Doug Torres in action.Doug Torres, the modest guitar maestro with unparalleled teaching abilities, is about to start his 48th year as the classical guitar master at Ohlone College in Fremont, California. Creator of the Ohlone College classical guitar program in 1969, a youthful Doug Torres used his energies to establish classical guitar into the classicalContinueContinue reading “Fremont Master Guitarist to Begin his 48th Year at Ohlone College”
Author Archives: chessmusings
3rd Annual Greater California Scholastic Chess Championship
Over the weekend(August 12-13,) I had the pleasure of attending the 3rd Annual Greater California Scholastic Chess Championship held by the American Chess Academy at the beautiful Maple Park Community Center in Glendale, California. The event was sponsored by the Kasparov Chess Foundation and Beyond Chess assisted the ACA with event management. It was aContinueContinue reading “3rd Annual Greater California Scholastic Chess Championship”
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 59
White to move and mate in two.
Triple Exclam!!! The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior (Special Offer)
This is a limited time offer to own or gift a hardbound copy of “Triple Exclam!!! The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior.” Dr. Daaim Shabazz and I know Emory had many friends in California who have not yet had an opportunity to add Triple Exclam into their library. Daaim has entrusted meContinueContinue reading “Triple Exclam!!! The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior (Special Offer)”
Fremont Back to School Chess Camp
The Torres Chess and Music Academy is pleased to announce a three day Back to School Chess Camp designed to produce rapid improvement in your child’s chess abilities. On Day one of our Back to School Chess Camp, Chris Torres will show your children illustrative games which demonstrate ultra-sharp opening play. On dayContinueContinue reading “Fremont Back to School Chess Camp”
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 58
White to move and mate in 7.
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 57
White to move and mate in 7.
#Chess History Worth Sharing
One time, while playing chess at a social gathering in Paris, Benjamin Franklin captured his opponent’s king after she inadvertently placed it into check. When she stated, “Ah, we don’t take kings so…” Benjamin Franklin responded, “We do in America!”
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 56
White to move and mate in 3.
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 55
White to move and mate in 2.
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 54
Tonight I share another tricky position from my summer camp lesson on endgames. White to move and mate in 4.
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 53
Another endgame study that’s guaranteed to amaze your students! White to move and mate in 3.
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 52
Another favorite from chess camp with a truly amazing solution! White to move and mate in 4.
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 51
Here is a simple endgame study that was very popular at chess camp. White to move and win.
Triple Exclam!!! The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior (review)
Emory Tate was more than an International Master at chess. He was an icon of African American chess, a poet, a fighter, a father, a wordsmith and an oftentimes misunderstood genius. To many in the chess world, Emory was a boastful stranger and, to a lucky few, a good friend. Emory acquired legions of fansContinueContinue reading “Triple Exclam!!! The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior (review)”
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 50
White to move and mate in 3.
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 49
White to move and mate in 4.
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 48
How can white checkmate black in only two moves?
The Fried Morra Attack
Sometimes in chess themes from one opening can directly apply to another seemingly unrelated system. Below is a game in which I tried to play a Smith-Morra Gambit but after black plays an early e5 the game takes on a Fried Liver flavor. Caution should be used when blending these two spicy openings togetherContinueContinue reading “The Fried Morra Attack”
Book a Chess Camp in Your Own Home!
This is an exclusive invitation to have your children spend a week or weekend with some of California’s most popular chess coaches in the comfort of your own home. Let the Torres Chess and Music Academy take away the worry of driving your children to chess camp by booking us to bring our world-class instructionContinueContinue reading “Book a Chess Camp in Your Own Home!”