Tag Archives: Chris Torres

MSJE Chess Team Wins Match Against All-Star Team from Berkeley Chess School

Coach Joe’s Report on the MSJE vs BCS Chess Match in Fremont On January 20th, 26 members of the Mission San Jose Elementary School (MSJE) Chess Team played a match against an all-star chess team from Berkeley Chess School (BCS). BCS runs chess programs at more than 50 schools in the Bay Area. More thanContinueContinue reading “MSJE Chess Team Wins Match Against All-Star Team from Berkeley Chess School”

#Chess Lesson Worth Sharing: Carlsen vs. Xiangzhi 2017 FIDE World Cup

One of my favorite jazz artists, Charles Mingus once said, “Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.” In chess, it is quite common for the more confident player to add complications to the position in order to allow him/her more opportunities to prove superior skill. In general, thisContinueContinue reading “#Chess Lesson Worth Sharing: Carlsen vs. Xiangzhi 2017 FIDE World Cup”

Triple Exclam!!! The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior (Special Offer)

This is a limited time offer to own or gift a hardbound copy of “Triple Exclam!!! The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior.” Dr. Daaim Shabazz and I know Emory had many friends in California who have not yet had an opportunity to add Triple Exclam into their library. Daaim has entrusted meContinueContinue reading “Triple Exclam!!! The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior (Special Offer)”

Fremont Back to School Chess Camp

The Torres Chess and Music Academy is pleased to announce a three day Back to School Chess Camp designed to produce rapid improvement in your child’s chess abilities.   On Day one of our Back to School Chess Camp, Chris Torres will show your children illustrative games which demonstrate ultra-sharp opening play.   On dayContinueContinue reading “Fremont Back to School Chess Camp”

The Fried Morra Attack

  Sometimes in chess themes from one opening can directly apply to another seemingly unrelated system. Below is a game in which I tried to play a Smith-Morra Gambit but after black plays an early e5 the game takes on a Fried Liver flavor. Caution should be used when blending these two spicy openings togetherContinueContinue reading “The Fried Morra Attack”

Book a Chess Camp in Your Own Home!

This is an exclusive invitation to have your children spend a week or weekend with some of California’s most popular chess coaches in the comfort of your own home. Let the Torres Chess and Music Academy take away the worry of driving your children to chess camp by booking us to bring our world-class instructionContinueContinue reading “Book a Chess Camp in Your Own Home!”

California Summer Chess Fun

 To this chess coach, Summer Fun in California means exciting chess camps every week of the summer. With chess classes planned every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I organize events for young chess players of all skill levels, including classes with great chess teachers, rated tournaments, chess simuls against grandmasters, chess book talksContinueContinue reading “California Summer Chess Fun”

TCAMA Summer Chess Camps – The Best Value in the Bay Area

At the Torres Chess and Music Academy we pride ourselves in providing truly inspiring chess experiences for the lowest price possible. This year’s San Jose Summer Chess Camp will feature instruction from: Chris Torres (Celebrating his 20th year teaching chess) GM Daniel Naroditsky (Currently ranked in the Top Ten by rating in the United States!)ContinueContinue reading “TCAMA Summer Chess Camps – The Best Value in the Bay Area”

Important Announcement Regarding the 2017 SPFNO 

Dear Chess Community, As a chess coach, there are times when I have had to make the difficult choice to pass one of my favorite students to another instructor in order to better serve his/her best interests. It is never a decision that is taken lightly, not least because of the close bond a studentContinueContinue reading “Important Announcement Regarding the 2017 SPFNO “

More Fighting Chess from the 2016 Chess Olympiad

Today’s featured game from the 2016 Chess Olympiad includes an attack straight out of a chess hustler’s playbook which leads to a victory in just 27 moves. Hats off to Bader Al-Hajiri (Kuwait) and Rodwell Makoto (Zimbabwe) for playing such an entertaining game. Enjoy…   [Event “Chess Olympiad”] [Site “Baku, Azerbaijan”] [Date “2016.9.5”] [Round “4”]ContinueContinue reading “More Fighting Chess from the 2016 Chess Olympiad”

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”

Fremont Summer Chess Camp 2016

Come train with the 2015 and 2016 National Elementary Chess Champions at MSJE! This camp will feature chess instruction by: GM Susan Polgar (Former World Champion and Current Head Coach for the National Collegiate Chess Champions at Webster University) NM Eric Schiller (The world’s most prolific chess author) Jay Stallings (Acclaimed author, chess coach andContinueContinue reading “Fremont Summer Chess Camp 2016”

Puzzle Worthy Position 18

Easy puzzle tonight from a fun victory. What is white’s best move? Complete game: [Event “SocialChess”] [Site “Internet”] [Date “2016.05.03”] [Round “-“] [White “Chris Torres”] [Black “okun’ok (1574)”] [Result “1-0”]  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 O-O 5. d3 Nc6 6. Bg5 h6 7. h4 hxg5 8. hxg5 Nh7 9.ContinueContinue reading “Puzzle Worthy Position 18”

Reader Submitted Question on Spielmann – Capablanca (1928)

Chris, (Child’s name) and I were playing this game and couldn’t figure out why Spielmann won the game (Jose Raul Capablanca vs Rudolf Spielmann 1928) , since it’s not forced mate. Thank you. Best regards, (Parent)     Answer:   Good question! Capablanca is one of my heroes but Spielmann is possibly the most overlookedContinueContinue reading “Reader Submitted Question on Spielmann – Capablanca (1928)”

Kasparov’s Scotch too Strong for So

Garry Kasparov triumphantly returned to top level chess by crushing Wesley So in round one of the Ultimate Blitz Challenge today in Saint Louis. In vintage form, Kasparov played his beloved Scotch in a remarkable victory against the new generation of elite chess players. [Event “Ultimate Blitz Challenge”] [Site “Saint Louis (USA)”] [Date “2016.4.28”] [RoundContinueContinue reading “Kasparov’s Scotch too Strong for So”