March’s Chess Combination of the Month

“Chess is 99% tactics” – Richard Teichmann   Richard Teichmann (24 December 1868 – 15 June 1925) was an excellent chess teacher and a powerful chess player from Germany. This month tactical shot is dedicated to him.     Below is the entire game. The answer to the puzzle is in bold font. [Event “Training Game”]ContinueContinue reading “March’s Chess Combination of the Month”

Crime and Punishment on the Chessboard (Tijuana Style!)

  Francisco Anchondo showed me another example of why players throughout Mexico revere his chess skills.   [Event “Blitz”] [Site “Tijuana, Mexico”] [Date “14.1.26”] [Round “”] [White “Anchondo, Francisco”] [Black “Morales, Juan”] [Result “”] [Eco “D00”] [Annotator “Chris Torres”] {[Blackmar-Diemer Gambit,D00]} 1.d4 d5 2.e4 {!} {Francisco is usually happy to gambit a couple pawns toContinueContinue reading “Crime and Punishment on the Chessboard (Tijuana Style!)”

The Future of Chess has Arrived at River Islands Technology Academy in Lathrop, California

The Torres Chess and Music Academy brings chess instruction to the twenty-first century classroom. Parents in Lathrop, California are growing accustomed to seeing their kindergartener’s eyes glued to the screen of an iPad. Often times their child isn’t watching a movie or playing a kid’s game. Instead, kindergarteners around town are turning to the iPadContinueContinue reading “The Future of Chess has Arrived at River Islands Technology Academy in Lathrop, California”

An Open Letter to Mr. Albert Garibaldi, Superintendent: Banta School District

Mr. Albert Garibaldi, Superintendent: Banta School District First of all, let me congratulate you on the success of Banta Elementary School District’s charter with the River Island Technology Academy in Lathrop. I have been involved in education for 16 years and have never witnessed the birth of such an ambitious undertaking. Under the leadership ofContinueContinue reading “An Open Letter to Mr. Albert Garibaldi, Superintendent: Banta School District”

World Chess Championship 2013: Anand Drops His Sword in Round 9

Behind by two points with a maximum of four rounds left,  Anand had to attack with the white pieces in round 9 because he faced the grim prospect of never having another opportunity to make the first move as a World Champion again. Vishy chose “pawn to d4” as his first move in, what willContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: Anand Drops His Sword in Round 9”

World Chess Championship 2013: A Flawless Draw in Round 8

  I actually really enjoyed round 8 of the 2013 Fide World Championship Chess Match. First off, Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand played an opening variation of the Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense that has not been used in World Championship play since 1886! Secondly, Carlsen and Anand played a flawless chess game and continued toContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: A Flawless Draw in Round 8”

World Chess Championship 2013: Anand Loses Again in Game 6

The 2013 Fide World Chamionship Match is close to being over at the half-way point. Viswanathan Anand received his second straight loss after playing poorly in a “drawish” rook and pawn endgame. At the press conference, for the second round in a row, Anand failed to recognize the location of his actual loosing mistake. WhatContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: Anand Loses Again in Game 6”

World Chess Championship 2013: Carlsen Wins Game 5!

In Round 5 of the 2013 Fide World Chess Championship Match, Magnus Carlsen delivered a figurative punch to the gut of the Champion, Viswanathan Anand. It has become clear that Magnus Carlsen respects Viswanathan Anand’s  opening knowledge much more than he respects his actual chess skills. Carlsen’s plan with the white pieces has been toContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: Carlsen Wins Game 5!”

World Chess Championship 2013: Anand vs. Carlsen Game 3

The third game of the Anand-Carlsen World Chess Championship Match was perhaps the most exciting and revealing game yet. Magnus Carlsen employed the Reti Opening as white but it was Anand who seemed better prepared for its complexities. After gaining an advantage, Vishy, as in game 2, failed to take the risks necessary to reallyContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: Anand vs. Carlsen Game 3”

World Chess Championship 2013: Anand vs. Carlsen Game 2

So, as in game 1, the second round of the 2013 World Chess Championship ended in a rather short draw. Many chess enthusiasts feel that this is the sort of play that gives chess a bad name among sports writers and casual fans. However, this is far to simplistic of a view point given theContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: Anand vs. Carlsen Game 2”

Why You Should Care About the Upcoming World Chess Championship Match

On November 9, 2013 the world is going to stop. Billions of people around the globe will be watching live as two titans clash in what may be the greatest chess match ever played. Viswanathan Anand, the Pride of India, will be taking on the charismatic “Mozart of Chess,” Magnus Carlsen.  By the end ofContinueContinue reading “Why You Should Care About the Upcoming World Chess Championship Match”

World Chess Championship 2013: Preview 3 of the Anand-Carlsen Match

In our third preview game of the 2013 World Chess Championship Match between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen, we are going to examine a stunning defeat of Anand at the hands of the cunning Russian chess player, Alexander Morozevich. In my humble opinion, this game clearly illustrates what is perhaps the best strategy for MagnusContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: Preview 3 of the Anand-Carlsen Match”

World Chess Championship 2013: Preview 1 of the Anand-Carlsen Match

With the Anand-Carlsen World Championship Match just days away, I have decided to start posting some of my favorite games played by either Viswanathan Anand or Magnus Carlsen. Our first game is taken from the 2003 World Youth Chess Championships. In the gem below, a fourteen-year-old Magnus Carlsen drops the “hammer” on his fellow Norwegian.ContinueContinue reading “World Chess Championship 2013: Preview 1 of the Anand-Carlsen Match”

The Torres Chess and Music Academy Has Big Plans for Fremont

The President of the TCAMA reports on an upcoming Open House Event in Northern California. Fremont, California (PRWEB) October 22, 2013 On November 2, 2013, the Torres Chess and Music Academy will be having its annual Open House in Fremont, California. The TCAMA Open House allows children the opportunity to take part in an afternoonContinueContinue reading “The Torres Chess and Music Academy Has Big Plans for Fremont”

Chris Torres: A Chess Coach, a Music Teacher, and an Advocate for Quality Education.

Chris Torres has been successfully managing and creating school chess programs for his entire adult life. His most recognized accomplishments include the co-founding of Success Chess Schools, the creation of the Torres Chess and Music Academy and consistently coaching the best young chess players in California for 15 years. Chris found himself drawn into chessContinueContinue reading “Chris Torres: A Chess Coach, a Music Teacher, and an Advocate for Quality Education.”

Students Achievements

Congratulations to Luke Zhao on defeating his coach, Chris Torres, during our class at Achiever Institute in Fremont California. Luke has been playing extremely good chess lately and will definitely be a leader in Mission San Jose Elementary School’s charge to win another National Chess Championship. For his win, Luke received a trophy as wellContinueContinue reading “Students Achievements”

Top 10 Reasons Your Child Should Attend the Fremont Summer Chess Camp

Your child should attend the Fremont Summer Chess Camp at Mission San Jose Elementary School because: 10. He/she wants to train with the current National Elementary Chess Champions 9. Mission San Jose Elementary School has a beautiful campus and is conveniently located in Fremont, California. 8. The price is only $185.00/week and we offer multi-week discounts.ContinueContinue reading “Top 10 Reasons Your Child Should Attend the Fremont Summer Chess Camp”

Calchess Scholastic Winter Chess Report

Below is an excerpt from the Calchess Scholastic Coordinator’s Winter Chess Report: In January, Ray Orwig once again did a stellar job running the Calchess Girls’ State Championship in San Rafael. This was Ray’s seventh year running this event and, as always, it proved to be an ideal showcase for California’s girls to demonstrate theirContinueContinue reading “Calchess Scholastic Winter Chess Report”

Torres Chess and Music Academy All Star Team

Congratulations to Amir Dhami, Daniel Mendelevitch, Iddo Zohar, Adrian (Adi) Kisieu and Amar Dhami for being selected onto the 2013 Torres Chess and Music Academy’s All Star Team. The Torres Chess and Music Academy has many talented young chess players and the process of picking five All Stars was very difficult. These players will receiveContinueContinue reading “Torres Chess and Music Academy All Star Team”