Author Archives: chessmusings

New Chess Project

  Today I launched a new chess project using Medium and Vine. The concept is simple… just visit my Medium Page to improve your chess in just six seconds a day!

California’s Top Correspondence Chess Players

California has a long and rich history of correspondence chess extending all the way back to the days of the Gold Rush. Below is the list of the top 10 correspondence chess players in the State of California according to the current United States Chess Federation rating list. Panning through the databases for each ofContinueContinue reading “California’s Top Correspondence Chess Players”

Brief Thoughts on the Tracy Almond Hull Fire

I am not usually one to tell other professionals how to do their job but when my family’s health and happiness is at stake sometimes etiquette must be ignored. The amount of smoke and ash that has enveloped our community in Lathrop while firefighters watch the Tracy Almond Hull Fire burn itself out is completelyContinueContinue reading “Brief Thoughts on the Tracy Almond Hull Fire”

When the Student Becomes the Teacher

Third-grader Anuj Balakrishnan did something that had never been done in the 14-year history of the Collins Chess Club. The nine year old defeated Coach Chris Torres soundly after the coach blundered away his queen in a rare moment of carelessness. After gaining the queen advantage, Anuj continued to use all of his pieces andContinueContinue reading “When the Student Becomes the Teacher”

Memorial Weekend Sales Event for the Fremont Summer Chess Camp

Summer is rapidly approaching and that means it’s almost time for the annual Fremont Summer Chess Camp at Mission San Jose Elementary School in Fremont, California. Our summer chess camp features coaches with decades of chess teaching experience who annually create a summer camp that is fun, competitive and educational.  All camp attendees will receiveContinueContinue reading “Memorial Weekend Sales Event for the Fremont Summer Chess Camp”

My Quora answer to: “How do you get paid for teaching chess?”

The first obvious requirement for earning money teaching chess is that you need to be able to play chess well. This of course doesn’t mean that you have be a grandmaster level chess player but you do need be able to teach from a position of authority which means that you should at least beContinueContinue reading “My Quora answer to: “How do you get paid for teaching chess?””

Fremont’s MSJE Wins its Third National Elementary Chess Championship!

Mission San Jose Elementary School hasn’t just won a third National USCF K-6 Championship in just seven years. They’ve become a scholastic chess dynasty! And if ever a dynasty needs an icon, Head Coach Joe Lonsdale can fill that role quite capably for the MSJE Chess Team.   Perhaps you haven’t heard of Joe LonsdaleContinueContinue reading “Fremont’s MSJE Wins its Third National Elementary Chess Championship!”

Emory Tate’s European Tour de Force

  International Master Emory Tate certainly put on quite a show in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In just the first six rounds of the 2015 Pathena Open, Emory won six times guaranteeing him a first place finish in the strong event. This dominating performance against a tough international field is just the first leg of Emory Tate’sContinueContinue reading “Emory Tate’s European Tour de Force”

MSJE Wins Big at the 2015 Calchess Super States

Coach Joe’s report on Mission San Jose Elementary School’s championship performance at the Calchess Scholastic State Championship. The 2015 Northern California Scholastic Chess Championships were held the weekend of April 26th and 27th at the Santa Clara convention center.  Over 900 students and more the 50 schools competed in these championships.  Mission San Jose ElementaryContinueContinue reading “MSJE Wins Big at the 2015 Calchess Super States”