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Tag Archives: Youth Chess

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, thereContinue reading “DCM Spring Invitational Chess Tournament in Los Altos Hills”

Pawn Endgame Worthy of Study

Pure pawn endgames are said to be the simplest of all endings but that doesn’t mean they are always easy to win. A case and point is presented in a recent blog post where I shared a blown opportunity in a King and pawn endgame I witnessed at a Northern California youth chess tournament. AsContinue reading “Pawn Endgame Worthy of Study”

Why Young Chess Players Should Focus on Pawn Endgames

Opening courses and books get all the love from consumers. However, it is of much greater practical importance for young chess players wishing to get better at chess to spend time mastering basic endgame techniques instead of investing hours of time memorizing lines of openings made fashionable by popular chess streamers. My advice on thisContinue reading “Why Young Chess Players Should Focus on Pawn Endgames”

Photos from the 2023 US Amateur Team West Championship Scholastic Chess Tournament 

The US Amateur Team West Championship is one of the most enjoyable California chess traditions. A team event, the US Amateur Team West attracts all the usual faces and their friends to compete in a weekend long celebration of chess. Each year there is also a USATW Scholastic Tournament. As a chess coach, Editor forContinue reading “Photos from the 2023 US Amateur Team West Championship Scholastic Chess Tournament “

Chess Photos from the 2022-23 CalChess Grade Level Championship

I had a blast attending the 2022-23 CalChess Grade Level Championship hosted by Bay Area Chess. From the enthusiasm of the young competitors to getting to hear from many fans of my Daily Chess Musings YouTube Channel, I could not have ask for a better way to spend my birthday weekend. I look forward toContinue reading “Chess Photos from the 2022-23 CalChess Grade Level Championship”

Puzzle Worthy Position 41

At just 19 years of age, FM Ekaterina Goltseva has made quite a name for herself by twice tying for first place at the European Youth Championships and also winning the silver medal at 2017 Russian Youth Chess Championship. Today’s Puzzle Worthy Position comes from the seventh round victory by Fide Master Ekaterina Goltseva overContinue reading “Puzzle Worthy Position 41”

Don’t Miss the 17th Susan Polgar Foundation’s National Open for Girls and Boys

If you are a chess parent who lives or can travel to Bellevue, Washington, consider taking your child/teen to the 17th annual Susan Polgar Foundation’s National Open for Girls and Boys. The SPFNO, which will take place on October 22-23, is one of the most prestigious scholastic chess tournaments in the United States and theContinue reading “Don’t Miss the 17th Susan Polgar Foundation’s National Open for Girls and Boys”

Girls K-12 CalChess State Championship 2022

A friendly reminder that the 2022 Girls Calchess State Championship is this Saturday (June 4th). The Berkeley Chess School does a wonderful job organizing this prestigious event and I highly recommend that all the young ladies in the Northern California chess community consider attending. All participants will be broken into sections by school grade: Kindergarten-3rdContinue reading “Girls K-12 CalChess State Championship 2022”

How to Help Young Chess Players Bounce Back from a Tough Loss

Losing is part of the game of chess and an important part of a young chess player’s growth. As a chess coach or chess parent, one of our most important roles is helping a child deal with a difficult loss at a chess tournament. Step 1 After every round, examine the chess game together inContinue reading “How to Help Young Chess Players Bounce Back from a Tough Loss”

Preparing Youth Chess Players for the State Scholastic Championships

March and April are traditionally the months that State Chess Organizations hold their Scholastic State Championships sometimes referred to as “Super States.” So it is, every year around this time, I receive lots of questions about the best way to prepare a young chess player for the Scholastic State Championships. Most of my students whoContinue reading “Preparing Youth Chess Players for the State Scholastic Championships”

Tournament Report for The Eade Foundation’s Spring Scholastic Chess Classic

On May 22, The Eade Foundation Spring Scholastic Chess Classic took place online. This prestigious event attracted many of the top youth chess players from around the United States and Canada. The tournament which was organized by Chris Torres of https://dailychessmusings.com and directed by Jay Stallings of https://chesshootz.com was a well-run 5 round rapid playContinue reading “Tournament Report for The Eade Foundation’s Spring Scholastic Chess Classic”

Great Chess On Display During The Practice Event for The Eade Foundation’s Spring Scholastic Chess Classic

It’s especially inspiring to witness great chess moves in scholastic tournaments. As a scholastic chess coach and tournament director, seeing young minds play brilliantly is really what it’s all about. Today, while running a practice event for The Eade Foundation’s Spring Scholastic Chess Classic, Jay Stallings and I were treated to some spectacular chess. Really,Continue reading “Great Chess On Display During The Practice Event for The Eade Foundation’s Spring Scholastic Chess Classic”

In 1 Week: The Eade Foundation’s Spring Scholastic Chess Classic

Join us! For The Eade Foundation’s Spring Scholastic Chess Classic online youth chess tournament NEXT SATURDAY, May 22! This prestigious online chess tournament is open to scholastic chess players of all abilities to help spread awareness for The Eade Foundation’s efforts of promoting chess excellence globally. The top 20 players in each section will receive incredibleContinue reading “In 1 Week: The Eade Foundation’s Spring Scholastic Chess Classic”

Changes to US Chess Federation Junior High Nationals

Announcement from the United States Chess Federation regarding changes to the structure of the Junior High Nationals: In June 2019, the Scholastic Council formed a subcommittee of the Scholastic Committee to examine the current structure of the Junior High Nationals. This nine-person subcommittee from across the country examined data from the last four years andContinue reading “Changes to US Chess Federation Junior High Nationals”

14-year-old R Praggnanandhaa crowned under-18 chess champion

“Praggnanandhaa scored an impressive and unbeaten 9/11 and he ended with a performance rating over 2700.” — Read on http://www.google.com/amp/s/www.deccanchronicle.com/amp/sports/in-other-news/131019/14-year-old-r-praggnanandhaa-crowned-under-18-chess-champion.html

ChessKid To Attempt Chess World Record With GM Judit Polgar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Palo Alto, Calif., Aug. 28, 2019—The world’s largest chess website for children will team with the greatest female chess player ever in an attempt to set an official Guinness world record for world’s largest chess tournament, the site announced today. GM Judit Polgar, the strongest woman to ever play the game ofContinue reading “ChessKid To Attempt Chess World Record With GM Judit Polgar”

Chris Torres Offers Online Chess Lessons

and would love to help your child play better chess now! Reasons to try an Online Lesson with Chris: 1.  Follow up to in-person chess lessons to check on your child’s understanding. 2.  Live too far away to come often for private instruction. 3.  Preparing for a major tournament with a coach who has taughtContinue reading “Chris Torres Offers Online Chess Lessons”

Fremont Scholastic Chess Championship 2019

The Learning Bee, US Chess Mates & the Torres Chess and Music Academy, Inc. Present: The Fremont Scholastic Chess Championship! March 16 & 17, 2019 Where: Learning Bee Learning Center, 39977 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539 What: Scholastic (K-12) 5 Round Swiss, Kindergarten (G/30) 1-4 (G/30) & 5-12 Section (G/60) Cost: Thanks to a generous donation from Joe LonsdaleContinue reading “Fremont Scholastic Chess Championship 2019”

Fremont Chess Quads this Saturday (1/19/19)

Rated Scholastic Chess Tournament Saturday, January 19th 2019 11:00 am – 3:00 pm @ Learning Bee Learning Center in Fremont $25 entry fee Trophies are awarded to top player in each quad. All other players will receive pins for participating. USCF Rated QUAD Format: All players must be USCF members. All players must understand USCFContinue reading “Fremont Chess Quads this Saturday (1/19/19)”