As a seasoned chess instructor and the CalChess Scholastic Coordinator, I encourage my fellow coaches to regularly play against their student at odds because doing so is an immensely effective teaching method. By removing some of his/her pieces or pawns, the coach simulates real-world competitive pressures while pushing the learner to sharpen their ability toContinueContinue reading “At Odds With My Student in 2026”
Tag Archives: chess games
California Chess: Historical Figure, Dr. Walter Romaine Lovegrove
Greetings! My name is Chris Torres and I am a chess master who is passionate about California chess history. Today, I look forward to introducing you to another California Chess Historical Figure on my Daily Chess Musings YouTube Channel. Dr. Walter Romaine Lovegrove (1869–1956) holds a significant place in California’s chess history as a pioneeringContinueContinue reading “California Chess: Historical Figure, Dr. Walter Romaine Lovegrove”
Proud Moment for a Chess Dad
As a professional chess coach, I have experienced numerous proud moments over the past quarter century while witnessing the growth and success of countless students. From guiding gifted students to victories at CalChess State Championships, United States Chess Federation National Events and FIDE World Youth tournaments, I have watched my students shape the future ofContinueContinue reading “Proud Moment for a Chess Dad”
Sicilian Wing Gambit: Hold the Sauce
As tasty as the tactics in the Sicilian Wing Gambit Secret Sauce are, sometimes a customer doesn’t want to eat the offering. I refer to the situation when the Wing Gambit is accepted (1.e4 c5 2.b4 cxb4 3.a3 bxa3) but after 4.Rxa3 e6 5.Nc3 Black doesn’t capture the rook on a3 as the Secret Sauce Declined.ContinueContinue reading “Sicilian Wing Gambit: Hold the Sauce”
Sicilian Wing Gambit: Secret Sauce
Approximately sixteen years ago, I uncovered a hidden gem in the Sicilian Wing Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.b4). This new opening trap, now famously dubbed the “Secret Sauce” by my chess students, unleashed the clever sequence 1.e4 c5 2.b4 cxb4 3.a3 bxa3 4.Rxa3. Position after 4. Rxa3 a.k.a. the start of the Secret Sauce trap. NoteContinueContinue reading “Sicilian Wing Gambit: Secret Sauce”
California Chess: Historical Figure, Joseph Redding
Last time, we discussed the important role Selim Franklin played during the California Gold Rush era in establishing a culture of chess in Northern California and later becoming the best chess player in the region. Today, we will look at who he figuratively passed the torch to. Joseph Redding was born on September 13, 1859ContinueContinue reading “California Chess: Historical Figure, Joseph Redding”
California Dreamin’ on Such a Wing Gambit Play
One of the first Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit games Richard Shorman showed me was played by Charles Maddigan. Mr. Shorman described Charles Maddigan as a talented young man from Oakland who “played chess the right way.” Apparently, Maddigan went to the University of California at Berkeley in the early 70’s but dropped out to chaseContinueContinue reading “California Dreamin’ on Such a Wing Gambit Play”
California Chess: Historical Figure, Selim Franklin
https://youtube.com/live/iKU0AAVs0Fk?feature=share A key figure in California chess history arrived with the Gold Rush. Selim Franklin, the son of Liverpool Banker Lewis Franklin, emigrated from England on the St. George in October 1849 to San Francisco where he opened a store where miners could exchange their gold and played a role in organizing the San FranciscoContinueContinue reading “California Chess: Historical Figure, Selim Franklin”
Plenty of Hidden Gems Played at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024
With 1,884 participants(975 in Open and 909 in Women’s event) taking part 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest, there is no shortage of quality chess games to play through. Many outstanding games could potentially go unnoticed so it is important for chess writers to share the hidden gems they find. Once such hidden gemContinueContinue reading “Plenty of Hidden Gems Played at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024”
Photos from the 2024 US Amateur Team West Championship
https://youtu.be/95Z6xHOwAPY Greetings chess players! My name is Chris Torres and this is my daily chess musing for Sunday, February 18th, 2024. Chess is often perceived as a solitary pursuit, with players hunched over a board deep in thought, making strategic moves in isolation. However, this is a misconception, as chess players are very much partContinueContinue reading “Photos from the 2024 US Amateur Team West Championship”
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 ofContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 52”
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 50
What’s better than finding money in an old jacket that you haven’t worn in years? Perhaps discovering a notation sheet to a nice game you forgot you played stuffed inside an old chess book. My old copy of 107 Great Chess Battles, 1939-1945 by Alexander Alekhine. Back in 2013, I recall regularly experimenting with Grob’sContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 50”
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 49
Inspired by the Tarrasch vs Romberg game I previously posted, my own game against a student in Foster City, California is one of my best efforts in recent times. After a long time thinking about how best to respond to 10… Ba6, I am proud to have planned a most effective and epic journey forContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 49”
Get Inspired to Play Better Chess!
Napoleon Hill famously stated “To be inspired is great, to inspire is incredible!” This is especially true in terms of chess. Napoleon Hill Most days I spend quality time searching through chess databases for sources of inspiration. Some days produce less than stellar results while on rare occasions I discover real hidden gems in theContinueContinue reading “Get Inspired to Play Better Chess!”
Playing Against Mittens
I reached an interesting endgame against Mittens by playing the Brooklyn Variation of Alekhine’s Defense (1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Ng8). Check out my game vs @chesscom diabolical cat bot here: https://youtu.be/egBLSeCjNDs
Playing Chess with a Student 1/5/2023
In tonight’s live chess stream, California chess coach Chris Torres uses the infamous “center fork trick” in a training game against a talented student. The chess game takes on a surprisingly tactical flavor and both players are forced to avoid threats of checkmate while in time trouble. https://youtu.be/VFGc3kOB95E
Born on this Day in 1958: International Master Emory Tate
Today is the late IM Emory Tate’s Birthday. If still alive today, Emory Tate would be turning that most special age for chess players: 64. Photo of Emory Tate taken on 10/10/2015 Born on December 27th means that Emory shares his birthday with the second day of Kwanzaa. (Kwanzaa is a yearly celebration of African-AmericanContinueContinue reading “Born on this Day in 1958: International Master Emory Tate”
Chess Memories of Birthdays Past
When I was a younger man, I didn’t need to take a day off to rest on my birthday (December 18th). I much preferred going to work, which for most of my adult life, means playing chess with young people. Kneeling next to Andrew Peng on my birthday in 2012. I turned 35 on DecemberContinueContinue reading “Chess Memories of Birthdays Past”
Winning Chess Moves: Vokhidov vs. Wojtaszek, 2022
The FIDE World Team Championship for 2022 consisted of 12 nation teams and included many illustrious players who are recurring stars on the Daily Chess Musings blog including Anish Giri, Vasyl Ivanchuk, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Teymur Radjabov, Nihal Sarin, and Alexei Shirov. However, the best finishing move of the event did not occur inContinueContinue reading “Winning Chess Moves: Vokhidov vs. Wojtaszek, 2022”
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 48
Position after just five moves. Last night I Played a 5 move miniature with the black pieces that would fit nicely into Irving Chernev’s 1000 Best Short Games of Chess. Enjoy… 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.c4 Nxe5 5.g3 Nxf3#