Tobey Maguire vanquishes the difficulties of playing chess genius Bobby Fischer

It was one of the more memorable things ever said on late-night television. Toward the end of an uncommonly smart interview with a notoriously difficult man, Dick Cavett asked chess genius Bobby Fischer what, in chess, is the equivalent of a home run?... Read the full article via http://ift.tt/1OVwLse

Would chess champion Bobby Fischer have made it today?

The brilliant new Hollywood movie Pawn Sacrifice portrays the life of tormented chess genius Robert James "Bobby" Fischer from his early days as a prodigy to his historic 1972 match, at age 29, with Russian world champion Boris Spassky.... Read the full article via http://ift.tt/1MKpwnA

Tobey Maguire and Liev Schreiber great in ‘Pawn Sacrifice’

The challenge of “Pawn Sacrifice” was to capture the colorful Cold War ’70s, the inner strategies of one man’s paranoid mind and make chess cinematic. Check, and mate.... Read the full article via http://ift.tt/1KrPZT6

Interview | Ed Zwick on ‘Pawn Sacrifice’ and Bobby Fischer’s Superhuman Hearing

"Edward Zwick is a diverse director, to say the least. He came to major Hollywood fame in 1989 with the Civil War drama Glory, and has made several other impressive historical dramatic epics since, including The Last Samurai, Legends of the Fall, and Defiance. He examined modern day warfare with Courage Under Fire and TheContinue reading "Interview | Ed Zwick on ‘Pawn Sacrifice’ and Bobby Fischer’s Superhuman Hearing"

Pawn Sacrifice Special Lesson: Fischer Channels Morphy

To celebrate the release of the movie Pawn Sacrifice, I have decided to put the spotlight on Bobby Fischer's games in many of my group chess lessons. Below, I've attached my notes to the Fischer game that I presented this last Saturday at Achiever Institute in Fremont. If you missed this lesson there, I willContinue reading "Pawn Sacrifice Special Lesson: Fischer Channels Morphy"

When Chess Was King of the City

In the summer of 1972, one of the city’s newspapers did an informal survey to see what patrons in local bars were watching on TV. It was a time before sports bars existed, yet it seemed reasonable to assume that most would be tuned in to watch the New York Mets, who were still inContinue reading "When Chess Was King of the City"

California Chess Classes to Feature the Games of Bobby Fischer

In honor of the movie Pawn Sacrifice, National Champion Chess Coach Chris Torres is pleased to announce two new chess programs that will feature the games of Bobby Fischer.     Beginning September 19, 2015 The Fremont Achiever Chess Team Saturday from 1:00 until 3:00 43475 Ellsworth St. Fremont, CA 94539 (510) 226-6161 REGISTER HEREContinue reading "California Chess Classes to Feature the Games of Bobby Fischer"

Pawn Sacrifice Movie Review

To this day, many consider Robert James Fischer to be the greatest chess player ever. With the entire world watching in 1972, the eccentric genius took on Boris Spassky of the U.S.S.R. in what was not just merely the "Chess Match of the Century", but also the main battlefront of the Cold War. After theContinue reading "Pawn Sacrifice Movie Review"

Rest in Peace Grandmaster Puggly

Below is chess expert Francisco Anchondo's report on the passing of Grandmaster Puggly.     It is my sad duty to report that my infamous great lovely side kick has passed. On August 25 , 2015 at 1145 pm Puggly expired. (Unfortunately I was hospitalized in Vista California and my GM Puggly was with the bestContinue reading "Rest in Peace Grandmaster Puggly"

Bobby Fischer’s Game of the Century

In honor of the upcoming release of Pawn Sacrifice, I present my lesson notes for Bobby Fischer's Game of the Century. 1 GRUNFELD def. Byrne D. - Fischer R. 0:1, 1956. 1. ¤f3 The knight is correctly placed on f3 in so many openings that Donald Byrne is keeping his intentions hidden and not committingContinue reading "Bobby Fischer’s Game of the Century"

Emory Tate’s Magnificent Mate in 4

Below is the conclusion to a chess game from International Master Emory Tate's simultaneous exhibition at the Fremont Summer Chess Camp played on 7/21/2015. For the previous moves, please refer to "Mate in 4 Challenge from Emory Tate's Simultaneous Exhibition at MSJE."                

Mate in 4 Challenge from Emory Tate’s Simultaneous Exhibition at MSJE

Below is a game from IM Emory Tate's chess simul at the Fremont Summer Chess Camp. The simul consisted of 30 boards occupied by many of the top scholastic chess players in Northern California. Emory Tate won on every board and completed the task in under 2 and 1/2 hours. I am purposefully leaving theContinue reading "Mate in 4 Challenge from Emory Tate’s Simultaneous Exhibition at MSJE"

Fremont Summer Chess Camp 2015: Day 14

On our fourteenth day of the Fremont Summer Chess Camp, International Master Emory Tate put on a show by winning with ease against 30 of the top young players in California. Every player who participated received Emory's autograph on their game score and a souvenir photo from the simul. Later in the week, I willContinue reading "Fremont Summer Chess Camp 2015: Day 14"

Fremont Summer Chess Camp 2015: Day 13

Our great coaches made the thirteenth day of the Fremont Summer Chess Camp especially lucky for scores of talented young chess players.       You can still sign up for the Fremont Summer Chess Camp by visiting http://www.ChessAndMusic.com.  

The Final Week of the Fremont Summer Chess Camp Starts on Monday!

Don’t miss your last opportunity to register your child for a chess experience of a lifetime! REGISTER NOW! Only $222 for ONE WEEK   At the Fremont Summer Chess Camp, your child will live and breathe chess while our elite coaches provide them with the most incredible educational experience available.   This class will meet fromContinue reading "The Final Week of the Fremont Summer Chess Camp Starts on Monday!"

Fremont Summer Chess Camp 2015: Day 12

There has been a multitude of great moments during the Fremont Summer Chess Camp and I feel incredibly fortunate to be working with so many intelligent children. Below are some of my favorite photographs from our twelfth day of camp. We still have one more week of the Fremont Summer Chess Camp. Sign up today!