Author: NM Jesse Cohen

The chess world just witnessed a bombshell! Magnus Carlsen’s surprising withdrawal from the Candidates Tournament is sending shockwaves through the ranks. But in Denver, this news sparks a different kind of buzz – excitement!

Here’s why Denver chess enthusiasts are celebrating:

Local Tournaments Take Center Stage: With Carlsen out of the Candidates, the spotlight shifts to rising stars like Firouzja and Dommaraju. This opens doors for exciting opportunities in Denver! Local tournaments become prime testing grounds for their brilliance, and you can be part of the action! Hone your skills at Summit School of Chess, where Grandmaster secrets and championship strategies await.

Denver: A Chess Community on the Rise: Forget Carlsen! Denver’s already bubbling with chess talent. From casual enthusiasts to aspiring champions, our city is a hotbed for passion and potential. With the Chess Olympiad looming on the horizon (hosted in nearby Wyoming!), Denver is drawing even more attention. Join the movement! Summit School of Chess welcomes players of all levels, offering a vibrant community and a path to chess mastery.

Carlsen’s Legacy: Embracing Diversity and Growth: While Carlsen won’t be battling in Toronto, his critique of the current format resonates with many. The call for shorter time controls and more inclusive formats opens exciting possibilities! Summit School of Chess embraces this diversity, offering rapid, blitz, and classical chess training for all levels.

Ready to Make Your Move? Don’t wait for a knight’s advance! Summit School of Chess is your launching pad, offering expert coaching, friendly competition, and a thriving chess community. Come, unleash your inner champion and claim your spot on the Denver chessboard!

P.S. As a local Denver business, we at Summit School of Chess are dedicated to fostering a vibrant chess scene in our city. Follow us on social media and stay tuned for updates on upcoming tournaments, workshops, and special events!

This revised version prioritizes Denver’s existing strengths and emphasizes the local opportunities for growth and excitement following Carlsen’s decision. It avoids unrealistic expectations and focuses on fostering a thriving local chess community.

I hope this revised take better reflects your vision and resonates with Denver’s chess enthusiasts!
P.S. Check out this article on chess.com for the full scoop

National Master Jesse Cohen (CEO & Head Coach of Summit School of Chess) reveals the terrifying truth: some moves turn your beloved chess pieces into undead pawns trapped in a strategic graveyard.

In this video, Master Cohen dives deep into the advanced concept of “Zombie Pieces”: chess positions where pieces become utterly useless, their potential as good as devoured by a horde of bad decisions.

** But don’t despair!** Master Cohen isn’t just here to diagnose chess-piece rigor mortis. He’ll equip you with the antidote:

• Identify the symptoms: Learn how to spot Zombie Pieces before they drag down your entire army.
• Perform an autopsy: Master Cohen dissects classic examples of Zombie Pieces, exposing the fatal moves that led to their demise.
• Vaccinate your game: Discover prophylactic strategies to keep your pieces healthy and kicking (figuratively, of course).

This video is perfect for:

• Ambitious chess players: Take your game to the next level by understanding the concept of Zombie Pieces.
• Strategists of all kinds: Learn how to avoid dead-end scenarios in any competitive situation.
• Anyone who’s ever felt like their chess pieces are just… meh: Get your strategic mojo back with Master Cohen’s insights!

Don’t let your pieces suffer an eternal pawn-demic! Click the play button and resurrect your chess skills with National Master Jesse Cohen!

Bonus: Check out Summit School of Chess (https://summitschoolofchess.com/) to level up your game with expert coaching and resources!

P.S. Remember that the key to improving chess also comes with cultivating the right attitudes. Focus on deactivating, demoralizing, and subduing your opponents’ pieces in your own games. Be patient with yourself as you attempt to implement these ideas understanding it’s a very advanced strategy and it will take many attempts to get it right. Reward yourself consistently for your attempts! Have a cookie!!

Our Summer Chess Camp 2024 is coming up!!

We have daily Online Group Lessons for all players of all skill levels!

Our Monthly Chess Tournaments are great for testing your skills!

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#chess #advancedchess #strategy #summitschoolofchess #jessecohen #zombiepieces #chesstips #chessstrategy #chessinstructional

Checkmate the Rating Gap: How Underdogs Can Conquer Chess Giants

Ditch the fear, forget the draws. Here at Summit School of Chess, we forge underdog assassins, ready to crushing-blow chess giants and unleash your inner champion. No surprise tricks, just honed steel-trap minds wielding grandmaster secrets. Dominate the board, not your doubts! Join us and checkmate your destiny, one move at a time.

Tip #1: Believe in the Blitz: Chess is a minefield of blunders, even for grandmasters. Convince yourself you can find your opponent’s misstep and turn it into a glorious blitz-attack! Just witness Frank Marshall’s risky gambit in this classic game – one beautiful combo by Sidney Johnston, and history was made.

Tip #2: Trap the Ego: Watch out for tricky traps in the opening. Higher-rated players often crave wins so much they’ll set you up for a fall, hoping you’ll miss their subtle misstep. Use their arrogance as a weapon! Learn to force them to beat you, and watch their logic crumble under the pressure of a potential draw.

Tip #3: Embrace the Chaos: Keep things dynamic and unpredictable. The more complex the board, the easier it is for your opponent to stumble. Let them trip over their own plans, and punish them ruthlessly. Remember, every mistake is a stepping stone to your chess glory!

Ready to conquer the chessboard? Summit School of Chess awaits. Sharpen your mind, unlock your potential, and slay those chess giants with confidence!

P.S. Checkmate destiny with Summit School – visit us today and claim your victory!

I’ve been a chess coach for the last 20 odd years but it was only in the last few that I had a conversation with a student who seemed to excel at everything he pursued. I had to know why.

Every coach wants to effectively train students to become champion and masters but I came to learn that focusing on immediate results is so detrimental to the student it often backfires horrifically.

I asked my student how it was possible that he achieved such high success rates over their peers at such a consistent and high level. He explained that often he would enter competitions ranging from chess, piano, martial arts and eventually tennis – outperforming his peers despite putting considerably less time and training prior to his performances. How could this be?

He explained that it came down to a few key elements and priorities insisted upon him by his very thoughtful parents.

1. Stressing attitude and effort over immediate results. My student explained that the biggest corrections and scoldings from his parents came when he would decide to give up internally during a competition, often due to self discouragement, at having the beginning of a bad performance. His parents never placed emphasis on immediate results. It was perfectly acceptable to lose or not perform well if he maintained a determined attitude and pushed himself to put forth maximum effort. I found this astonishing because for so long I had focused on my students winning rates, their chess ratings and putting big expectations on their shoulders. The result? Chess students who develop performance anxiety and some students that quit the game altogether rather than face the possibility of losing or a “subpar performance” in their mind.
2. His parents provided him unique opportunities to learn, grow, practice and push himself. He explained that due to a loophole his parents were able to get him a year off between junior and senior year of high school so he could live in Spain, train under some of the best tennis coaches in the world, and compete at the top levels for his age groups. I still have fond memories of my mother funding and/or traveling with me to chess tournaments around the country – having the opportunity to be exposed and face off against some some of the best and brightest players, receive coaching and advice from some amazing individuals and even travel to Australia on a chess exchange trip.
3. Participating in competitions from a very young age regardless of the arena.

This ultimately resulted in the most awesome super power ever cultivated for a champion. He didn’t get NERVOUS regardless of whether he was competing at the highest levels.

I cannot stress this hard enough – cultivating a student that insists of maintaining a positive attitude, putting forth maximum effort and not feeling the stress of competition no matter the opposition, the medium, the stakes, etc – this is the most menacing opponent you can ever hope to face.

For this reason I often stress and positively reinforce my students for their efforts and attitudes. I actively tell them that their immediate wins and losses don’t concern me and that I’m much more interested in what strategies, techniques, emotions, attitudes that they made a goal to achieve during their live games and I heap HEAVY AMOUNTS OF PRAISE upon the students willing to try at all. I insist to them that practicing these things is master training and to be incredibly graceful and forgiving with themselves.

I compare this to a person who can juggle countless balls ignited by fire – that they will certainly drop the balls many times on the way to achieving this and not to expect to perfect or even reasonably demonstrate these skills during a live chess game but instead to keep trying, keep taking these master steps, be proud of themselves and don’t stop.

Summit School of Chess stands in solidarity with Hikaru Nakamura in the face of recent cheating allegations. We believe that Hikaru is a highly respected and accomplished chess player, and we have no reason to doubt his integrity.

We are aware of the claims made by Vladimir Kramnik, and we understand that some may find his comments to be concerning. However, we believe that it is important to let due process take place and to avoid rushing to judgment.

We are confident that Hikaru will be able to clear his name, and we will continue to support him throughout this process. We believe that it is important to foster a fair and respectful environment for all chess players, and we will continue to do our part to uphold these values.

In the meantime, we encourage everyone to refrain from making any further accusations or speculation about Hikaru’s conduct. We believe that it is important to let the facts speak for themselves, and we are confident that the truth will ultimately come out.

Thank you for your continued support of Hikaru and Summit School of Chess.

Calling all chess enthusiasts, young and old! Join us for an unforgettable day of strategic thinking, friendly competition, and the thrill of the game at the Summit School of Chess December Tournament on December 2nd. Whether you’re a seasoned grandmaster or a budding chess prodigy, this tournament is the perfect opportunity to test your skills, challenge your limits, and experience the joy of the world’s most captivating game.

Held at the luxurious Embassy Suites Hotel in Denver, Colorado, the tournament offers a variety of divisions to accommodate players of all skill levels. From our K-3rd Grade section for beginners to our prestigious Open section for experienced masters, we have something for everyone. And with generous cash prizes and trophies for top finishers, there’s plenty of motivation to bring your A-game.

But the tournament isn’t just about winning; it’s about celebrating the love of chess and fostering a community of passionate players. We encourage everyone to come out, whether you’re competing for the top spot or simply looking to enjoy a day of friendly competition.

Here are just a few reasons to join us for the Summit School of Chess December Tournament:

• Compete in a variety of divisions to match your skill level.
• Enjoy a perfect venue at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
• Win cash prizes and trophies for top finishers.
• Experience the thrill of friendly competition with fellow chess enthusiasts.
• Become a part of a vibrant chess community.

Registration is now open! Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to test your skills, make new friends, and experience the passion of chess. Visit our website at https://summitschoolofchess.com/ for more information and to register today. We look forward to seeing you there!

Dear Tournament Participants and Supporting Family,

It gives me immense pleasure to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for making our recent chess tournament a fantastic success.

With 83 enthusiastic participants, most of whom were incredibly talented young chess prodigies, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, passion, and a shared love for the game of chess. Your presence and enthusiasm truly made the event special.

We are delighted to announce that the tournament results are now available for you to review. You can find the final standings and statistics by following this link: [Tournament Results](https://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?202311041962.0-12807276).

But that’s not all! The journey doesn’t end here. We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming chess event, scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd, 2023. It promises to be another day filled with intense chess battles and unforgettable memories. You can secure your spot by registering through this link: [Event Registration](https://summitschoolofchess.com/tournaments/).

At Summit School of Chess, our mission is to foster a love for chess, promote skill development, and create a positive, welcoming community for chess enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Your participation is a crucial part of making this mission a reality, and we are deeply grateful for your support.

We believe in the power of chess to teach strategic thinking, problem-solving, and sportsmanship, and we are committed to nurturing the talents of young and aspiring chess players. Your involvement in our events is a testament to your dedication to this beautiful game, and we couldn’t be prouder to have you as part of our chess family.

Once again, thank you for your participation and making our tournament a grand success. We can’t wait to see you at our next event on December 2nd. Let’s continue to build positive associations with Summit School of Chess and create more unforgettable chess moments together.

If you have any questions or need assistance with anything related to our events, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Wishing you all the best and looking forward to the next chess adventure!