year-old Chess Talent with a California Dream Since returning to the East Bay, my primary focus has been on fostering chess development in Fremont. However, I remain actively involved in youth chess education at both the national and international levels. Approximately two-thirds of my time is dedicated to working with young players across NorthernContinueContinue reading “Chess Chat with Aleksandr G. Aleksandrov “
Fremont Chess Musings:
Francisco Anchondo Born in El Paso, Texas, on September 30, 1960, Francisco Anchondo first arrived in the Bay Area in November 1983 when the USS Carl Vinson, the aircraft carrier he served on, docked in Alameda. He filled his shore leaves with chess and it was this unfaltering passion for chess which led him toContinueContinue reading “Fremont Chess Musings:”
Fremont Chess Musings:
Richard Shorman The great chess instructor Richard Shorman started traveling to Fremont to help Hans Poschmann with the Fremont Chess Club in 1968. By the end of the 80’s Richard was teaching a popular chess class at the Fremont Library where he trained a young group of talented players known as the Blue Knights. SomeContinueContinue reading “Fremont Chess Musings:”
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 63
Today’s game features an example of the age old struggle between the classical and hypermodern approaches to the opening. My opponent, who was black, employed the Pirc Defense which is a hypermodern opening characterized by the moves 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6. Because there is no early confrontation in the opening, there are severalContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 63”
The Amateur West Championship Transforms the Bay Area into a Chess Hub of Opportunity
This weekend, Sunnyvale, California, is hosting the US Amateur West Championship—a prestigious FIDE-rated event that offers chess players of all ages a chance to improve their ratings, earn recognition, and vie for exciting prizes. Organized by Bay Area Chess, an organization renowned for fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for both local enthusiasts and visitingContinueContinue reading “The Amateur West Championship Transforms the Bay Area into a Chess Hub of Opportunity”
Fremont Chess Musings:
The Father of Fremont Chess After graduating high school in 1996, I attended Ohlone College in Fremont, California. Still passionate about chess, I would check out chessboards from the school library and sought out to learn more about the local chess community. It was during this important period of my life that I met HansContinueContinue reading “Fremont Chess Musings:”
Fremont Chess Musings:
Returning To My Roots https://youtu.be/Q2oyVkUs-78 It was in this house in Fremont, California that my father taught me how the chess pieces moved and we played frequently. He passed away in March of this year. Now I have moved back to Fremont and am continuing his legacy by playing chess with my own children inContinueContinue reading “Fremont Chess Musings:”