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”

So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 54

I have so many fond memories from the years I ran the Fremont Summer Chess Camps at Mission San Jose Elementary School. Connecting hundreds of talented kids with the best chess teachers was an incredible experience for everyone involved. These camps helped take scholastic chess to new heights in Fremont, California and helped me developContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 54”

So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 53

Sometimes I can almost hear C-3PO telling me that the odds of winning a chess game against a second year player when starting down ten points in material is approximately 3,720 to 1. Winning against all odds is a common theme in Star Wars and my chess classes. Playing against students with a handicap makesContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 53”

So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 52

I have often talked at length about the benefits for the chess student to play a master in a handicapped game (See: “At Odds With My Student”). However, there appears to be a benefit for the master as well. Beginning a chess game at a disadvantage against an amateur player sometimes ignites a fire ofContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 52”

Velocity Chess Makes it Fun to be at Odds with One Another

Velocity Chess is a revolutionary new online chess platform that is making playing chess “at odds” cool again. Want to play a game against a chess master where he/she spots you a rook or a few minutes in a blitz game? Velocity Chess is the place for you. Setting up a game at odds hasContinueContinue reading “Velocity Chess Makes it Fun to be at Odds with One Another”