Emory Tate’s European Tour de Force

  International Master Emory Tate certainly put on quite a show in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In just the first six rounds of the 2015 Pathena Open, Emory won six times guaranteeing him a first place finish in the strong event. This dominating performance against a tough international field is just the first leg of Emory Tate’sContinueContinue reading “Emory Tate’s European Tour de Force”

MSJE Wins Big at the 2015 Calchess Super States

Coach Joe’s report on Mission San Jose Elementary School’s championship performance at the Calchess Scholastic State Championship. The 2015 Northern California Scholastic Chess Championships were held the weekend of April 26th and 27th at the Santa Clara convention center.  Over 900 students and more the 50 schools competed in these championships.  Mission San Jose ElementaryContinueContinue reading “MSJE Wins Big at the 2015 Calchess Super States”

Calchess Super States 2015

The Calchess Super States(Calchess Scholastic State Championships) is occurring this weekend at the Santa Clara Convention Center. For most, it will be an occasion for games to be won, rivalries to be rekindled and large trophies to be distributed. For myself, weekends like these are all about celebrating chess and teaching hundreds of young brightContinueContinue reading “Calchess Super States 2015”

Susan Polgar Foundation’s National Open for Girls and Boys: Results and Thank You

Dear Chess Parents and Coaches,Thank you for signing your children up for the 2015 Susan Polgar Foundation’s National Open for Girls and Boys. Organizing a tournament of this magnitude is a challenge and was a phenomenal success because of the players, coaches and parents who chose to devote their weekend to scholastic chess. Our entire tournament staff isContinueContinue reading “Susan Polgar Foundation’s National Open for Girls and Boys: Results and Thank You”

Preparing for the Susan Polgar Foundation’s National Open for Girls and Boys: Part 3

or Why You should be Using Coach Jay’s Chess Academy to train your child With only twenty days left before the Susan Polgar Foundation’s National Open for Girls and Boys, do you ever wonder what you can do to prepare for the event with your child. If you download Coach Jay’s Chess Academy you literally canContinueContinue reading “Preparing for the Susan Polgar Foundation’s National Open for Girls and Boys: Part 3”

Preparing for the Susan Polgar Foundation’s Nationwide Open for Girls and Boys: Part 2

As your child gets more excited about playing in the Susan Polgar Foundation’s Nationwide Open for Girls and Boys you are likely wondering what you, as a parent, can do during the next forty days to maximize your child’s chances of playing well. Perhaps the most important aspect of preparing for a major chess championshipContinueContinue reading “Preparing for the Susan Polgar Foundation’s Nationwide Open for Girls and Boys: Part 2”

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 10 Analysis

The tenth game of the 2014 FIDE World Championship Match between two of most talented chess players ever was a study in adaptation. Anand opened, as I expected he would, with “1.d4” and Magnus Carlsen chose to play the Grunfeld Defense. A brilliant strategist, Viswanathan Anand knew that he could not play against the GrunfeldContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 10 Analysis”

Carlsen vs. Anand World Chess Championship 2014: Game 9 Analysis

Game 9 of the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship was completed before most of my chess pals in the U.S. had even woken up. After a mere 20 moves, Anand and Carlsen played to a draw by threefold repetition(the same position occurring three times in a game.) For Anand, an easy draw with the blackContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand World Chess Championship 2014: Game 9 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 7 Analysis

The best chess education available comes from attempting to grasp the work of the greatest masters. In game 7 of the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship Match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, students of the game are treated to a battle between the great master of maneuvering and the great master of the fortress.ContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 7 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 5 Analysis

With both players even after four games and Magnus Carlsen due to get the white pieces in rounds 6 and 7, it was important for Viswanathan Anand to make good use of being white in round 5. Vishy once again began with “1. d4” but this time, a more prepared Carlsen, demonstrated his incredible knowledgeContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 5 Analysis”

Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 4 Analysis

After a disappointing loss in Game 3, Magnus Carlsen returned with the white pieces and played “1. e4” in game 4 of the 2014 FIDE World Championship. Viswanathan Anand replied with c5 and the hopes of again proving that his opening preparation is superior to the young Norwegian’s. However, Magnus opted out of the mainContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 4 Analysis”

Carlsen vs Anand 2014 Word Chess Championship: Game 3 Analysis

Viswanathan Anand was in a desperate search for a victory in Round 3 and he found it! A large portion of today’s game followed established Queen’s Gambit Declined Theory. On move seventeen, it was obvious by Magnus Carlsen’s agonized expression and long pause that he was unprepared for Anand’s Ng5. What followed was a brilliant displayContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 Word Chess Championship: Game 3 Analysis”

Carlsen vs. Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 2 Analysis

Game 2 of the 2014 Fide World Championship between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand will likely set the tone for the rest of the match. Magnus Carlsen chose to begin with 1) e4 and Anand attempted to steer the game into an early endgame by way of the Berlin Defense. (Those who followed last yearsContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 2 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”

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?”