Celebrate National Chess Day at the Richmond Chess Festival, Sat, Oct 14th! Fun! Free! But it does Fill Up! Pre-register here
Pre-register for the tournament here. EXPRESS REGISTRATION
In Memoriam: Richard Russell Shorman, Chess Player, Teacher, Writer, Photographer, August 21, 1938 – August 12, 2023. Join us for a Celebration of Richard’s Life on Sunday, September 24th.
Richard Russell Shorman, an incomparable stalwart of the Bay Area Chess Community, passed away at his home in Hayward, California on August 12, 2023. He was 84. At the age of 15, Richard began playing at the Oakland YMCA Chess Club, run by the legendary Grandmaster George Koltanowski. Initially frustrated by the pace of his [...]
Four BCS Alumni to Represent the US Federation at the 2023 FIDE World Cup!
Congratulations to BCS Alumni GM Sam Shankland, GM Christopher Yoo, GM Hans Niemann, and IM Josiah Stearman,* who will be representing the US Chess Federation at the 2023 FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, July 29th - August 25th. Only 206 players from 71 Federations are invited to play in this single elimination tournament, part of [...]
BCS Founder and President Elizabeth Shaughnessy will be inducted into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame
And the Honors Keep Coming! BCS Founder and President Elizabeth Shaughnessy will be inducted into the Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 25th, at an awards ceremony and luncheon at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland. The Women's Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding women for their achievements and contributions to Alameda County [...]
3 BCS Alumni Among 14 Contenders for US Championship!
Three former Berkeley Chess School Students are among the 14 players in this year's U.S. Chess Championship! Grandmaster Sam Shankland, the 2018 U.S. Champ, and GM Christopher Yoo are 3/6 so far, with GM Hans Niemann 2.5/6 The biggest upset of the tournament so far was in Round 2, with the youngest player in the [...]
Samford Fellowship Winners
BCS alumni GM Hans Niemann and GM Christopher Yoo (facing off here in last year's Junior Championship) win 2022 Samford Fellowships! Photo by Crystal Fuller and the SLCC
GM Sam Shankland 44 player Simul
On Sunday, July 24th 2022, the Berkeley Chess School hosted a Simultaneous Exhibition by GM Sam Shankland, a BCS alumnus, author, and current member of the U.S, Olympic Team.. Sam is a hometown hero, beginning his chess career in a BCS afterschool class at Glorietta Elementary School in Orinda, and is now ranked 26th in [...]