Tag Archives: Torres chess

So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 56

Recently, I found my self playing a casual chess game at Rook Odds against the Pirc Defense. I am by no means an expert on Pirc theory so I simply developed my pieces to good squares quickly. When a tactical opportunity arose, I went for it using a pattern I remember from Chernev’s “1000 BestContinueContinue reading “So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 56”

Torre Means Rook in Chess

I am not sure if I have ever mentioned it but my last name translated into English would literally mean rook.  You see, the surname “Torres” has its origin in the Latin word “turris,” which means “tower.” Historically, this surname was used to designate people who lived near towers or who were associated with defensiveContinueContinue reading “Torre Means Rook in Chess”

Photos from the 2024 US Amateur Team West Championship

https://youtu.be/95Z6xHOwAPY Greetings chess players! My name is Chris Torres and this is my daily chess musing for Sunday, February 18th, 2024. Chess is often perceived as a solitary pursuit, with players hunched over a board deep in thought, making strategic moves in isolation. However, this is a misconception, as chess players are very much partContinueContinue reading “Photos from the 2024 US Amateur Team West Championship”

DCM Spring Invitational Chess Tournament in Los Altos Hills

On Saturday, April 22, I hosted the Daily Chess Musings Spring Invitational Chess Tournament at the Fremont Hills Country Club in Los Altos Hills, California. This was a very special event for me as it was the first invitational chess tournament I have organized since the onset of the pandemic. As is my tradition, thereContinueContinue reading “DCM Spring Invitational Chess Tournament in Los Altos Hills”

Playing Chess with a Student 1/5/2023

In tonight’s live chess stream, California chess coach Chris Torres uses the infamous “center fork trick” in a training game against a talented student. The chess game takes on a surprisingly tactical flavor and both players are forced to avoid threats of checkmate while in time trouble. https://youtu.be/VFGc3kOB95E

Chess Memories of Birthdays Past

When I was a younger man, I didn’t need to take a day off to rest on my birthday (December 18th). I much preferred going to work, which for most of my adult life, means playing chess with young people. Kneeling next to Andrew Peng on my birthday in 2012. I turned 35 on DecemberContinueContinue reading “Chess Memories of Birthdays Past”

Daily Chess Musings’ Fun Fridays

Celebrate the start of the weekend with Fun Friday chess events. The Daily Chess Musings Club has two blitz tournaments scheduled where Coach Chris will jump around and comment on players’ games in progress. In between the two tournaments, he will be open for challenges for 10 min games. 5:00 PM Pacific Time Friday FrenzyContinueContinue reading “Daily Chess Musings’ Fun Fridays”

It’s the kickoff of something BIG!

Please join me for a Daily Chess Musings special announcement at our Twitch Channel on Saturday February 12th @ 4 pm PT

The Importance of Setting Lofty Goals in Chess

One of my most successful coaching techniques is encouraging my chess students to set lofty goals for themselves. Together we break these goals into attainable steps and utilize achievement markers to show progress. Of course, certain levels of chess expertise are not achievable for everyone and if they were, chess would be obsolete. For instance,ContinueContinue reading “The Importance of Setting Lofty Goals in Chess”

10 Completely Free Chess Activities in December

Dear Chess Families, It’s often far too easy to get caught up in everyday stress and forget about the great escape that is the chessboard and the wonderful friendships the chess community fosters. During these unprecedented times, I know that it is especially important that our scholastic chess community members have access to a structuredContinueContinue reading “10 Completely Free Chess Activities in December”

Summer Chess Camps Return to Fremont

Summer Chess Programs in Fremont Sign up for any 1 week camp for ONLY $200 and your child will also receive: ** A 1 year gold membership to ChessKid.com (a $50 value) ** A copy of Learn Chess the Right Way by Susan Polgar (a $20 value) ** And two online private lessons with ChrisContinueContinue reading “Summer Chess Camps Return to Fremont”

Chris Torres Raises the Bar for Fremont Summer Chess Camps in 19 | Fremont, CA Patch

Chris Torres Raises the Bar for Fremont Summer Chess Camps in 19 | Fremont, CA Patch Get $150 worth of free chess extras from FremontChess.com when you sign your child up for a weeklong camp for only $200!— Read on http://www.google.com/amp/s/patch.com/california/fremont/amp/28114988/chris-torres-raises-bar-fremont-summer-chess-camps-201

Playing Blindfold Chess

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a photographic memory to be proficient at blindfold chess. The basic visualization required is really not all that different from the kind of mental exercise chess players commonly experience while calculating long endgame variations. In fact, if you’ve ever had a vivid chess dream while sleeping (quite commonContinueContinue reading “Playing Blindfold Chess”

Lathrop Mayor’s Cup Chess Tournament a Huge Success

The Third Annual Lathrop Mayor’s Cup Chess Tournament was a huge success both from a chess and organizational standpoint. The hospitality and comfortable playing space offered by River Islands Technology Academy is truly unmatched for chess tournaments in San Joaquin County. Parents had access to free WiFi and fresh coffee while chess players took toContinueContinue reading “Lathrop Mayor’s Cup Chess Tournament a Huge Success”

Commendations 

  24 December 2015  Hi, Chris !               Congratulations on attaining the rating of Master in USCF Correspondence Chess. This is an excellent accomplishment and the attached certificate honors your success.          .                          ContinueContinue reading “Commendations “

Chess Classes in Fremont, California

FREMONT ACHIEVER CHESS TEAM: August 23rd through October 25th Brought to you by The Achiever Institute and the Torres Chess and Music Academy, a non-profit organization     The Fremont Achiever Chess Team chess program meets every Saturday from 1:00 until 3:00, beginning August 23, 2014. Held at The Achiever Institute. 43475 Ellsworth St. Fremont, CAContinueContinue reading “Chess Classes in Fremont, California”

Fremont Summer Chess Camp: Week 3

The Torres Chess and Music Academy is constantly at work making sure the events we offer your children are the very best in California. Below are some images from week 3 of the 2014 Fremont Summer Chess Camp. There is still one more week left in our chess camp at Mission San Jose Elementary SchoolContinueContinue reading “Fremont Summer Chess Camp: Week 3”