Congratulations to BCS Alumnus and 2010 BCS Master Class Instructor Sam Shankland for winning his final Grandmaster norm at the Berkeley International in January 2011! As many of you know, apart from World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain. Once achieved, the title is held for life. Well done, Sam!

Berkeley Chess School Students Score 6 First Place Trophies in Grade-Level State Championship
Out of 400 participants statewide, 75+ BCS students from 41 Bay Area schools competed.

Berkeley, CA, January 5, 2011: On December 4th and 5th, 2010, over seventy-five Berkeley Chess School (BCS) students competed at the Grade-Level State Championship at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA...FULL PRESS RELEASE

Berkeley Chess School students score great success at the Grade Level State Championships 2010, taking FIRST place statewide for grades 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, and 12!
Congratulations, all participants! Read the full story here.


The Bentley Elementary School 2nd Grade Team placed 5th statewide for their grade! They were one of eight teams made up of BCS participants.

At Khanty-Mansiysk, Elizabeth ran into a few BCS teachers, BCS alum, and other chess luminaries.


Elizabeth and former World Champion Anatoly Karpov


Elizabeth with International Master Irina Krush (BCS Master Class Instructor Alum) and Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura (Highest Ranked US Chess Player, and 2 time US Chess Champion).


Elizabeth with Grandmaster Judit Polgar, center (The strongest female chess player in history).

The Berkeley Chess School Founder and President Elizabeth Shaughnessy is playing Board 2 for the Irish Women's Chess team at the 2010 Chess Olympiad Sept 19-Oct 4th. This is the 39th Chess Olympiad and Elizabeth's 8th personal Olympiad.

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