In 2018 I lost a good friend and excellent coach, Eric Schiller. Eric was a true gentleman and scholar who during his journey through life acquired a PhD in Linguistics and FIDE Master title in chess. Most will probably remember Eric as the most prolific chess author in history (he wrote over 100 chessContinueContinue reading “Remembering Eric Schiller (1955-2018)”
Tag Archives: chess games
Magnus Carlsen Silences His Critics
The simplest way to silence your critics is to do what they claim you can’t do. They may mock your process loudly but never allow their words to cause you to take unnecessary risks. https://twitter.com/kasparov63/status/1067125702712004609?s=21 [Event “Carlsen – Caruana World Championship Match”] [Site “London ENG”] [Date “2018.11.28”] [Round “Tiebreaker 1”] [White “Magnus Carlsen”] [WhiteElo “?”]ContinueContinue reading “Magnus Carlsen Silences His Critics”
My Favorite #Chess Games: The Second Battle of Hastings
The second Battle of Hastings occurred August 17, 1895, in the tenth round of the Hastings tournament nearly 829 years after William the Duke of Normandy decisively defeated the Anglo-Saxons seven miles northwest of Hastings. In the Second Battle of Hastings, Wilhelm Steinitz conducted a beautifully planned attack which concludes with one of the greatestContinueContinue reading “My Favorite #Chess Games: The Second Battle of Hastings”
My Favorite #Chess Games: The Evergreen Game
I keep returning to the combination of artistry, complexity and romanticism that is the Evergreen Game. The freshness of ideas that occur with close analysis continues to intrigue and inspire each new generation of chess players who choose to explore this breathtaking game. In fact, the actual moves of Adolf Anderssen and Jean Dufresne areContinueContinue reading “My Favorite #Chess Games: The Evergreen Game”
#Chess History Worth Sharing
The “Game of the Century!”
#Chess Puzzle Worth Sharing 61
What is white’s best move?
#Chess Game Worth Sharing
Here is the game which the position from last night’s puzzle originated from. All in all, a fine miniature against the Philidor Defense, Hanham Variation (C41 – Philidor, Hanham variation: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7.) [Event “Blitz”] [Site “SocialChess”] [Date “2017.06.29”] [White “Chris Torres”] [Black “Miranda36_2001 (1567)”] [Result “1-0”] 1.e4 e5ContinueContinue reading “#Chess Game Worth Sharing “
Hidden Gems Abound at the 2016 Chess Olympiads
One of my favorite hobbies is treasure hunting for beautifully instructive chess games during the annual Chess Olympiads. With more than 180 countries each sending their best male and female teams to compete in one event, the Chess Olympiads is a veritable mother load of chess gems. For hunting these chess treasures, I follow alongContinueContinue reading “Hidden Gems Abound at the 2016 Chess Olympiads”
Carlsen vs Anand World Chess Championship 2014: Game 11 Analysis
Timing is critical whether you are playing in a poker tournament at your kitchen table or in the World Chess Championship match. Often times, chess players wait until they are too far behind to play ambitiously enough to win the game. In game 11 of the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship Match, Viswanathan Anand decidedContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand World Chess Championship 2014: Game 11 Analysis”
Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 8 Analysis
After an epic battle of 122 moves in round 7, both contestants returned to the chess board in round 8 looking a little worse for the wear. Carlsen, in a World Championship first, even fell asleep in his chair during the early going of the game. Being a point down in the match, Anand returnedContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 8 Analysis”
Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 6 Analysis
Chess is sometimes a cruel game. I was reminded of this in game 6 of the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship Match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanthan Anand. Early on, Anand dug himself into a hole by choosing passive play and dubious plans. There was a glimmer of hope when Magnus Carlsen tossed him aContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 6 Analysis”
Carlsen vs. Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 1 Analysis
The 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship began today in Sochi, Russia. This is a rematch from last year’s world championship in which Norway’s Magnus Carlsen stole the crown from India’s Viswanathan Anand. Thus far, both players seem much more relaxed in 2014 than they did in their previous encounter. In round one, Carlsen attempted to surpriseContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 1 Analysis”
Carlsen vs. Anand 2014: Rematch of Generations
Former World Champion Garry Kasparov has offered his thoughts on the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship Match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand. Garry Kasparov’s letter is written from his uniquely experienced perspective and hits many of the same points I raised in my own preview for the match. Last year’s first world championship matchContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand 2014: Rematch of Generations”
Why is Fabiano Caruana Dominating the Strongest Chess Tournament Ever?
Yesterday in chess class, one of my students asked me, “How is it possible for Fabiano Caruana to play chess so well?” I answered her by saying that it is a,”Combination of talent, passion for chess, hard work and experience.” When another child asked me about his experience, I explained that, “It takes learningContinueContinue reading “Why is Fabiano Caruana Dominating the Strongest Chess Tournament Ever?”
An American in Tromso
Sam Shankland is sensational in his Chess Olympiad debut. After eight rounds against a difficult international field, Grandmaster Sam Shankland of the United States remains undefeated in Tromso, Norway. Those of us from the United States and especially California couldn’t be prouder of our representative at the 41st Chess Olympiad. Below is my personalContinueContinue reading “An American in Tromso”
World Chess Championship 2013: Anand Stops the Bleeding in Round 7
After two difficult losses in game 5 and game 6, Viswanathan Anand was able to regain his form and create a draw in round 7. To his fans, this was seen as a disappointing result. Anand’s many critics seem unable to comprehend that, “Sometimes, in order to win the war, you must first stop theContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: Anand Stops the Bleeding in Round 7”
World Chess Championship 2013: Anand Loses Again in Game 6
The 2013 Fide World Chamionship Match is close to being over at the half-way point. Viswanathan Anand received his second straight loss after playing poorly in a “drawish” rook and pawn endgame. At the press conference, for the second round in a row, Anand failed to recognize the location of his actual loosing mistake. WhatContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: Anand Loses Again in Game 6”
Anand-Gelfand 2012: Round 6
Game six of the 2012 World Chess Championship between Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand began in exactly the same manner as games two and four. By move six, Boris Gelfand decided to try a different line against Anand’s Semi-Slav. The real fun began when Anand decided to gambit a pawn on move 14. Unfazed by his opponent’s ingenuity, GelfandContinueContinue reading “Anand-Gelfand 2012: Round 6”
National Elementary Chess Championship: Round 1 Brilliancy
Mission San Jose Elementary student Amit Sant destroyed his competition in round 1 of the 2011 USCF National Elementary Chess Championships. I see Amit play every Monday night at the Mission San Jose Elementary Chess Team and his games regularly contain the tactical bravado displayed in the game below. Christopher Rovinski made his firstContinueContinue reading “National Elementary Chess Championship: Round 1 Brilliancy”
Calchess State Grade Level Championship: Round 1
Early results from round 1 of the Calchess Grade Level Championship are arriving. Most of my students were paired with lower rated opponents and had an easy time of it. Below are two nice wins from my students: [Event “Calchess State Grade Level Championship”] [Site “Stockton”] [Date “2010.12.04”] [Round “1”] [White “Matthew, Kate”] [Black “Liu,ContinueContinue reading “Calchess State Grade Level Championship: Round 1”