https://youtu.be/yuYr4RbLTCs Greetings chess players! My name is Chris Torres and this is my Daily Chess Musing for February 13, 2024. It’s almost time for the 54th annual US Amateur Team West chess tournament. A President’s Day Weekend tradition, the USATW is a fun chess event open to teams of four players plus an optional alternate.Continue reading "2024 US Amateur Team West Tournament "
Chess Position Worth Sharing! 154
While scrolling through Facebook, I noticed one of my favorite chess authors posting an endgame study created by one of my favorite chess composers. In a rather fortunate coincidence, this particular king and pawn endgame study fits nicely into a progression of studies I have been giving students to exercise their calculation skills. (See ChessContinue reading "Chess Position Worth Sharing! 154"
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 74
To understand why this mate in 4 puzzle by Josef Halumbirek won First Prize in the Neue Leipziger Zeitung for September, 1929, you first need to solve it. Of course, that’s easier said than done which is why I placed this Halumbirek masterpiece into the “Betcha Can’t Solve This” category! White to move and mateContinue reading "Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 74"
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 52
I have often talked at length about the benefits for the chess student to play a master in a handicapped game (See: “At Odds With My Student”). However, there appears to be a benefit for the master as well. Beginning a chess game at a disadvantage against an amateur player sometimes ignites a fire ofContinue reading "So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 52"
Chess Position Worth Sharing 153!
Today’s chess position is wonderful little pawn endgame study by master composer Josef Holumbirek. It has been stated that “The easiest endings to win are pure pawn endings”(Richard Shorman, 30 Rules of Chess) but certain pawn endgames do require deep calculations to uncover the long variation that leads to victory. The endgame study below certainlyContinue reading "Chess Position Worth Sharing 153!"
The CalChess Journal Honors Richard Shorman
https://youtu.be/4oz5Y6_IE1s View The CalChess Journal Fall 2023-Winter 2024 here OR download it below The-CalChess-Journal-Fall-2023_Winter-2024Download Greetings chess players! My name is Chris Torres and this is my Daily Chess Musing for Saturday, February 3, 2024. As the Editor for the CalChess Journal, I play an important role in presenting stories and preserving the history of chessContinue reading "The CalChess Journal Honors Richard Shorman"
New Ideas in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense
It’s always nice when the top chess players in the world use a chess opening commonly seen in scholastic chess. This was the case in Round 9 of the Tata Steel Masters when Women’s World Chess Champion GM Ju Wenjun avoided possible Fried Liver or Lolli Attack complications by using the Polerio Defense (1 e4Continue reading "New Ideas in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense"
Puzzle Worthy Position 47
The annual Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee is always worth following and 2024 is no exception. Each year, the best of the best come to compete in the Netherlands and, even without Magnus Carlsen this time, there’s been plenty of excitement. Today’s puzzle worthy position comes from the Round 9 chess game betweenContinue reading "Puzzle Worthy Position 47"
Chess Position Worth Sharing 152!
I like to use pawn endgames to stretch my students calculation ability. This process makes sense because precision is imperative in pawn endgames and the only way to determine if a candidate move is accurate is to check it through deep calculation. My readers are aware that I recently discovered the master composer Josef Holumbirek.Continue reading "Chess Position Worth Sharing 152!"
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 73
Solving chess puzzles by master composer Josef Halumbirek is my new favorite pastime. Today’s selection comes from Halumbirek’s entry in the Mémorial W. Von Holzhausen, Österreichische Schachzeitung 1951-52. This mate in 4 is rather approachable and can be solved by examining all of the forced moves available. Still, it’s very satisfying to discover why everyContinue reading "Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 73"
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 51
Recently, a training game against a student created an additional opportunity to discuss an ancient checkmating pattern. In the position below, it is black to move and mate in 2. This one is not to hard to spot especially if you are familiar with the Arabian Mate or take a moment to analyze your checks,Continue reading "So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 51"
Puzzle Worthy Position 46
Born on March 9, 1943, Robert James Fischer is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players in history. Bobby Fischer’s many impressive chess accomplishments include becoming a grandmaster at just 15 years of age, winning the U.S. Chess Championship eight times and becoming a World Champion by defeating Boris Spassky in 1972 inContinue reading "Puzzle Worthy Position 46"
US Chess Online Rated Tournament Scheduled for January 20, 2024
Chess Coach Lauren Goodkind has a really great chess tournament scheduled for January 20th. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a budding chess enthusiast, Coach Lauren’s tournament offers a unique opportunity to test your skills, learn from the best, and make lasting connections with fellow chess lovers. So mark your calendars, tell your friends, andContinue reading "US Chess Online Rated Tournament Scheduled for January 20, 2024"
Winning Chess Moves: Messinger vs. Rack, 1989
Just like an underwater explorer scanning the ocean floor for valuable artifacts, I often scour the chess databases for exceptional moves that have yet to be brought to light. This evening, I journeyed into the vast ocean of chess possibilities, diving deep into the depths of strategic encounters in search of some artifact of humanContinue reading "Winning Chess Moves: Messinger vs. Rack, 1989"
Chess Position Worth Sharing 151!
Chess Composer Josef Halumbirek (3/7/1891 - 6/23/1968) I recently discovered a chess composer named Josef Halumbirek (3/7/1891 - 6/23/1968) whose problems and studies are a real pleasure to work out. Halumbirek’s compositional style reminds me a bit of Sam Loyd’s as his chess problems tend to be rather simple looking at first glance but containContinue reading "Chess Position Worth Sharing 151!"
Fun Friday Chess Classes in Foster City
Chess Coach Chris Torres looking at a fundamental checkmating pattern with his class at Very Sunny Academy. I have fun on Fridays nurturing young minds at Very Sunny Academy in Foster City, California. Each week, I bring my chess equipment and guide a group of passionate young learners on their chess journey. Most classes beginContinue reading "Fun Friday Chess Classes in Foster City"
Fond Memories of Fried Liver
In the realm of fond memories lies a remarkable game that was long forgotten until I recently stumbled upon a notation sheet safely tucked inside of a book. Apparently, at the Fremont Summer Chess Camp in 2013 I played an instructive game against a young student in which I spotted a rook handicap and employedContinue reading "Fond Memories of Fried Liver"
Daily Chess Musings Named Best Chess Website in 2023
2023 had many great moments for the Daily Chess Musings Community. From being featured on Chess.com’s ChessTV to working with GM Vinay Bhat during the Free Online Summer Chess Camp, the past year had many awesome moments. However, being recognized as the Best Overall Website (from a small organization) by the Chess Journalists of AmericaContinue reading "Daily Chess Musings Named Best Chess Website in 2023"
Congrats to the Winners of the August Free Online Summer Chess Camp
It is my pleasure to announce the Grand Prize winners for the July edition of the DCM Free Online Summer Chess Camp 2023. Hours of work and dedication definitely improved their chess and that is an awesome award in itself. Additionally, the top point earners will receive an autographed copy of GM Vinay Bhat’s new book,Continue reading "Congrats to the Winners of the August Free Online Summer Chess Camp"
Congrats to the Winners of the July Free Online Summer Chess Camp
It is my pleasure to announce the Grand Prize winners for the July edition of the DCM Free Online Summer Chess Camp 2023. Hours of work and dedication definitely improved their chess and that is an awesome award in itself. Additionally, the top point earners will receive an autographed copy of GM Vinay Bhat’s new book,Continue reading "Congrats to the Winners of the July Free Online Summer Chess Camp"