Congratulations to Berkeley Chess School alumni: FM Josiah Stearman, who has made FIDE Master at age 12 and GM Sam Shankland who is now #58 in the world at age 25. Most of Josiah’s qualifying FIDE games were played locally either at Berkeley Chess Schools Friday night marathon or at the Mechanics [...]
We've just completed week 1 of our new full-day chess camp in Dublin. It was a great success, with 18 campers becoming much stronger players. Attending chess camp is the best way to improve, with four hours of lessons per day. And it's fun! Two levels were offered, one for students rated over 600, and [...]
This year's Sacramento City Championship had its strongest line-up ever, with one Grandmaster, two International Masters, and five National Masters! Berkeley Chess School sent two National Masters to compete: 2014 Sacramento Champion Bryon Doyle, and 12-year-old World Youth contender Josiah Stearman. Josiah played extraordinarily well, winning against both of his opponents on Saturday, starting with a [...]
The first Women’s California Chess Championship took place in Berkeley, California on April 2 and 3, 2016. The two-day event was sponsored by Cal Chess, NM James Eade, and The Berkeley Chess School, who hosted the tournament at the local historic landmark Hillside Elementary School. The tournament was well attended by players rated from [...]
In a field that included many masters, BCS alumnus NM Josiah Stearman scored a clear first with 4.5/5 and picked up 30 rating points! NM Ladia Jirasek took clear second with 4/5 in the March Weekender. In the Under 2000 Section Brendyn Estolas took clear first with 4.5/5 and tied for second were Farid Watson [...]
This year Halloween fell on a Saturday. It was perfect timing for our annual Spooky Swiss chess tournament! Once a year we celebrate ghosts and goblins with a four-round tournament divided into three sections based on USCF ratings: Under 400, 400-799, and 800+. Seventy-four players participated, most wearing costumes!
On October 18th, all BCS students rated USCF 600 and up were invited to our Berkeley Bishops Kickoff Party! The Berkeley Bishops is our traveling chess team, facing off against other programs since 1984.This year’s party featured pizza, games, and special lectures
On the weekend of September 26th-27th The Bay Area hosted the G/60 National Championships. G/60 means all games are played in sixty minutes or less, per person. Many of our Berkeley students made the trip down to San Jose in order for the chance to compete for a national title. In the Under 1000 Section [...]
Join us for our BCS Middle School Tournament! 4-round Swiss System tournament USCF-rated event -- current USCF membership is required to participate Time control is game in 30 with a 5 second delay Trophies awarded to the top 5 places; all other players will receive a participation medal Entry fee is $30 if pre-registered/$40 day [...]
