Recently I posted Part 3 of my popular King and pawn endgame homework series. One of my former students (who is now a chess coach himself), commented that he found Part 2 on my blog but couldn’t find Part 1. It seems that somehow it disappeared years ago when I migrated my website. After someContinue reading "Basic King and Pawn Endgames"
Puzzle Worthy Position 52
Mikhail Tal famously stated: "You must take your opponent into a deep, dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one." If a chess game metaphorically becomes a forest, International Master Emory Tate was a tiger. Sometimes, his opponent would almost escape the forest only to be ambushed byContinue reading "Puzzle Worthy Position 52"
Weibel Chess Coaches Face Off in Las Vegas
Francisco Anchondo is a noteworthy chess player and an important figure in Northern California chess history. As a tournament player, he had many successful results including winning the Club Championship at the esteemed Hayward Chess Club in 1994 and 1996. Additionally, he is was part of a very elite club of Fremont chess coaches whoContinue reading "Weibel Chess Coaches Face Off in Las Vegas"
Pawn Endgame Chess Homework
In June of 2008, I returned to the San Francisco Bay Area after working on a two year chess study in the Bakersfield area. Before leaving for Kern County, I was the most successful chess coach in Silicon Valley. However, upon returning several other fine chess instructors had filled the vacuum that I left whenContinue reading "Pawn Endgame Chess Homework"
Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 81
Often in my youth I felt compelled to finish a chess puzzle as I would my homework; it must be done before I could rest. If my mind became too tired to solve the chess puzzle then I would admit defeat and look up the answer. As I have matured, I find the process ofContinue reading "Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 81"
The Mokele-Mbembe and the Dragon
Applying ideas from one opening to another can be tricky as even small differences in a chess position can lead to unexpected outcomes. However, if you note the differences and similarities between analogous chess positions, sometimes you can apply themes from one opening to another with good effect. Side by side position comparison from twoContinue reading "The Mokele-Mbembe and the Dragon"
2025 US Amateur Team West Chess Tournament
Attending the 2025 US Amateur Team West Championship chess tournament In Milpitas, California was an absolutely delightful experience. This chess tournament always brings together a vibrant mix of familiar faces and opportunities for new friendships. Wandering the hallways, I could see how reuniting with old friends added a comforting sense of camaraderie to the eventContinue reading "2025 US Amateur Team West Chess Tournament "
Chess Game Worth Sharing! 2
Unless you are an expert on 20th Century Hungarian chess history, the name Arpad Foldeak likely doesn’t ring a bell. In my personal library, I am fortunate to have two notable books by Földeák. The first is his groundbreaking treatise on the Chess Olympiad entitled “Chess Olympiads 1927-1968.” The second book is a really excellentContinue reading "Chess Game Worth Sharing! 2"
Winning Chess Moves: Yakubboev vs V. Rameshbabu, 2025
Vaishali Rameshbabu is not just an Indian chess grandmaster; she’s a trailblazer in the world of chess. Alongside her brother, Praggnanandhaa, they have etched their names in history as the first brother-sister duo to both hold the prestigious Grandmaster titles. Their remarkable achievements don’t stop there; they also made waves as the first siblings toContinue reading "Winning Chess Moves: Yakubboev vs V. Rameshbabu, 2025"
Touching Grass: Rediscovering Connection and Contemplation Through Chess
The phrase "Go touch some grass!" has become a popular colloquial expression, often used to urge someone to step away from their digital devices and reconnect with the tangible world around them. At first glance, this advice may seem insulting and it may have been meant to. However, I have found that embracing the metaphorContinue reading "Touching Grass: Rediscovering Connection and Contemplation Through Chess"
Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 80
Buddhist monks engage in a form of meditation known as visualization, where they focus on a single mental image that serves as a focal point for their practice. This mental exercise not only enhances their mindfulness but also deepens their clarity of focus. I use a similar technique to focus on solving chess puzzles whileContinue reading "Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 80"
Chess Position Worth Sharing 158!
Mate in 5 puzzles can be rather intimidating to approach. Not only are solvers asked to calculate much deeper than a Mate in 2 but, oftentimes, composed chess puzzles feel like attempts by the composer to trick the solver. In contrast, the Mate in 5 puzzle below is a rather straightforward chess problem that canContinue reading "Chess Position Worth Sharing 158!"
Chess Club at the Lathrop Library
Chess players in Lathrop, California. The Lathrop Chess Club is a vibrant community gathering of chess enthusiasts that meets every first and third Saturday afternoon of the month. Managed by my daughters, this welcoming and free event invites chess players of all ages to join in the fun from 12:30 to 2:00 PM at theContinue reading "Chess Club at the Lathrop Library"
My Brief Thoughts on Chess, Cancer and Facing Challenges
Chess has significantly improved my ability to navigate life's challenges. However, the discipline and resilience I’ve developed through the game are now being put to the test with my wife’s cancer diagnosis. Unlike other tough times, I can’t retreat to the chessboard as an escape from reality. Instead, it’s crucial for me to stay presentContinue reading "My Brief Thoughts on Chess, Cancer and Facing Challenges "
Helping My Chess Student Prepare for the US Junior Congress National Championship
Playing against students is a crucial aspect of a chess coach's role, particularly in preparing them for significant tournaments. In today’s lesson video, I play a final practice with a student before the US Junior Chess Congress. This prestigious tournament, which will occur this weekend in Northern California, has longer time controls so practicing howContinue reading "Helping My Chess Student Prepare for the US Junior Congress National Championship"
Ding – Gukesh World Chess Championship Made Understandable Part 2
After a quiet draw in Round 2 of the 2024 FIDE World Championship Match, Gukesh Dommaraju played with renewed confidence and defeated Ding Liren in an exciting Queen’s Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation which featured the unusual 7. h3. After his opponent’s surprising seventh move, Ding was out of his preparation and to make matters worse,Continue reading "Ding – Gukesh World Chess Championship Made Understandable Part 2"
Ding – Gukesh World Chess Championship Made Understandable Part 1
After suffering a loss in Round 1 of the 2024 FIDE World Championship Match, it was important for Gukesh Dommaraju to stop Ding Liren’s winning ways in the second game. The opening which started out as a Giuoco Pianissimo and evolved into an Italian Four Knights Game may seem a little elementary for the WorldContinue reading "Ding – Gukesh World Chess Championship Made Understandable Part 1"
Free Online Winter Chess Camp December 31, 2024
Thank you for joining us today. Please remember to click on the link 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 right afterContinue reading "Free Online Winter Chess Camp December 31, 2024"
Free Online Winter Chess Camp December 30, 2024
Thank you for joining us today. Please remember to click on the link 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 right afterContinue reading "Free Online Winter Chess Camp December 30, 2024"
Born on this Day in 1958: International Master Emory Tate
Today is the late Emory Tate’s 66th birthday. I miss sitting across the chessboard with Emory. His uncompromising style always kept me against the ropes and his insights on chess improved my understanding greatly. But I miss talking to Emory most of all. On Friday, March 14, 2014, Emory and I had lunch together atContinue reading "Born on this Day in 1958: International Master Emory Tate"