Charles Dickens penned “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” as his opening line in his masterpiece A Tale of Two Cities. I found myself pondering Dickens work and applying the opening line to the plight of the poor chess players in two Bay Area cities. As many of my readerContinueContinue reading “A Tale of Two Cities”
Tag Archives: chess games
San Francisco Chess Players No Longer Welcome on Market Street
Since my initial letter to Gavin Newsom expressing concern over San Francisco’s Market Street chess ban, a web-based movement has quickly developed and caused growing concern among chess players internationally. It is our belief that San Francisco’s anti-chess stance was made without regard for the scores of individuals who have benefited from the chess games on Market Street over the lastContinueContinue reading “San Francisco Chess Players No Longer Welcome on Market Street”
An Open Letter to Gavin Newsom
Mayor Newsom, San Francisco has lost one of its more charming attractions. It used to be that pedestrians strolling down Market Street near the Powell BART station would be treated to lively blitz games played by eclectic groups of chess enthusiasts. When in the area, I would frequently find myself battling wits with investment bankers, street merchants, tourists,ContinueContinue reading “An Open Letter to Gavin Newsom”
Anand Is Still World Champion
Viswanathan Anand has secured his historic position among the greatest chess players who have ever lived by defeating Topalov and retaining his World Champion title. It seemed at times as if the unfriendly venue and team Topalov’s psychological ploys might be too much for Vishy to overcome. Anand uncharacteristically missed several opportunities to put Topalov behind him and ended up going into the final gameContinueContinue reading “Anand Is Still World Champion”
Chess Quads for Children
A children’s chess quad run by the Torres Chess and Music Academy is the ideal way for new chess players to begin playing in tournaments. Children are separated into groups of four based on rating and age so that each quad tournament represents the closest chess experience grouping possible. This structure assures that all threeContinueContinue reading “Chess Quads for Children”
Summer Chess Camp
Today was the start of the TCAMA Summer Chess Camp at Mission San Jose Elementary School in Fremont. So far we have over 30 students signed up for this three week camp. The camp which runs from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm features instruction from TCAMA chess coaches Joe Lonsadale, Tans Hylkema, and Chris Torres.ContinueContinue reading “Summer Chess Camp”
Can Kramnik Win With The Black Pieces? Will It Matter?
Between 1989 and 2008 Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik played 51 head-to-head games under classical conditions. The results below show that Kramnik has yet to win a game as black when up against Anand. This is a remarkable statistic based on the number of match-ups these two chess players have had. Vladimir Kramnik’s win with white and draw with blackContinueContinue reading “Can Kramnik Win With The Black Pieces? Will It Matter?”
15 Days Until The World Chess Championships
Tonight we look at another brilliancy from the current World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand. This game was played before Anand was World Champion and after his opponent Anatoly Karpov had lost his title to Garry Kasparov. Once again we see Anand’s desire to be adventurous in the opening by playing the off-beat line 4. e4ContinueContinue reading “15 Days Until The World Chess Championships”
Kramnik vs. Anand 2008 preview: A 1996 game played by Kramnik
Just 18 days until Anand plays Kramnik for the title of World Chess Champion in Bonn, Germany. Below I continue with my preview for this historic match by examining a timeless game played by Kramnik in 1996. Enjoy! In 1996 Vladimir Kramnik played an exceptionally brilliant game as black verses a very strong opponent namedContinueContinue reading “Kramnik vs. Anand 2008 preview: A 1996 game played by Kramnik”
Viswanathan Anand
Viswanathan Anand was born on December 11, 1969 in Madras India. At the age of 14, Vishy won the 1983 National Sub-Junior Chess Championship with a score of 9/9. A year later he became India’s youngest player ever to achieve the International Master title. In 1987, Anand became the first Indian to win the World JuniorContinueContinue reading “Viswanathan Anand”
Nigel Short Forfeited By Cell Phone
The European Union Open Championships took place from September 9th to 18th September 2008 in Liverpool, England. Hometown hero and former world chess champion contender Nigel Short was penalized in this event for allowing his cell phone to ring. Before his game against Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant, Nigel Short turned off his brand new Nokia cell phoneContinueContinue reading “Nigel Short Forfeited By Cell Phone”
Ray Robson Wins Miami Open
Congratulations to13 Year-Old Ray Robson on placing first at the 2008 Miami Chess Open. After nine scheduled rounds, Ray ended in a tie for first with GM Darmen Sadvakasov. Ray defeated Darmen in an Armageddon game to capture first place. Below is the final cross-table as well as a beautiful game to put his achievement in perspective. [Event “Miami Open 2008”] [DateContinueContinue reading “Ray Robson Wins Miami Open”