Congratulations to our dedicated students, graduates, and alumni who have earned a place on the US Chess July Top 100 list by age and gender. Published monthly, this list recognizes the top over-the-board (OTB) regular ratings across the country. It serves as an honor roll celebrating the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of outstanding chess players.

What a July for Arjun Sai Kommineni!

This young and passionate chess kid has been making waves across the board with back-to-back tournament performances that are nothing short of remarkable. After a strong showing at the Chicago Class Tournament, where he shared 3rd place in his section and also claimed an under-class prize in blitz, Arjun returned to Ohio and dominated the Cincinnati Emotional Chess July (U1601 section) with a perfect 4-0 score when he swept the field and earned first place for the very first time in his tournament career.

And here’s the kicker: his rating has jumped an incredible 255 points from 1236 to 1491 in July. Arjun’s growth is not only rapid but inspiring as well because he has only been playing competitive chess for less than 8 months, since November!

Competing outside Columbus, Arjun demonstrated sharp tactical awareness and fearless play in Cincinnati:

• In Round 1, his opponent blundered with 21...Rxf2??, and Arjun immediately punished it with the crisp tactic:
  22. Qxf8+! taking advantage of the exposed king and weak back rank.

• In Round 4, he spotted White’s slip with 30. a4??, and responded with 30...Bd5+!! 31. Kg3 f4+! a brilliant fork. Even if White had played 31. Ke2, Bc4+! would have created another winning fork.

In Round 3, Arjun showed that tactics aren’t everything. He converted an even endgame into a win, using subtle pressure and patience which is a key skill many developing players overlook.

Of course, every tournament also brings valuable learning moments. In Round 2 game, Arjun tried to trap a bishop with 20...g5?!, missing White’s counterplay opportunity with 21. e6 (which, luckily, his opponent also missed). The better move? 20...Bg4!  more solid and positionally safe.

These are the types of small decisions that build long-term strength and Arjun is learning fast.

Arjun’s breakout results reflect a strong combination of:

• Blunder-spotting instincts

• Tactical alertness

• Composure in even positions and endgames

• Willingness to learn and bounce back

• And a touch of tournament luck never hurts!

Congratulations to Arjun, his supportive family, and his coach for this amazing stretch. His rapid improvement proves what’s possible when talent meets dedication, even in less than a year of competitive play.

So what’s next for Arjun and the other CCL rising stars? Could Columbus be the next battlefield, or will they continue testing the skills in new regions? We’ll be watching and can’t wait to share more tactical gems and milestones from their journey.

Stay tuned for more highlights soon!

“Dae San Kim’s inspiring journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and community support. From overcoming early setbacks to achieving remarkable milestones in chess, academics, leadership, and service, he has shown how dedication and a growth mindset can unlock incredible opportunities. His story reflects the heart of CCL’s mission: developing not just champions on the board, but well-rounded, compassionate leaders ready to make a positive impact in the world.” ~ Jeff Shen,  Head of CCL Chess School

Student Spotlight: Dae San Kim

Today, CCL is proud to celebrate the extraordinary journey of Dae San Kim, our 30th program graduate, whose remarkable achievements both on and off the chessboard have inspired us all. This fall, he will join the Stanford University Class of 2029.

Dae San’s love for chess began in kindergarten, sparked by his father and brother. Like many young players, he faced early setbacks; he recalls going 0/5 in his second tournament and wondering if he should ever play again. But instead of giving up, Dae San persevered, steadily improving and eventually joining CCL eight years ago. Through hard work, resilience, and the guidance of our amazing coaches GM Vlatko Bogdanovski and IM Atanas Kizov, he achieved his childhood goal of surpassing a 2000 Elo rating. Along the way, he captured the Ohio K-3 Championship, won five Ohio Grade Level Championships, the U2100 section of the Ohio Chess Congress, and earned many other top finishes. In high school, he also gave back by founding an after-school chess program for a low-income school in Cleveland.

Beyond the 64 squares, Dae San’s accomplishments are equally remarkable. At school, his leadership and initiative shine through his roles as co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, captain of Science Olympiad and math competition teams, NHS president, and co-president of the Asian-American Society.

Dae San completed four NASA internships, participated in environmental policy research, and even launched a climate tech start-up through the NASA SEES program, winning national prizes and an invitation to present at the prestigious AGU Bright STaRS conference. His list of service projects is equally inspiring, including tutoring, youth hospital council service, and caring for the homeless in Cleveland.

An accomplished musician, he studied electric guitar since third grade, toured with the School of Rock Headliners house band, played in his school’s jazz orchestra, and formed three rock bands that performed paid gigs around Cleveland.

His academic excellence is further reflected in a 1580 SAT (800 math), National Merit Finalist status, two-time AIME qualifier, and a US Presidential Scholar semifinalist honor.

This past spring, Dae San graduated with the highest GPA in his class and won his school’s top math prize. This fall, Dae San will head to Stanford University, where he hopes to study astrophysics, aerospace or mechanical engineering, computer science, or premed, following in the footsteps of his older brother, also a former Ohio chess champion.

Through it all, Dae San credits chess, his family, and the CCL community for giving him the resilience, confidence, and perspective to thrive. As he shared, “I’m incredibly grateful for the community at CCL and how they have supported me as a person and in becoming a better chess player.”

Dae San, your story reminds all of us of the power of perseverance, curiosity, and service. We could not be prouder of you, and we wish you the very best of luck as you embark on this exciting new chapter at Stanford and beyond. Keep reaching for the stars. We know you will continue to shine!

With warmest congratulations,
The entire CCL community