CDA Chess Club News

We are thrilled to share the results of our first "Lego Up the Ladder" challenge held on June 24! The evening was filled with intense matches, strategic plays, and a fantastic display of sportsmanship. A total of 14 players participated in the ladder challenge, including three generations of the Vasquez family: Andrew (grandfather), Andrew (son), and Andrew (grandson), showcasing the timeless appeal of chess across ages. Highlights from the Night Emmaus Pearson's Stellar Performance: Smashing the previous records, Emmaus had the biggest rating gain of the night, climbing up by 38 points! Congratulations on such an impressive accomplishment. Payton Akers' Climb: Another standout was Payton Akers, who leaped from step 20 to step 16 on the ladder. Your determination and skill are truly inspiring. Thrilling Matches: One of the evening's highlights was the nail-biting match between William and Andrew (grandfather). Their game was so engaging that it captured the atte

The excitement from our last meeting continues to resonate as we prepare for another enriching session on June 13. If you missed our previous event, there's no need to worry—this is your chance to dive into the fascinating world of chess with a focus on the legendary Paul Morphy's Opera Game. Last week, we had an amazing discussion about the strategic brilliance of the Opera Game. Our new and returning members found it a valuable learning experience. This week, we're taking it a step further by engaging in practical exercises to help you grasp this classic game's intricacies. During our upcoming meeting, attendees will get the opportunity to replay the Opera Game themselves. By reading the chess notation of the game, you'll improve your skills and gain a deeper understanding of chess language and strategy. To prepare, we recommend watching a short video that explains how to read chess notation. This will give you a solid foundation and boost your confidence during

The Summer Solstice Chess Tournament concluded with an exciting finale. Players battled it out over three weeks of intense matches. In the Solstice A Bracket, 12 players competed fiercely, with the top finishers being Steve (4.5 points), John (4 points), and Sam and Greg, who each secured 3.5 points. The final night highlighted Steve's remarkable save against John, turning a near-loss into a draw. Sam and Mike’s game also resulted in a draw. Eric and Greg showed their strength by winning both matches that evening. Meanwhile, the Solstice B Bracket was a close contest, with Payton, Emerson, and Frank each achieving 4 points. Payton edged out his competitors through tie-breakers based on opponents' scores. Matt's son, newcomer Emmaus , made a memorable debut. A robust field of 17 players participated in this section, including standout performances from Frank and Isaac, who both won 2 matches and saw Isaac gain an impressive 104 rating points. As the tournament draws to a clo