Bakersfield Chess Teacher

Here is a nice recomendation I received from a distinguished Disctrict Superintendent. The Torres Chess and Music Academy  offers schools in California the very best chess experience possible. For more information please visit http://www.ChessandMusic.com   8 July 2008   Letter of Recommendation for  Chris Torres   For the past 2 years Chris Torres has worked with VinelandContinueContinue reading “Bakersfield Chess Teacher”

Bakersfield Chess Tournaments

Date Title Location Address October 25 Fall Chess Classic Sunset Elementary 8301 Sunset Blvd. Bakersfield CA 93307 November 29 Thanksgiving Chess Extravaganza University Square 2000 “K” Street Bakersfield CA 93301 December   No Tournament Scheduled           January 31 Super Bowl of Chess American Elementary 800 Verdugo Lane Bakersfield CA 93312 FebruaryContinueContinue reading “Bakersfield Chess Tournaments”

Rybka Proves It Is Still The Best

Rybka finished first in the 16th ICGA World Computer Chess Championship held in Beijing, China with a score of 8/9 with no losses. For much of the tournament Hiarcs was keeping pace with Rybka but when the two engines played, Rybka was victorious. The other key game for Rybka was against  Junior (2006 World Computer Chess Champion.)ContinueContinue reading “Rybka Proves It Is Still The Best”

Kramnik vs. Anand

Just ten days until the Anand vs. Kramnik World Chess Championship match of 2008! Tonight I present another preview game for the upcoming World Chess Championship match between Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik. The game I chose is a recent example of the two contenders going head to head in a major event.  My analysis is aboveContinueContinue reading “Kramnik vs. Anand”

World Computer Chess Championships 2008

   On 9/28/2008 the 16’th World Computer Chess Championships began in Beijing, China. The IGCA has scheduled an eleven round accelerated swiss tournament format for the top  chess engines in the world to compete for the the title of World Computer Chess Champion 2008. The accelerated swiss structure strikes me as odd being that there are onlyContinueContinue reading “World Computer Chess Championships 2008”

India in the Chess Spotlight

   The sub-continent that invented the game of chess in the sixth century is now becoming the focus of chess in the twenty-first century. Viswanathan Anand, the current World Chess Champion, has ignited a nationalistic enthusiasm for the “Game of Kings” not seen since the Soviet era. Anand has received rock star status in hisContinueContinue reading “India in the Chess Spotlight”

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”

Astronaut vs. Earth Chess Match

International Space Station flight engineer and science officer Greg Chamitoff has no problem playing chess in zero gravity while traveling at 5 miles per second. In fact, he made short work out of defeating the NASA Mission Control Center crew in his spare time while in orbit on the International Space Station. Now comes the real challenge.ContinueContinue reading “Astronaut vs. Earth Chess Match”

Vladimir Kramnik in Germany

   The upcoming World Championship Chess Match against Viswanathan Anand is not Vladimir Kramnik’s first chess match in Germany. In July of 2000 Kramnik played another high profile match in Deutschland. This time his opponent was the highly touted computer program Deep Junior. Because his opponent was a computer, Kramnik used anti-computer strategy that would not workContinueContinue reading “Vladimir Kramnik in Germany”

Earn Money Teaching Chess to Children in After School Programs!

Earn money teaching chess to children in after school programs!The Torres Chess & Music Academy, a nonprofit organization, is currently looking for outgoing individuals who work well with kids. Our schools are located in the Cupertino, Palo Alto, Fremont and San Bruno areas. Join our team now! There is plenty of room for advancement withinContinueContinue reading “Earn Money Teaching Chess to Children in After School Programs!”

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”

Missed A Post

My five month old daughter, Rosaleia Jane Torres has acquired a terrible head cold. Yesterday, instead of posting to this site, I was rocking her to sleep over and over again. I really need to start bragging about my daughter more as most of my students’ families have no idea I am a father. Here goes:ContinueContinue reading “Missed A Post”

Anand vs. Kramnik: Backround Information

Anand vs. Kramnik should provide the most entertaining chess we have seen in quite some time. Below is a comparison of the achievements of these two chess titans.   Vladimir Kramnik’s achievements (source: http://www.vladimirkramnik.com   * 1990 Russian Championship, Kuibyshev (classical) I * 1991 World Championship (U18), Guarapuav (classical) I * 1992 Chalkidiki (classical) 7.5/11ContinueContinue reading “Anand vs. Kramnik: Backround Information”

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”

Countdown until Anand vs. Kramnik

     In 22 days Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik will face off in Bonn, Germany for the title of World Chess Champion. According to my database these two elite chess players have faced each other in 127 official games. On these occasions, Anand beat Kramnik 19 to 15, with 93 draws. Below is VladimirContinueContinue reading “Countdown until Anand vs. Kramnik”

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”

Success during troubled economic times

Most of the Torres Chess and Music Academy’s chess programs have started and it is clear that our organization is on pace for its best year to date. Interesting that this should be the case with the United States economy in a dire situation. I may complain about the 4-5 hours driving time but atContinueContinue reading “Success during troubled economic times”

World Chess Championship?

Here are the new world chess rankings based on FIDE ratings. This makes the upcoming Kramnik vs. Anand match seem questionable in its ability to crown a new world champion. Then again, any match is better than another FIDE farse world championship tournament. 01 Topalov off 2790           02 Morozevich off 2787ContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship?”