Chess Initiative to Transform the Quality of Life for Children Living in Stockton

Today, I am proud to announce the launch of a chess initiative to transform the quality of life for children living in Stockton, California. With the help of the communities in and around Stockton, I know that the Torres Chess and Music Academy will be successful in improving the chances of success for Stockton’s children. If you refuse to allow being born in the wrong zip code to be the defining moment of a child’s life,

The National Champions from MSJE

then please contact me. Together we can change Stockton.

Chris Torres chesslessons@aol.com

The Torres Chess and Music Academy on Facebook 

@TorresChess on twitter

Why Stockton?:

1) Stockton Unified has seven elementary schools listed as being the worst performing schools in California.

2) Stockton averages 318 crimes per square mile!

3) Nearly 30% of children in Stockton live below the poverty level!

4) Stockton regularly ranks as one of the worst cities to live in according to Forbes Magazine.

Why Chess?:

1)  Chess increases test scores.

2) Chess improves decision making skills thus lowering violent crime.

3) Chess is inexpensive.

4) Chess makes your neighborhoods more appealing.

Why the Torres Chess and Music Academy:

1) Chris Torres has worked successfully in low performing schools.

2) The Torres Chess and Music Academy has experience using chess to combat gang recruitment.

3) The Torres Chess and Music Academy is a nonprofit organization.

4) Chris Torres is one of the best chess coaches in the United States.

Milind Maiti was Undefeated at the National Chess Championship

Torres Chess & Music Academy, Inc.

16691 Colonial Trail Lathrop, CA  95330 Phone (661) 699-8348 Chesslessons@aol.com

Press Release

Contact: Chris Torres Phone: (661) 699-8348

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2011

Kindergartener Milind Maiti Was Undefeated at the NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONship

Cupertino, CA, May 6-8, 2011: Cupertino five year old Milind Maiti was unbeatable at the 2011 United States Chess Federation National Elementary Chess Championships held in Dallas, Texas on May 6-8. Despite competing in a section with 294 of the best young chess players in the country, Milind won six games and had one draw which was good enough for a third place finish.  

   Milind Maiti’s path to becoming the top kindergarten chess player began at the age of four when his parent’s noticed his talents at solving jigsaw puzzles. A couple months later Milind’s interest moved towards building with Legos.  It was at this point that Milind’s father Chandan slowly introduced him to the game of chess which he enjoyed immediately.  For one so young, Milind’s desire to improve was immense. His parents began signing him up for tournaments very regularly. When he entered school, Milind started attending chess classes run by the Torres Chess and Music Academy. In spite of being a kindergartener, Milind quickly was promoted to the “advanced” class at the Collins Elementary School Chess Team. It was in this Class that Milind met chess coach Chris Torres, president of the Torres Chess & Music Academy. Chris has taught several national chess champions and he immediately recognized Milind Maiti’s remarkable talent and began training Milind to use tactics with greater effect.

In December of 2010, Milind Maiti traveled to Stockton for the Calchess Grade-level Championship. Milind won all his games easily and became the Kindergarten State Chess Champion. Over the next several months, Milind’s chess continued to improve at an incredible rate. In the first week of April, Milind Maiti competed in the Calchess Scholastic State Championships Kindergarten division, held in Santa Clara. During this tournament, Milind once again achieved a perfect score. For his remarkable performance, Milind Maiti became a State Chess Champion for a second time.

   According to his coach Chris Torres, Milind is the only kindergartener in California history to be undefeated at the State Grade Level Chess Championship, the State K-3 Chess Championship and the National Chess Championship in the same school year. Chris attributes Milind’s successes to his remarkable talent, love for the game, incredible work ethic and to the support that his parents Chandan and Smitha Maiti  provide.           

Chris Torres had other Torres Chess & Music Academy students to make him proud in the K-1 section. Chris’ other students included Ben Rood, from Walnut Creek, who tied for first in the individual competition. Five members of the Mission San Jose Elementary School team, Rishith Susarla, Chenyi Zhao, Soorya Kuppam, Jeffrey Liu, and Amulya Harish also placed third in the school competition.

-End-

Ben Rood Becomes National Chess Champion

Torres Chess & Music Academy, Inc.

16691 Colonial Trail Lathrop, CA  95330 Phone (661) 699-8348 Chesslessons@aol.com

Press Release

Contact: Chris Torres Phone: (661) 699-8348

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2011

FIRST GRADER BEN ROOD BECOMES NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPION

WALNUT CREEK, CA, May 6-8, 2011: Walnut Creek seven year old Ben Rood was awarded the title of K-1 National Chess Champion at the 2011 United States Chess Federation National Elementary Chess Championships held in Dallas, Texas on May 6-8. Ben’s presence attracted interest in the section for kindergarten to first graders because he had the highest chess rating of all 294 contestants. Despite the tough competition, Ben won all seven of his games against the very best chess players his age in the country. The most challenging game for Ben came in round 5 when he was paired against last year’s K-1 champion, Praveer Sharan. It took Ben Rood 3 hours and 81 moves to finally defeat Praveer. He then had to continue his perfect record for two more rounds in order to be crowned a National Chess Champion.

   Ben Rood’s path to becoming a National Chess Champion began at the age of three when he decided that 300 piece jigsaw puzzles were too easy and his mother decided to introduce him to the game of chess. When he entered school, Ben started attending chess classes run by the Berkeley Chess School. For one so young,  Ben’s desire to improve was immense. His parents began signing him up for tournaments very regularly and taking him to the Friday Night Chess program run by the Berkeley Chess School. In spite of winning first place in the Kindergarten section at the 2010 Calchess Scholastic State Championships, Ben had reached the point of needing personal attention to draw out his natural talent. During the summer of 2010 Ben met chess coach Chris Torres, president of the Torres Chess & Music Academy, at a chess tournament. The two started training together a short while later. Chris has taught several other national chess champions. He immediately recognized Ben Rood’s remarkable talent. Chris then devised a plan to get Ben calculating more accurately while playing more aggressive openings that would better suit his personality and amazing tactical vision.

In December of 2010, Ben Rood traveled to Stockton for the Calchess Grade-level Chess Championships and used his newly found chess style very effectively. Ben won all his games easily and became the Grade One State Chess Champion. Over the next several months, Ben’s chess improved at a rate never before seen from a six year old chess player. By February of 2011, Ben was beating very strong chess players of all ages while taking care to record his games accurately for later review with his coach. In the first week of April, Ben Rood competed in the Calchess Scholastic State Championships K-3 division, held in Santa Clara. During this tournament, Ben once again achieved a perfect score and even defeated the reining second grade National Chess Champion, Josiah Stearman. For his remarkable performance, Ben Rood became a State Chess Champion for a third time.

   According to his coach Chris Torres, Ben Rood is the only first grader in California history to win the State Grade Level Chess Championship, the State K-3 Chess Championship and the National Chess Championship in the same school year. Chris attributes Ben’s successes to his remarkable talent, love for the game, incredible work ethic and to the support that his parents Robin Hultgren and Lisa Rood provide.           

Chris Torres had other Torres Chess & Music Academy students to make him proud in the K-1 section. Chris’ other students included Milind Maiti, from Cupertino, who placed third in the individual competition. Five members of the Mission San Jose Elementary School team, Rishith Susarla, Chenyi Zhao, Soorya Kuppam, Jeffrey Liu, and Amulya Harish also placed third in the school competition.

-End-

Calchess State Grade Level Chess Championship: Justin Shen Creates A Beautiful Example of the Evans Gambit

Justin Shen is sixth grader who resides in Albany, California. Like many of my students he enjoys playing the white side of the Evans Gambit. On December 5, 2010, Justin Shen played a instructive example of this powerful opening at the Calchess State Grade Level Chess Championship.

[Event “Calchess State Grade Level Chess Championship”]
[Site “Stockton, California”]
[Date “2010.12.05”]
[Round “4”]
[White “Shen, Justin”]
[Black “Kassil, Alex”]
[Result “1-0”]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. O-O Nf6 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 Bb4 9. Bd2 Bxd2 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. d5 Ne7 12. Qd3 c6 13. d6 Ng6 14. e5 Nh5 15. Qf5 Ngf4 16. g3 g6 17. Qc2 Ne6 18. Qd2 b5 19. Bb3 a5 20. Qh6 Nhg7 21. Bxe6 Nxe6 22. Nbd2 f6 23. Ne4 Rf7 24. exf6 Rxf6 25. Neg5 Nxg5 26. Nxg5 Rf8 27. Qxh7# 1-0

Calchess State Grade Level Championship: Day Two Report

The Mission San Jose Elementary School Chess Team continued its dominance of the 2010 Calchess State Grade Level Championship in Stockton, California. By days end,  MSJE had achieved first place finishes in grades 1,2,3,5 and 6. Mission San Jose Elementary’s fourth graders also played well and finished in second place. The MSJE Chess Team is coached by Joe Lonsdale, Richard Shorman and Chris Torres.

Stay tuned for more exciting games from the 2010 Calchess State Grade Level Championship.

For more information on the Torres Chess and Music Academy please visit www.ChessAndMusic.com

Calchess State Grade Level Championship

The 2010 edition of the Calchess State Grade Level Championship is just days away. The tournament will once again be run by master chess organizer John McCumiskey and be held at the University of the Pacific campus in Stockton, California. I believe this is the most enjoyable annual scholastic chess tournament in California. Please return to my blog for live updates on December 4 and 5.

Details:

CALCHESS STATE Grade Level Championship Dec 4 –5 2010 University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific
TYPE: Swiss
ROUNDS: K-3 = 1-day, 5 rounds (D 4-12 = 2-day, 6 rounds USCF RATED: Yes
TIME CONTROL: K-3 = G/30 4-12 =
PRIZES: BIG Trophies
ENTRY FEE: $35
TD NAME: John McCumiskey
TD EMAIL: jmc-chess@sbcglobal.net
INFO URL: http://sacramentochessclub.org

2009 CalChess Grade Level Championship: Part 2

Mihir Bhuptani poses behind his trophy with coach Chris Torres.

Wall Chart. 2009 CalChess State Grade Level: Kindergarten (standings)
#    Name/Rtng/ID    Rd 1    Rd 2    Rd 3    Rd 4    Rd 5    Tot
1    Jack Chin    B  16    W    6    B    4    B    2    W    5
unr.   14288146           1.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     5.0     5.0
2    Gia Peterson    B  18    W  10    B    9    W    1    B    6
539   14164190   (533)        1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
3    Amy  L Chan    B  11    W  12    bye      W  14    B    9
131   14115781           0.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
4    Soorya Kuppam    B  13    B    7    W    1    W    9    B  12
unr.   14267883           1.0     2.0     2.0     2.5     3.5     3.5
5    Bryan Mathia Wong    –  21    –  20    B    6    W  11    B    1
190   14018447   (185)       X1.0    X2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
6    Beaumont Zhang    W  14    B    1    W    5    B  10    W    2
unr.   14285194           1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
7    Ben Rood    B  19    W    4    B  11    W  17    B  14
unr.   14239084           1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
8    Jake Marshal    W    9    W  13    B  10    B  18    W  19
unr.   14262494           0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
9    Advait Budaraju    B    8    W  11    W    2    B    4    W    3
unr.   14276583           1.0     2.0     2.0     2.5     2.5     2.5
10    Chinguun  Bayaraa    B  15    B    2    W    8    W    6    B  11
unr.   14271324           1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.5     2.5
11    Aaron Ng    W    3    B    9    W    7    B    5    W  10
unr.   14302925           1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.5     2.5
12    Ryan Sheng    bye      B    3    –  15    W  13    W    4
unr.                              0.5     0.5     1.5     2.5     2.5     2.5
13    Antarish  Rautela    W    4    B    8    W  19    B  12    W  18
unr.   14246081           0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0
14    Muthiah Panchanatham    B    6    W  16    W  17    B    3    W    7
unr.   14301750           0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
15    Allen Yan    W  10    W  18    –  12    —-    —-
unr.   14284164           0.0     1.0     1.0    U1.0    X2.0     2.0
16    Ansh Gandhi    W    1    B  14    W  18    B  19    B  17
unr.   14288606           0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0
17    Christopher Tan    —-    W  19    B  14    B    7    W  16
unr.   14004206          U0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
18    Julie Ganzorig    W    2    B  15    B  16    W    8    B  13
unr.   14269131           0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
19    Dominic Pang    W    7    B  17    B  13    W  16    B    8
unr.   14287075           0.0     0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
20    Bayarra Chinguun    —-    –    5    —-    —-    —-
470   1427134            U0.0    F0.0    U0.0    U0.0    U0.0     0.0
21    Nico Tribuzio    –    5    —-    —-    —-    —-
unr.   14278903          F0.0    U0.0    U0.0    U0.0    U0.0     0.0

Wall Chart. 2009 CalChess State Grade Level: 1st Grade (standings)
#    Name/Rtng/ID    Rd 1    Rd 2    Rd 3    Rd 4    Rd 5    Tot
1    Josiah P Stearman    W  20    B    9    W    7    B    2    B    3
1176   14006506           1.0     2.0     3.0     3.5     4.5     4.5
2    Arun  G Khemani    B  11    W  18    B    4    W    1    B    7
1008   13912844   (975)        1.0     2.0     3.0     3.5     4.5     4.5
3    Solomon Ge    W  21    B  15    W    5    B    6    W    1
845   14154077           1.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0     4.0
4    Hari Kris Kumaran    W  26    B  23    W    2    B  19    W  13
511   14207485           1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
5    Mihir Bhuptani    B  31    W  13    B    3    B  12    W    8
404   14082402           1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
6    Zachary Greco    B  12    W  19    B  22    W    3    W  15
704   13838986   (709)        1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
7    Selena Wong    B  22    W  16    B    1    W  24    W    2
505   13951716           1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
8    Estella Wong    W  23    B  25    B  19    W  14    B    5
438   13951722           0.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
9    James Pflaging    B  24    W    1    B  14    W  20    B  22
292   14201972           1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
10    Avyay Varadarajan    B  13    W  14    W  28    B  23    B  24
272   14241318           0.0     0.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
11    John Andrew Chan    W    2    B  28    W  13    B  26    B  17
159   14044313           0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
12    Charlie Jones    W    6    B  30    B  17    W    5    B  18
unr.   14239152           0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
13    Hari Stoyanov    W  10    B    5    B  11    W  18    B    4
unr.   14239167           1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
14    Luke Zhao    W  15    B  10    W    9    B    8    W  19
unr.   14282042           0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
15    a Miles Olive Manga    B  14    W    3    B  16    W  21    B    6
221   14120178   (221)        1.0     1.0     1.5     2.5     2.5     2.5
16    Nicholas Evenden    B  27    B    7    W  15    W  17    B  21
unr.   14292651           1.0     1.0     1.5     1.5     2.5     2.5
17    Rowen Barnes    W  19    B  26    W  12    B  16    W  11
363   14202048           0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
18    Pradyumn Acharya    W  30    B    2    W  23    B  13    W  12
263   14043477           1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
19    Ben Levinson    B  17    B    6    W    8    W    4    B  14
214   12825995           1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
20    Amirah Moham Rafi    B    1    W  24    W  29    B    9    W  25
211   14142190           0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0
21    Greg Kornguth    B    3    bye      W  25    B  15    W  16
102   14240170           0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
22    Tommy Koh    W    7    B  29    W    6    B  27    W    9
unr.   14283820           0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
23    Janya Budaraju    B    8    W    4    B  18    W  10    W  28
unr.   14276577           1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0
24    Marcus Lee    W    9    B  20    W  27    B    7    W  10
unr.   14292672           0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
25    Srinjo Chatterjee    bye      W    8    B  21    W  30    B  20
259   14124605           0.5     0.5     0.5     1.5     1.5     1.5
26    Thomas Yu    B    4    W  17    B  30    W  11    W  27
unr.   14260586           0.0     0.0     0.5     0.5     1.5     1.5
27    Enkhj Gomboluudev    W  16    –  31    B  24    W  22    B  26
291   14079545   (291)        0.0    X1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
28    David Pena    —-    W  11    B  10    W  29    B  23
unr.   14298048          U0.0     0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
29    William  Adams    —-    W  22    B  20    B  28    W  30
unr.                             U0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0
30    Sean Bochaton    B  18    W  12    W  26    B  25    B  29
unr.   14287081           0.0     0.0     0.5     0.5     0.5     0.5
31    William Adams    W    5    –  27    —-    —-    —-
unr.                              0.0    F0.0    U0.0    U0.0    U0.0     0.0

Wall Chart. 2009 CalChess State Grade Level: 2nd Grade (standings)
#    Name/Rtng/ID    Rd 1    Rd 2    Rd 3    Rd 4    Rd 5    Tot
1    Rayan Taghizadeh    B    7    W    8    B    4    W    3    B    5
1537   13880825           1.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     5.0     5.0
2    Om Chinchwadkar    W  15    B  19    W    5    B  10    W    9
1236   13796783   (930)        1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
3    Anthony Zhou    W  14    B    9    W    6    B    1    W  13
972   14202012           1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
4    Dante Peterson    W  25    B  20    W    1    B  12    W  14
888   14164184   (869)        1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
5    Bryce M Wong    W  23    B  31    B    2    W  16    W    1
819   13644104   (830)        1.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0     4.0
6    Kevin Zhu    B  13    W  12    B    3    W    7    B  16
1097   14033094           1.0     2.0     2.0     2.5     3.5     3.5
7    Serafina Show    W    1    B  27    W  31    B    6    B  18
590   13964624           0.0     1.0     2.0     2.5     3.5     3.5
8    Ojas Arun    W  26    B    1    W  17    B  13    W  20
675   14192020           1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
9    Joanna Liu    B  30    W    3    W  20    B  22    B    2
674   14090307           1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
10    Maximo T Tribuzio    W  27    B  28    B  16    W    2    W  22
667   14138998           0.5     1.5     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
11    Howard Leona Tang    B  31    W  32    B  22    W  24    B  23
651   14247262   (653)        0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
12    Daniel # George    W  17    B    6    B  24    W    4    W  19
646   13996856   (649)        1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
13    Bruce Liu    W    6    B  26    W  18    W    8    B    3
575   14180487           0.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
14    Alvin J Zhang    B    3    W  29    W  19    B  25    B    4
562   13969710           0.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
15    Alexander Wong    B    2    W  24    B  26    W  17    B  27
588   14169745           0.0     0.0     1.0     1.5     2.5     2.5
16    Phillip Chin    W  28    B  18    W  10    B    5    W    6
520   13975164           1.0     2.0     2.5     2.5     2.5     2.5
17    Abtin Olaee    B  12    W  21    B    8    B  15    W  25
unr.   13739495           0.0     1.0     1.0     1.5     2.5     2.5
18    Derek Hua    B  21    W  16    B  13    B  27    W    7
846   14164403           1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
19    Warren Xu    B  29    W    2    B  14    W  21    B  12
819   14180466           1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
20    Arthur Fargher    B  32    W    4    B    9    W  31    B    8
592   14046070           1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
21    Edward Liu    W  18    B  17    W  29    B  19    B  31
505   13955684           0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0
22    Seiji Minowada    —-    B  23    W  11    W    9    B  10
476   13994577   (478)       U0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
23    Niko Duffy    B    5    W  22    B  32    W  30    W  11
294   14204066           0.0     0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
24    Michael Ryaboy    —-    B  15    W  12    B  11    W  28
unr.                             U0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0
25    Douglas Zeller    B    4    W  30    B  28    W  14    B  17
506   13994651           0.0     0.5     1.5     1.5     1.5     1.5
26    Emmanuel Maria    B    8    W  13    W  15    B  29    W  32
129   14191288           0.0     0.0     0.0     0.5     1.5     1.5
27    Kimberly Liu    B  10    W    7    B  30    W  18    W  15
unr.   14268494           0.5     0.5     1.5     1.5     1.5     1.5
28    Nichol Cardarelli    B  16    W  10    W  25    B  32    B  24
900   13743705           0.0     0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
29    Parker Ra Bizjack    W  19    B  14    B  21    W  26    B  30
222   14178157           0.0     0.0     0.0     0.5     1.0     1.0
30    Fraser Coleman    W    9    B  25    W  27    B  23    W  29
unr.   14291113           0.0     0.5     0.5     0.5     1.0     1.0
31    Jason Haas    W  11    W    5    B    7    B  20    W  21
unr.   14239125           1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
32    Jonathan DeMiguel    W  20    B  11    W  23    W  28    B  26
unr.   14292048           0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0

Wall Chart. 2009 CalChess State Grade Level: 3rd Grade (standings)
#    Name/Rtng/ID    Rd 1    Rd 2    Rd 3    Rd 4    Rd 5    Tot
1    Michael Wang    W  20    B  22    W    5    B    4    W    2
1397   14224170           1.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.5     4.5
2    Leyton Ho    B  19    W    6    B    9    W    8    B    1
1340   13850433           1.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.5     4.5
3    Seaver Dahlgren    B  25    W  12    B    8    W    7    B  11
1245   13590882           1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
4    Anirudh Seela    B  27    W  14    B  11    W    1    B  10
1210   13813698           1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
5    Leonar Cardarelli    B  28    W  16    B    1    W  23    B  18
1015   13518341           1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
6    Justin J Tan    W  37    B    2    W  20    B  17    B    9
828   13736756   (819)        1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     4.0     4.0
7    Evan Baldonado    W  26    B  13    W  10    B    3    W    8
1219   13730688           1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.5     3.5
8    Lawrence Wong    W  29    B  41    W    3    B    2    B    7
970   13706652           1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.5     3.5
9    Lance Finley    W  36    B  15    W    2    B  16    W    6
1022   14225241           1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
10    Desiree Ho    B  31    W  18    B    7    W  24    W    4
931   13601087           1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
11    Julia Schulman    B  32    W  21    W    4    B  15    W    3
829   13880501           1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
12    Drake Lin    W  43    B    3    B  24    W  31    W  19
699   13826475           1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
13    Jimmy Ro Schaffer    B  38    W    7    B  27    W  18    B  24
696   13975838           1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
14    Jonathan Ko    W  30    B    4    W  26    B  19    W  29
687   13590368           1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
15    Ian Matthew Wong    B  40    W    9    B  28    W  11    B  32
676   14095037           1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
16    Lindsay Kornguth    W  39    B    5    W  36    W    9    B  26
651   14176920           1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
17    Ridd Ranjithkumar    B  21    W  31    B  40    W    6    B  27
602   14008290           0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
18    Suleyman Saib    W  42    B  10    W  41    B  13    W    5
555   13738554           1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
19    Sainath Kesari    W    2    B  37    W  21    W  14    B  12
546   13698342           0.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0     3.0
20    Al Neumann-loreck    B    1    W  32    B    6    B  22    W  35
530   13914794           0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
21    Alexander Makhratchev    W  17    B  11    B  19    W  30    B  23
unr.   14266942           1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     3.0     3.0
22    Rohith Kolli    B  33    W    1    B  25    W  20    W  38
753   13793474           1.0     1.0     1.5     1.5     2.5     2.5
23    Aaron Lin    W  41    B  24    W  29    B    5    W  21
636   13511436           0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
24    Ian Cheng    B  35    W  23    W  12    B  10    W  13
530   14040572           1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
25    Aditya Krishnan    W    3    B  43    W  22    B  26    W  33
496   14069218           0.0     1.0     1.5     1.5     2.0     2.0
26    Eric Chang    B    7    W  33    B  14    W  25    W  16
433   14033108           0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
27    Michael Manguyen    W    4    B  39    W  13    B  41    W  17
422   13973241   (424)        0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
28    Owen Sherry    W    5    B  42    W  15    B  35    W  41
392   13977600           0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0
29    Andrew # Paul    B    8    W  35    B  23    W  40    B  14
379   14232850   (383)        0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
30    Akshay Gharpure    B  14    W  40    –  38    B  21    W  39
365   14061928           0.0     0.0    X1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0
31    Jeffrey Deng    W  10    B  17    W  42    B  12    W  40
362   13983473           0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0
32    Sara Kaushik    W  11    B  20    W  39    B  36    W  15
290   13878041           0.0     0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
33    Rini Vasan    W  22    B  26    W  43    B  34    B  25
195   13683505           0.0     0.0     0.5     1.5     2.0     2.0
34    Diego Pena    –  45    B  36    bye      W  33    B  43
106   13739007          F0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     2.0     2.0
35    Bhagvat Maheta    W  24    B  29    W  37    W  28    B  20
unr.   14261657           0.0     0.0     1.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
36    Arvind Ragunathan    B    9    W  34    B  16    W  32    B  37
397   14081744           0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.5     1.5
37    Haakon Black    B    6    W  19    B  35    B  43    W  36
275   13971636           0.0     0.0     0.0     1.0     1.5     1.5
38    Pranav Acharya    W  13    bye      –  30    bye      B  22
119   14043483           0.0     1.0    F1.0     1.5     1.5     1.5
39    Nishant Yadav    B  16    W  27    B  32    W  42    B  30
unr.   14203413           0.0     0.0     0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
40    Mathias Hall    W  15    B  30    W  17    B  29    B  31
unr.   14282900           0.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
41    Andrew Ng    B  23    W    8    B  18    W  27    B  28
unr.   14302931           1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0
42    Shivani Seshan    B  18    W  28    B  31    B  39    –  46
unr.   14266606           0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0    X1.0     1.0
43    Keya Jonnalagadda    B  12    W  25    B  33    W  37    W  34
192   14117882           0.0     0.0     0.5     0.5     0.5     0.5
44    Vikram Vasan    —-    —-    —-    —-    —-
1318   12937705          U0.0    U0.0    U0.0    U0.0    U0.0     0.0
45    Justin Su    –  34    —-    —-    —-    —-
882   13758233          F0.0    U0.0    U0.0    U0.0    U0.0     0.0
46         —-    —-    —-    —-    –  42
unr.                             U0.0    U0.0    U0.0    U0.0    F0.0     0.0

CalChess Grade Level Championship

This weekend I am enjoying my duties as a coach at the CalChess Grade Level Championship in Stockton. I will be posting tournament crosstables, games and photos both nights of the tournament. This blogger is extremely grateful that Calchess President Tom Langland performed the chief tournament director duties.

Below is a very instructional game played by  Srinath Goli (Mission San Jose Elementary School) who demonstrated to his opponent why masters prefer 4. c3 rather than 4. O-O in the  Italian Game. This game is a real gem and is the best performance I have seen from Srinath to date.

[Event “Grade Level Championship”]
[Site “Stockton”]
[Date “2009.11.21”]
[Round “1”]
[White “Li, Jack”]
[Black “Goli, Srinath”]
[Result “0-1”]
[PlyCount “84”]
[TimeControl “g60”]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. d3 Bg4 7. Bg5 Nd4 8. Nd5 Nxf3+ 9. gxf3 Bh3 10. Re1 h6 11. Nxf6+ gxf6 12. Be3 Rg8+ 13. Kh1 Bg2+ 14. Kg1 Bxf3+ 15. Kf1 Bxd1 16. Raxd1 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Qd7 18. b3 O-O-O 19. a4 f5 20. Bb5 Qe6 21. Bc4 Qf6 22. Rf3 f4 23. b4 Qh4 24. Bxf7 Rg7 25. Be6+ Kb8 26. Rh3 Qf6 27. Bf5
Rdg8 28. Ke2 Rg1 29. Rxg1 Rxg 30. f3 a6 31. Kf2 Rg5 32. c4 h5 33. b5 axb5 34. axb5 h4 35. Rxh4 Ka7 36. Rh3 Rxf5 37. exf5 Qxf5 38. Kg2 Qxd3 39. Rh8 Qxc4 40. h4 Qxb5 41. Kh3 Qd7+ 42. Kg2 Qg7+ 0-1