Daily Chess Musings

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"

June Summer Camp Friday 6/16/2023

Thank you for joining us today. Please remember to click on both the links for “JOIN TOURNAMENT” in your group assignments every day to join the tournaments. If you do not join them in advance then you cannot play. Be sure to pay attention after you finish your first game because the next round begins rightContinue reading "June Summer Camp Friday 6/16/2023"

June Summer Camp Thursday 6/15/2023

June Summer Camp Wednesday 6/14/2023

June Summer Camp Tuesday 6/13/2023

June Summer Camp Monday 6/12/2023

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"

Pawn Endgame Worthy of Study

“Pawn endings are to chess what putting is to golf.” — Cecil Purdy Pure pawn endgames are said to be the simplest of all endings but that doesn’t mean they are always easy to win. A case and point is presented in a recent blog post where I shared a blown opportunity in a KingContinue reading "Pawn Endgame Worthy of Study"

The Chess Artistry of Tigran Petrosian

I recently described how chess can be considered an art form so it makes sense that I should also write about one of my favorite chess artists. Many artists had difficult childhoods and that can certainly be said of the ninth official World Champion Grandmaster Petrosian whose parents died before he was 16. Fortunately, PetrosianContinue reading "The Chess Artistry of Tigran Petrosian"

2023 CalChess K-8 Scholastic State Championship

The CalChess K-8 Scholastic Championship is truly one of the most special and memorable events on the Bay Area Chess tournament calendar. I took a stroll around the 2022-23 CalChess K-8 Scholastic State Championship and was quickly reminded why this tournament is commonly referred to as the "Super States!" Enjoy the photos below and lookContinue reading "2023 CalChess K-8 Scholastic State Championship"

The CalChess Journal: Winter 2022-23

Perhaps you’ve heard that the chess scene in Northern California is amazing! See what makes our region special by checking out the Winter 2022-23 Edition of The CalChess Journal. https://www.flipsnack.com/calchessjournal/calchess-journal-winter-2023.html

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"

Why Young Chess Players Should Focus on Pawn Endgames

Opening courses and books get all the love from consumers. However, it is of much greater practical importance for young chess players wishing to get better at chess to spend time mastering basic endgame techniques instead of investing hours of time memorizing lines of openings made fashionable by popular chess streamers. My advice on thisContinue reading "Why Young Chess Players Should Focus on Pawn Endgames"

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"

Chess as an Art-Form

A chess game can be a form of art. Winning generally takes precedence over aesthetic considerations; however, artistic positions can be strived for during the contest. The stronger a player’s ability the more likely he/she will notice aesthetic elements. Oftentimes, master level players will see several accurate possibilities and make a decision based on aestheticsContinue reading "Chess as an Art-Form"

Puzzle Worthy Position 45

Frequent readers of this blog know that Grandmaster Max Euwe is one of my favorite chess heroes. In 1935, chess prognosticators didn’t give Machgielis “Max” Euwe of the Netherlands much of a chance in his title match against World Champion Alexander Alekhine in part because Dr. Euwe wasn’t a professional chess player but rather aContinue reading "Puzzle Worthy Position 45"

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 "

Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 72

The British Chess Magazine really hit the snail on the head by including this wonderful mate-in-2 chess puzzle in the January issue of 1911. I solved this Frederick Forrest Lawrie Alexander composition at a rather sluggish pace which is why I betcha can’t solve this chess puzzle at all! But go ahead and prove meContinue reading "Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 72"

California Chess Players Come Together to Support Scholastic Chess in Africa

The Eade Foundation is sending support for scholastic chess in Capetown, South Africa thanks to some help from the fine young chess players of Mission 360. Readers of this blog will recall an article entitled “NorCal Chess Organizations Working Together in Support of Building Chess Communities in South Africa.” In that post, I described howContinue reading "California Chess Players Come Together to Support Scholastic Chess in Africa"

So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 50

What’s better than finding money in an old jacket that you haven’t worn in years? Perhaps discovering a notation sheet to a nice game you forgot you played stuffed inside an old chess book. My old copy of 107 Great Chess Battles, 1939-1945 by Alexander Alekhine. Back in 2013, I recall regularly experimenting with Grob’sContinue reading "So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 50"