My brief remarks on the passing of Richard Shorman, a legendary chess teacher in the Northern California chess community for over sixty years.
Category Archives: Daily Chess Musings
Congrats to the Winners of the June Free Online Summer Chess Camp
It is my pleasure to announce the Grand Prize winners for the June edition of the DCM Free Online Summer Chess Camp 2023. Hours of work and dedication definitely improved their chess and that is an awesome award in itself. Additionally, the top point earners will receive an autographed copy of GM Vinay Bhat’s new book,Continue reading “Congrats to the Winners of the June Free Online Summer Chess Camp”
A Very Sunny Chess Tournament
Daily Chess Musings wrapped up its 2022-23 school year in style with a free chess tournament on Saturday, June 3. My students took this opportunity to show off their chess skills at A Very Sunny Academy in Foster City, California. Titled “A Very Sunny Chess Tournament” this event was was the culmination of another year’sContinue reading “A Very Sunny Chess Tournament”
DCM Spring Invitational Chess Tournament in Los Altos Hills
On Saturday, April 22, I hosted the Daily Chess Musings Spring Invitational Chess Tournament at the Fremont Hills Country Club in Los Altos Hills, California. This was a very special event for me as it was the first invitational chess tournament I have organized since the onset of the pandemic. As is my tradition, thereContinue reading “DCM Spring Invitational Chess Tournament in Los Altos Hills”
Playing with my Student 3/16/23
Chess Coach Chris Torres plays a training game against a talented student and while giving an impromptu history lesson on the Italian Game with references to Gioachino Greco, Nicolas Rossolimo and others. In addition, Mr. Torres thoroughly explains the main strategic themes and tactical motifs of the Giuoco Piano while creating a modern masterpiece worthyContinue reading “Playing with my Student 3/16/23”
Photos from the 2023 CalChess K-5 Scholastic State Championship
This past weekend I was in attendance for the historic 2022-23 CalChess Scholastic State Championship and there was no place I rather be! Bay Area Chess put on a great tournament and as the CalChess Scholastic Coordinator I had the pleasure to review dozens of chess games and saying “hi” to hundreds of friends. BeingContinue reading “Photos from the 2023 CalChess K-5 Scholastic State Championship”
Photos from the 2023 US Amateur Team West Championship Scholastic Chess Tournament
The US Amateur Team West Championship is one of the most enjoyable California chess traditions. A team event, the US Amateur Team West attracts all the usual faces and their friends to compete in a weekend long celebration of chess. Each year there is also a USATW Scholastic Tournament. As a chess coach, Editor forContinue reading “Photos from the 2023 US Amateur Team West Championship Scholastic Chess Tournament “
Upcoming Chess Simul Event in Cupertino, CA
Dear Chess Friends! Happy new year! Hope all is well! I just wanted to let you know that on Saturday, January 28th, 2023, I’ll be giving the annual chess simul with my former chess student, and other good chess players in Cupertino. Here’s more info: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/cupertino/activity/search/detail/14606?onlineSiteId=0&locale=en-US&from_original_cui=true The simul is open to the public for all ages,Continue reading “Upcoming Chess Simul Event in Cupertino, CA”
Born on this Day in 1958: International Master Emory Tate
Today is the late IM Emory Tate’s Birthday. If still alive today, Emory Tate would be turning that most special age for chess players: 64. Born on December 27th means that Emory shares his birthday with the second day of Kwanzaa. (Kwanzaa is a yearly celebration of African-American Culture from December 26 to January 1.)Continue reading “Born on this Day in 1958: International Master Emory Tate”
Chess Photos from the 2022-23 CalChess Grade Level Championship
I had a blast attending the 2022-23 CalChess Grade Level Championship hosted by Bay Area Chess. From the enthusiasm of the young competitors to getting to hear from many fans of my Daily Chess Musings YouTube Channel, I could not have ask for a better way to spend my birthday weekend. I look forward toContinue reading “Chess Photos from the 2022-23 CalChess Grade Level Championship”
Birthday Simul 2022 + Special Emory Tate Chess Lesson
As is my annual tradition, I took an opportunity to play several young chess players in a simultaneous exhibition to celebrate my birthday. This year’s Birthday Simul took place on December 20th (not December 18th) so as not to conflict with The Calchess Grade Level Championships which took place on my actual birthday. The eventContinue reading “Birthday Simul 2022 + Special Emory Tate Chess Lesson”
Chess Memories of Birthdays Past
When I was a younger man, I didn’t need to take a day off to rest on my birthday (December 18th). I much preferred going to work, which for most of my adult life, means playing chess with young people. I turned 35 on December 18th 2012 and went to my after school chess classContinue reading “Chess Memories of Birthdays Past”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 69
My Facebook friend Michael Pasman recently became a World Champion. More specifically, Michael won first place and thus the gold medal for the Studies category in the 10th FIDE World Cup in Composing. Michael Pasman is well known in the chess puzzle community for his compositional knowledge, creativity and his high output of outstanding studies.Continue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 69”
Recovering from Covid. I’ll be Back Soon.
Hello everyone, I am recovering from Covid and will be back soon. Stay safe and don’t forget to play in tonight’s Blitz Chess Monday with Lauren Goodkind event in the Daily Chess Musings Club on chess(dot)com. Sincerely, Coach Chris (Coach Tortoise)
The Free Online Summer Chess Camp Starts Tomorrow!
See you tomorrow (June 13) at 9:00 am Pacific on The Daily Chess Musings Twitch Channel … for the start of The June 2022 edition of The Free Online Summer Chess Camp!
The Menlo Park Chess Club
A couple of my friends have spoken very highly about the Menlo Park Chess Club which has been steadily growing since its launch in the Fall of 2021. On Wednesday evening I visited the club for the first time to see what all the excitement was about. Upon arriving, you will notice the serenity surroundingContinue reading “The Menlo Park Chess Club”
Chess Shorts on YouTube
The fast paced nature of modern life make learning chess on your time in any convenient location the preferred choice for many. This is why I started offering so many chess lessons on YouTube in the first place. However, I have noticed that vertical videos have grown in popularity thanks to smartphones and social mediaContinue reading “Chess Shorts on YouTube”
Blitz Chess Mondays with Lauren Goodkind
Announcing a new weekly chess tournament hosted by the Daily Chess Musings Club on Chess.com. Blitz Chess Mondays with Lauren Goodkind will pair your chess moves with Lauren’s coaching skills which is sure to create lots of exciting chess as well as teaching moments. The Daily Chess Musings online chess club was founded on JulyContinue reading “Blitz Chess Mondays with Lauren Goodkind”
Prestigious Youth Chess Event on May 8!
Held annually, The Eade Foundation’s Spring Scholastic Chess Classic is a must in the calendar of scholastic chess players. Join us on Sunday, May 8th for a five round USCF online rated Swiss tournament while hearing from FM James Eade, President of The Eade Foundation, on the importance of chess literacy, promoting chess excellence and how weContinue reading “Prestigious Youth Chess Event on May 8!”
Don’t Miss Out on These Exciting FIDE Events from Mission 360 and Bay Area Chess!
Organizing a successful IM or GM norm chess tournament is no easy feat. During the planning and lead up there are lots of things that organizers need to pay attention to and keep track of. Whether it’s sending invitations to foreign titled chess players, meeting all of FIDE’s technical requirements, calculating the requisiteContinue reading “Don’t Miss Out on These Exciting FIDE Events from Mission 360 and Bay Area Chess!”