The chess homework in section two is all about king and pawn endgames. I selected some of my favorite instructional problems of this kind and placed them in order of ascending difficulty. If your child is stumped by any of these problems he/she should seek out a Torres Chess and Music Academy teacher for an explanation. Remember to "like" the TorresContinue reading "Chess Homework 2"
Chess Homework: 1
Below is the Torres Chess and Music Academy's chess homework section 1. Find the best line for white in all the problems.
Russia vs USA Chess Match
Forty years after the greatest American chess player, Bobby Fischer, slayed Boris Spassky and the Russians to win the World Chess Championship, another classic chess battle between East and West will taking place. Officially starting on February first, 2013, Russia and the United States will do battle in a correspondence chess match for honor and pride. The last time a matchContinue reading "Russia vs USA Chess Match"
Useful Junk: The Jerome Gambit
Below is another interesting game where I played the Jerome Gambit against my student, Iddo Zohar. The Jerome Gambit is an unsound specialty of mine which I like to categorize as "useful junk." Iddo Zohar is a very talented junior chess player who you will definitely here more about in future posts. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.Continue reading "Useful Junk: The Jerome Gambit"
Eight Year Old Wins Big in Las Vegas
Torres Chess & Music Academy, Inc. 16691 Colonial TrailLathrop, CAPhone (661) 699-8348 Chesslessons@aol.com Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 31, 2012 Eight Year Old Wins Big in Las Vegas (Las Vegas, Nevada, December 26-30, 2012)When Ben Rood walks through a casino in Las Vegas it isn’t to win money on the Craps Tables but insteadContinue reading "Eight Year Old Wins Big in Las Vegas"
Paul Morphy’s Christmas Miracle
When Adolf Anderssen arrived in Paris on December 15, 1858, Paul Morphy was gravely ill. Doctors were treating his influenza with leeches and blood-letting. Despite Morphy being too weak to stand from his bed, the two strongest chess players in the world decided to play a chess match as this encounter would likely be their last. No moneyContinue reading "Paul Morphy’s Christmas Miracle"
Perfect Hanukkah Gifts for Young Chess Players
With Hanukkah right around the corner, a few Jewish chess parents have inquired about chess related gifts for their little tournament players. After answering their questions directly, I thought it might be useful to post my suggestions for everyone to see. Perfect Hanukkah Gifts for Young Chess Players: Today's young chess players are able toContinue reading "Perfect Hanukkah Gifts for Young Chess Players"
Bay Area Winter Chess Camp
A special winter chess camp located in the San Francisco Bay Area is being run by nationally acclaimed chess teacher Chris Torres. The Fremont Winter Chess Camp will feature California's best chess teachers useing their decades of chess experience to create a winter camp that is fun, competitive and educational. Camp highlights will include incredible lessons,Continue reading "Bay Area Winter Chess Camp"
Anna Ushenina is the New Women’s World Chess Champion
Congratulations to my friend Anna Ushenina on becoming the World Women's Chess Champion. Anna, who lives in the Ukraine played forceful yet beautiful chess throughout the long event. In the end it was her uncompromising attitude at the board that allowed her to defeat the other players and become the fourteenth Women's World Chess Champion. Below is my favorite game that Anna UsheninaContinue reading "Anna Ushenina is the New Women’s World Chess Champion"
Philidor Counter Gambit: Torres Variation
Below is my contribution to the theory of the Philidor Counter-Gambit(1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5.) According to my databases, I am the first and only player to employ exd4 after white plays 4 d3. I feel that the "Torres Variation" gives black a fine game with interesting play for both sides.Continue reading "Philidor Counter Gambit: Torres Variation"
How to Beat Houdini at Chess
Below is a game I played against Houdini 3 on FICS. This version of Houdini is 64 bit running on a Intel Quad Core 2.93Ghz with 6Gigs of Ram. This was my first attempt against this program and I think I did pretty well. In fact, I believe that with an improvement or two I could haveContinue reading "How to Beat Houdini at Chess"
USCF Ban on Music
On November 16, 2012 the United States Chess Federation announced updated scholastic regulations that prohibit the use of personal music players and headphones. This move was made in order to defend against perceived threats to the integrity of over-the -board chess caused by electronic devices being used as a tool for cheating. In a bold contradiction of logic,Continue reading "USCF Ban on Music"
Chess Wisdom and Philosophy from Twitter
Here is a collection of my chess wisdom from @TorresChess. If you are not following me on Twitter, then you are missing out on some interesting discussions. 11/5 Chris Torres@TorresChess It is beyond coincidence that chess and music produce child prodigies with a much greater frequency than that of other intellectual pursuits. -Chris Torres 11/7Continue reading "Chess Wisdom and Philosophy from Twitter"
Bay Area Kids Dominate at the World Youth Chess Championship
Young chess players from the San Francisco Bay Area took Maribor, Slovenia by storm this November. Their dominating performance at the World Youth Chess Championships once again proved that the best scholastic chess in the country takes place in Northern, California. Cameron Wheeler’s silver medal performance at the 2012 World Youth Chess Championship is theContinue reading "Bay Area Kids Dominate at the World Youth Chess Championship"
World Youth Chess Championships 2012: Half Time for Team USA
Today was the break day for the young chess players competing at the World Youth Chess Championships in Maribor, Slovenia. Team USA is particularly dominant in the U12 Open where American chess masters Samuel Sevian and Jeffrey Xiong are tied for first and will be playing on board 1 in round 7. Only a half point behind and tied for secondContinue reading "World Youth Chess Championships 2012: Half Time for Team USA"
World Youth Chess Championships 2012: Round 3 Preview
California's top young chess stars are once again proving that the kids in the Golden State play world-class chess. Several remain undefeated and nearly all remain in contention for the gold after the first two rounds of the World Youth Chess Championships. Round 3 has some interesting match-ups. Here are the games to keep an eyeContinue reading "World Youth Chess Championships 2012: Round 3 Preview"
World Youth Chess Championships: Team USA Results
Want to know what's happening behind the scenes at the 2012 World Youth Chess Championships in Maribor, Slovenia? Please follow me on Twitter @TorresChess or on Facebook.
World Youth Chess Championships 2012
The 2012 World Youth Chess Championships in Maribor, Slovenia will be played according to this schedule: Round 1 is Thursday November 8 at 15:00 Round 2 is Friday November 9 at 15:00 Round 3 is Saturday, November 10 at 15:00 Round 4 is Sunday, November 11 at 15:00 Round 5 is Monday, November 12Continue reading "World Youth Chess Championships 2012"
On the Eve of Greatness: Part Two
Tomorrow two of my favorite young chess players will begin play at the World Youth Chess Championship in Maribor, Slovenia. As the President of the Torres Chess and Music Academy, I have had the distinct pleasure of coaching many of the top ranking scholastic chess players from California and can comfortably state that the two players describedContinue reading "On the Eve of Greatness: Part Two"
Press Release for Fremont Achiever Chess Team
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Mrs. Feliza Hsu, Program Director for Achiever Institute 43475 Ellsworth Street Fremont, CA 94539 510-226-6161, hello@achieverinstitute.org http://achieverinstitute.org/ <America's Top Chess Teacher Returns to Fremont> <11/5/2012> - The Fremont Achiever Chess Team has a very special chess program designed and taught by America's top chess instructor, Chris Torres. This class will provide experienced tournament players with instructionContinue reading "Press Release for Fremont Achiever Chess Team"