Another week and another Wotawa endgame study to challenge your chess ability. This particular study from 1963 is approachable as there are only three pawns and four pieces (other than kings) on the chessboard. However, my calculations kept running into a brick wall until I realized that the winning path challenged my preconceived notions ofContinueContinue reading “Chess Position Worth Sharing 160!”
Tag Archives: chess
Checkmate in Silicon Valley: Celebrating Northern California’s Scholastic Chess Excellence at the 2026 CalChess Super States
Northern California boasts a thriving scholastic chess scene, as evidenced by the ongoing 2026 CalChess Super States at the Santa Clara Convention Center. This afternoon, I explored the tournament floor with my camera, capturing the vibrant atmosphere. While it certainly takes a dedicated team of professionals to orchestrate such an impressive chess event, the realContinueContinue reading “Checkmate in Silicon Valley: Celebrating Northern California’s Scholastic Chess Excellence at the 2026 CalChess Super States”
CalChess Super States: K-6 Championships 2026
This weekend, October 17-18, the Santa Clara Convention Center will host one of the most significant scholastic chess tournaments in California: the 2026 CalChess Super States K-6 Championships, along with the grades 7-12 1000+ tournament. This event is set to draw the region’s top youth chess players, who will compete for prestigious titles and hugeContinueContinue reading “CalChess Super States: K-6 Championships 2026”
Chess Position Worth Sharing 159!
Alois Wotawa is one of several renowned chess composers, alongside figures such as František Richter, Bernhard Horwitz, Johan Axel Åkerblom, Arthur Klinke, and Josef Halumbirek. I first discovered these masters while browsing the pages of the famous German chess magazine, Deutsche Schachzeitung. It was the late Fremont chess pioneer Hans Poschmann who shared his oldContinueContinue reading “Chess Position Worth Sharing 159!”
Grandmaster Andrew Hong Hosts Exciting 30-Board Simul and Lecture in Santa Clara on October 12
Grandmaster Andrew Hong will give a 30-board simul on Monday, October 12, in the heart of Silicon Valley. The event will be hosted by the BAC Santa Clara Monday Night Club located at 2495 Cabrillo Ave in Santa Clara, California. in addition to the simultaneous exhibition, GM Hong will present a lecture and take partContinueContinue reading “Grandmaster Andrew Hong Hosts Exciting 30-Board Simul and Lecture in Santa Clara on October 12”
Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 86
Alois Wotawa (June 11, 1896 – April 12, 1970) was a prominent Austrian chess composer celebrated for his intricate endgame studies and direct mate problems that often featured complex, paradoxical solutions. Renowned in the field of chess puzzles, Wotawa was recognized for his skill in developing rich tactical ideas from simple positions, demonstrating his exceptionalContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 86”
It’s Always Time for Chess Somewhere
In 2026, I have had students who need my services in Russia, Germany, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Hawaii. As a chess coach based in Fremont, California, teaching a chess class in the middle of the night or at dawn forces me to battle my body’s natural circadian rhythm. To be a sharp at odd hours, IContinueContinue reading “It’s Always Time for Chess Somewhere”
Chess Chat with Aleksandr G. Aleksandrov
a 9-year-old Chess Talent with a California Dream Since returning to the East Bay, my primary focus has been on fostering chess development in Fremont. However, I remain actively involved in youth chess education at both the national and international levels. Approximately two-thirds of my time is dedicated to working with young players across NorthernContinueContinue reading “Chess Chat with Aleksandr G. Aleksandrov “
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 63
Today’s game features an example of the age old struggle between the classical and hypermodern approaches to the opening. My opponent, who was black, employed the Pirc Defense which is a hypermodern opening characterized by the moves 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6. Because there is no early confrontation in the opening, there are severalContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 63”
The Stunning Steiner Variation
The French Defence: Steiner Variation (1. e4 e6 2. c4) has a notable history, played by 19th-century figures like Cochrane, Staunton, Loewe, Paulsen, and Lasker, and later by 20th-century masters such as Nimzowitsch, Tartakower, Alekhine, and Rubinstein. Aimed at contesting Black’s central control, especially the d5 square, this aggressive line seeks to create early troubleContinueContinue reading “The Stunning Steiner Variation”
Killer Cochrane Gambit
The Cochrane Gambit was used to good effect as a secret weapon to help my students bring home national titles to Fremont, California. Arising from the Petroff Defense, the Cochrane Gambit is an ultra aggressive line where white sacrifices their knight on move four to draw the black king out early. The starting point forContinueContinue reading “Killer Cochrane Gambit”
The Audacious Albin Countergambit
Teaching the most aggressive brand of chess was my specialty in the 2010’s and many of the most talented young players in Fremont California would flock to me for guidance. Those that trained hard would be rewarded with an ultra-aggressive opening repertoire that featured such swashbuckling favorites as the Fabulous Fritz Variation, the Scandalous ScandinavianContinueContinue reading “The Audacious Albin Countergambit”
Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 85
I found this mate-in-three puzzle by E.H. Shaw, first published by the British Chess Federation in 1936, to be quite a challenge. Ultimately, I spent an hour and a half brute-forcing my way through it to find the solution. During those intense moments of concentration, I was temporarily distracted from my other worries. Perhaps, forContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 85”
Remembering Dakota’s Chess Journey and the Bonds of Family
A “chip off the old block” is a well-known English idiom used to describe someone whose behavior, personality, or talents closely resemble those of one of their parents. While aunts and uncles may not have a catchy phrase to capture how their nieces and nephews develop similar quirky habits, humor styles, or passions, that doesn’tContinueContinue reading “Remembering Dakota’s Chess Journey and the Bonds of Family”
The Fabulous Fritz Variation
Previously, I shared the “Scandalous Scandinavian Traps” I taught in the early 2010s to my star chess group in Fremont, California. When it came to countering the legion of scholastic players attempting the Fried Liver Attack, I chose to introduce them to the aggressive Fritz Variation: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6ContinueContinue reading “The Fabulous Fritz Variation “
Scandalous Scandinavian Traps
A former student from decades past messaged me wondering if I still had a copy of my “Scandalous Scandinavian Traps.” The referenced traps were taught to a star filled group of future chess masters in Fremont, California. As I sit back reminiscing about those spirited Saturday afternoons in Fremont, California, the chess group’s overall enthusiasmContinueContinue reading “Scandalous Scandinavian Traps”
Unlocking Potential: How Embracing Vulnerability and a Growth Mindset Can Transform Adult Chess Players
Over the years, I have achieved significant success as a scholastic chess coach, employing a holistic training approach that has helped many of my students attain the highest accolades in youth chess. Out of the public eye, I regularly achieve remarkable results in assisting adult chess players who have struggled to make rating progress afterContinueContinue reading “Unlocking Potential: How Embracing Vulnerability and a Growth Mindset Can Transform Adult Chess Players”
Empower Your Daughters: Join Us at the 2026 Fremont All-Girls Chess Championship!
Bring your daughters to the 2026 Fremont All-Girls Chess Championship on Sunday, April 26th, in Fremont, California. This exciting event is not only a fantastic opportunity for young ladies in the Northern California chess community to showcase their skills in a supportive and empowering environment, but it’s also a free US Chess rated tournament! EncourageContinueContinue reading “Empower Your Daughters: Join Us at the 2026 Fremont All-Girls Chess Championship!”
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 62
As a chess teacher, I find genuine joy and pride when I lose to a student who beats me with truly brilliant tactic. Such moments affirm my effectiveness as an instructor, highlighting that my guidance has cultivated a sharp, creative, and resourceful player. Watching my student pull off an amazing combination not only sparks admirationContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 62”
At Odds With My Student in 2026
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”