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:”
Category Archives: Daily 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”
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:”
The Stunning Steiner Variation
The French Defence: Steiner Variation (1. e4 e6 2. c4) has a notable history, played by 19th-century figures like Cochrane, Staunton, Loewe, Paulsen, and Lasker, and later by 20th-century masters such as Nimzowitsch, Tartakower, Alekhine, and Rubinstein. Aimed at contesting Black’s central control, especially the d5 square, this aggressive line seeks to create early troubleContinueContinue reading “The Stunning Steiner Variation”
Killer Cochrane Gambit
The Cochrane Gambit was used to good effect as a secret weapon to help my students bring home national titles to Fremont, California. Arising from the Petroff Defense, the Cochrane Gambit is an ultra aggressive line where white sacrifices their knight on move four to draw the black king out early. The starting point forContinueContinue reading “Killer Cochrane Gambit”
The Audacious Albin Countergambit
Teaching the most aggressive brand of chess was my specialty in the 2010’s and many of the most talented young players in Fremont California would flock to me for guidance. Those that trained hard would be rewarded with an ultra-aggressive opening repertoire that featured such swashbuckling favorites as the Fabulous Fritz Variation, the Scandalous ScandinavianContinueContinue reading “The Audacious Albin Countergambit”
Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 85
I found this mate-in-three puzzle by E.H. Shaw, first published by the British Chess Federation in 1936, to be quite a challenge. Ultimately, I spent an hour and a half brute-forcing my way through it to find the solution. During those intense moments of concentration, I was temporarily distracted from my other worries. Perhaps, forContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 85”
Remembering Dakota’s Chess Journey and the Bonds of Family
A “chip off the old block” is a well-known English idiom used to describe someone whose behavior, personality, or talents closely resemble those of one of their parents. While aunts and uncles may not have a catchy phrase to capture how their nieces and nephews develop similar quirky habits, humor styles, or passions, that doesn’tContinueContinue reading “Remembering Dakota’s Chess Journey and the Bonds of Family”
The Fabulous Fritz Variation
Previously, I shared the “Scandalous Scandinavian Traps” I taught in the early 2010s to my star chess group in Fremont, California. When it came to countering the legion of scholastic players attempting the Fried Liver Attack, I chose to introduce them to the aggressive Fritz Variation: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6ContinueContinue reading “The Fabulous Fritz Variation “
Scandalous Scandinavian Traps
A former student from decades past messaged me wondering if I still had a copy of my “Scandalous Scandinavian Traps.” The referenced traps were taught to a star filled group of future chess masters in Fremont, California. As I sit back reminiscing about those spirited Saturday afternoons in Fremont, California, the chess group’s overall enthusiasmContinueContinue reading “Scandalous Scandinavian Traps”
Remembering Dakota: Navigating Grief and the Importance of Asking for Help
I am overwhelmed with sadness over the loss of my beloved niece, Dakota Torres-O’Callaghan. The shock of her passing still lingers, and it’s difficult to find words to fully express my grief. Just a few weeks ago, I was looking forward to celebrating her graduation from Sac State. Instead, I found myself attending her funeral.ContinueContinue reading “Remembering Dakota: Navigating Grief and the Importance of Asking for Help”
Unlocking Potential: How Embracing Vulnerability and a Growth Mindset Can Transform Adult Chess Players
Over the years, I have achieved significant success as a scholastic chess coach, employing a holistic training approach that has helped many of my students attain the highest accolades in youth chess. Out of the public eye, I regularly achieve remarkable results in assisting adult chess players who have struggled to make rating progress afterContinueContinue reading “Unlocking Potential: How Embracing Vulnerability and a Growth Mindset Can Transform Adult Chess Players”
Finding Inspiration from Troitsky
This week has been particularly challenging for me on a personal level. At times, it has felt as though I am confronting seemingly insurmountable obstacles. With no one to turn to, I shifted my focus from my real-life struggles to a Troitsky endgame puzzle, which requires the solver to find a winning strategy from aContinueContinue reading “Finding Inspiration from Troitsky “
In Memory of Douglas Jon Torres (December 03, 1946 – March, 02, 2026)
My dad, Douglas Torres, was born in Oakland, California on December 3, 1946 to Mary and Frank Torres of San Leandro. As a child, he excelled at the steel guitar and bowling. By his teen years, he was already hard at work as an employee in his parents bowling alley in Fremont and playing paidContinueContinue reading “In Memory of Douglas Jon Torres (December 03, 1946 – March, 02, 2026)”
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 62
As a chess teacher, I find genuine joy and pride when I lose to a student who beats me with truly brilliant tactic. Such moments affirm my effectiveness as an instructor, highlighting that my guidance has cultivated a sharp, creative, and resourceful player. Watching my student pull off an amazing combination not only sparks admirationContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 62”
At Odds With My Student in 2026
As a seasoned chess instructor and the CalChess Scholastic Coordinator, I encourage my fellow coaches to regularly play against their student at odds because doing so is an immensely effective teaching method. By removing some of his/her pieces or pawns, the coach simulates real-world competitive pressures while pushing the learner to sharpen their ability toContinueContinue reading “At Odds With My Student in 2026”
Winning Chess Moves: Terrie vs Tate, 2001
On this day, 67 years ago, International Master Emory Tate was born in Chicago, Illinois. He passed away in 2015, but I am committed to continuing his legacy by sharing his chess games and stories. In honor of his birthday, today’s Winning Chess Move is a brilliant endgame tactic played by Emory Tate in 2001.ContinueContinue reading “Winning Chess Moves: Terrie vs Tate, 2001”
A Special Christmas Gift for Chess Lovers
Christmas is here, and what better way to celebrate than by sharing something special with the amazing readers in the Daily Chess Musings community? This year, I’ve prepared a heartfelt gift—a unique piece of content designed to bring joy, inspiration, and a little extra cheer to your chessboard festivities. Whether you’re cozying up by theContinueContinue reading “A Special Christmas Gift for Chess Lovers”
Exceptions to the Rule
Following guidelines are an important way to learn how make better decisions in complex games. Popular examples of basic strategy guidelines are available for such games Backgammon, Blackjack, Go, Texas Holden and of course, Chess. For our Royal Game, the most famous set of basic strategy guidelines are the Thirty Rules of Chess. The ThirtyContinueContinue reading “Exceptions to the Rule”
The CalChess Journal: Fall 2025
Announcing the Fall 2025 Edition of the CalChess Journal I am thrilled to announce the release of the Fall 2025 edition of the CalChess Journal, the official chess magazine for Northern California. This issue is packed with insightful articles on California’s chess history, tournament highlights, player spotlights, and expert analysis to inspire and elevate yourContinueContinue reading “The CalChess Journal: Fall 2025”