Daily Chess Musings

Some Coffee and a Danish Gambit

I felt as though I was following in the footsteps of Dr. Hans Anton Westesson Lindehn by playing the Danish Gambit at Rook-odds. However, Lindehn played without his queen’s rook while I did without my king’s. Additionally, instead of playing at the Café de la Régence, I was playing at Peet’s Coffee. Still it makesContinue reading "Some Coffee and a Danish Gambit"

Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 64

German chess puzzle composer Herbert Ahues (1922-2015) specialized in the art of the mate in two. He composed more than 4000 chess problems and was awarded the title of Grand Master of Chess Composition by FIDE in 1989. Below is one of his final masterpieces first published in the year of his passing. White toContinue reading "Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 64"

Don’t Miss Out on These Exciting FIDE Events from Mission 360 and Bay Area Chess!

https://youtu.be/91tmuvrXwqg 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 theContinue reading "Don’t Miss Out on These Exciting FIDE Events from Mission 360 and Bay Area Chess!"

Francisco Friday for 4/15/22

Francisco Anchondo has spent decades building his reputation as one of the East Bay’s most dangerous chess players. Oftentimes, Francisco is at the chessboard for one reason, and that is to deliver checkmate. Sit beside him long enough and you will learn the art of checkmating. [Event "Casual Blitz game"] [Date "2020.06.04"] [White "Francisco Anchondo"]Continue reading "Francisco Friday for 4/15/22"

A Perfect Equilibrium of Attack and Defense in Chess

We will never have be able to witness the greatest chess players from different historic eras playing matches against each other but that doesn’t stop me from musing about such matchups. Just imagine Paul Morphy launching an all out attack against the great defender Tigran Petrosian. I like to believe that, at least for oneContinue reading "A Perfect Equilibrium of Attack and Defense in Chess"

Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 63

During the mid-nineteenth century, Samuel Loyd was one of the strongest chess players in the United States. However, his real passion was for the compositional art of chess puzzles, not tournament play. Known as the “Puzzle King”, his book Cyclopedia of 5000 Puzzles was published in 1914, three years after his death. Below is aContinue reading "Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 63"

The Third Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Round 9

https://youtu.be/rlYaTU6_8z0 Opening ceremony: Friday Apr 1st, 6:30PM Round Time: Opening ceremony: Wednesday Apr 6th, 6:30PM Round Time (tentative) for 6-day Round 1: Wednesday, Apr 6, 7:00 PM https://www.twitch.tv/dailychessmusings https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyChessMusings Round 2: Thursday, Apr 7, 11:30 AM https://www.twitch.tv/dailychessmusings https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyChessMusings Round 3: Thursday, Apr 7, 5:30 PM Round 4: Friday, Apr 8, 11:30 AM Round 5: Friday,Continue reading "The Third Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Round 9"

2022 CalChess Super State Championships K-8 Day 2

Photos from the Second Day of the 2022 CalChess Super State K-8 Championships The renewal of over the board chess was especially appreciated by the scholastic community at the CalChess Super State K-8 Championships, and it is easy to understand why. What’s not to like about watching hundreds of young people experiencing the greatness ofContinue reading "2022 CalChess Super State Championships K-8 Day 2"

Memories From the First Day of the 2022 CalChess Super State K-8 Championships

Day 1 of the 47th annual CalChess State Scholastic Chess Championships (also known as the 2022 Super States) was a terrific experience full of chess memories. While the kids have all the fun of competing against the best chess players their age in Northern California, the adults have a memorable experience as well. One ofContinue reading "Memories From the First Day of the 2022 CalChess Super State K-8 Championships "

2022 CalChess Super State Championships K-8 Day 1

Back in the Spring of 2020, the California scholastic chess community wondered if this day would ever come. Well here it is: the CalChess Super State K-8 Championships is occurring at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Over the board scholastic chess tournaments is back and it’s better than ever! Please enjoy a slideshow from theContinue reading "2022 CalChess Super State Championships K-8 Day 1"

Francisco Friday for 4/08/22

Even after the Queens leave the board, you still need to analyze all of the checks, captures and threats. In today’s episode of Francisco Friday, White castles as soon as possible but fails to see a check at Black’s disposal. San Francisco Bay Area chess coach Francisco Anchondo punishes this inaccuracy with a beautiful gameContinue reading "Francisco Friday for 4/08/22"

The Third Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Standings

I am unable to broadcast all the rounds due to prior commitments, However, you can still watch along by going to: https://www.chess.com/events/2022-bayareachess-gm-im-norm-2 Opening ceremony: Friday Apr 1st, 6:30PM Round Time: Opening ceremony: Wednesday Apr 6th, 6:30PM Round Time (tentative) for 6-day Round 1: Wednesday, Apr 6, 7:00 PM https://www.twitch.tv/dailychessmusings https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyChessMusings Round 2: Thursday, Apr 7, 11:30 AM https://www.twitch.tv/dailychessmusings https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyChessMusings Round 3:Continue reading "The Third Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Standings"

The Third Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Round 2

https://youtu.be/MUd1qla9yUE Opening ceremony: Friday Apr 1st, 6:30PM Round Time: Opening ceremony: Wednesday Apr 6th, 6:30PM Round Time (tentative) for 6-day Round 1: Wednesday, Apr 6, 7:00 PM https://www.twitch.tv/dailychessmusings https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyChessMusings Round 2: Thursday, Apr 7, 11:30 AM https://www.twitch.tv/dailychessmusings https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyChessMusings Round 3: Thursday, Apr 7, 5:30 PM Round 4: Friday, Apr 8, 11:30 AM Round 5: Friday,Continue reading "The Third Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Round 2"

The Third Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Round 1

https://youtu.be/6GBb7I7x6jU Opening ceremony: Friday Apr 1st, 6:30PM Round Time: Opening ceremony: Wednesday Apr 6th, 6:30PM Round Time (tentative) for 6-day Round 1: Wednesday, Apr 6, 7:00 PM https://www.twitch.tv/dailychessmusings https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyChessMusings Round 2: Thursday, Apr 7, 11:30 AM Round 3: Thursday, Apr 7, 5:30 PM Round 4: Friday, Apr 8, 11:30 AM Round 5: Friday, Apr 8,Continue reading "The Third Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Round 1"

The Eade Foundation Spring Scholastic Chess Classic 2022

Tornelo Sunday, May 8, 2022 REGISTER HERE https://eadefoundation.org/ On May 8, FIDE Master James Eade and Chris Torres of DailyChessMusings.com will come together to present the second annual Eade Foundation Spring Scholastic Chess Classic. The goal of this online tournament is to raise awareness for the Eade Foundation’s goals of promoting chess literacy and chessContinue reading "The Eade Foundation Spring Scholastic Chess Classic 2022"

The Second Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Standings

I am unable to broadcast all the rounds due to prior commitments, However, you can still watch along by going to: https://www.chess.com/events/2022-bayareachess-gm-im-norm-2 Opening ceremony: Friday Apr 1st, 6:30PM Round Time: Round 1: Friday, Apr 1, 7:00 PM – Daily Chess Musings with Chris Torres https://www.twitch.tv/dailychessmusings https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyChessMusings Round 2: Saturday, Apr 2, 11:30 AM https://www.twitch.tv/dailychessmusings https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyChessMusings RoundContinue reading "The Second Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Standings"

The Second Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Round 9

Greetings Chess Players1 Unfortunately, I am busy with lessons all day today, so I am unable to broadcast. But, you can tune into The Eade Foundation’s YouTube channel at 4:00 pm (Pacific) to watch FM James Eade broadcast the final round action at the Inaugural Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm chess tournament. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6UjvvpbE5o Opening ceremony:Continue reading "The Second Mission 360 Bay Area GM/IM Invitational Norm Tournament – Round 9"