The CCL Chess School

Chess, Community and Learning

 

Chess lessons and more, for players of all strengths and ages.

Making our 2025 MOTCF Teams

Special Reunion Edition

MOTCF - March 22-23
Jr. MOTCF - March 22 only

What I consider the best tournament in the Midwest is just over eight weeks away. The tournament is MOTCF, the Midwest Open Team Chess Festival. This is a tough tournament where we will make as many teams as possible.  I am making the teams for CCL. We will have many teams at this team tournament, with many of our top players competing. I've included details on this tournament below. However, do not enter the tournament on your own.  If you want to play, fill out the CCL form by Clicking Here or going to https://cclchess.com/motcf/.  I will submit the teams and pay the entry fees. Then, I will email you to collect your part of the entry fee.

I hope to see you at this great team event.  Many chess players play only in this tournament once per year, as it is a reunion for many players.  Join the tradition.  I hope that some of our CCL players who are off in college make it back for this event.  IM Atanas Kizov, LM Walker Griggs, and LM Maggie Feng are playing on a CCL team. I will be making our teams soon, so if you are going to play, please fill out the form NOW!  I like to get these teams in well in advance so that everyone knows if they made it on a team and who they are playing with and can plan accordingly.  The last day to enter a CCL team is February 15. This is an updated date.

Why is this the Special Reunion Edition? I have just turned CCL over to the community, and although I still plan to participate in CCL, life is unpredictable.  I thought that this would be an excellent time for our first MOTCF reunion.  The CCL team is open to everyone who has ever participated in CCL.  If you thought someday you would return to Columbus for an MOTCF, make 2025 the year.  I would like to see you all one more time. for information on the tournament, CLICK HERE.

Welcome Jacob !

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Jacob Eismann is joining CCL as a coach, and he will focus on mentoring the next generation of chess players, sharing his extensive experience in competitive chess, and helping students develop their strategic skills.

He is a former CCL students, and he has been playing competitive chess for almost 20 years, starting at the age of 7.

He graduated from Columbus Academy, then went on to earn a Finance degree at the University of Kentucky, where he was also a member of the UK Swim Team from 2019-2022. Jacob is now a Product Manager for a large, international software company, and lives in Columbus, Ohio. When not playing chess (or working), he also plays soccer, video games, and continues to swim competitively.

Jeff Shen is taking over the lead role at CCL

Jeff

We are thrilled to introduce our new business manager, Jeff Shen, a local tournament director and lifelong chess enthusiast. As a dedicated scientist, Jeff brings analytical expertise and a deep appreciation for strategy to our chess program. He is also the proud father of a former CCL student, giving him a personal connection to our mission of nurturing young talent. With his passion for chess, commitment to the community, and vision for inspiring young minds, Jeff is ready to lead our program into an exciting new chapter.

This is part of our plan to have a community-run CCL specifically structured to meet the community's needs. Starting January 1, we will be functionally running CCL v.2. We still have some paperwork to do, which could drag on for a few months, but we will be operating as the new CCL! I plan to document everything on this website by January 1, our official kickoff day.

Simul Stuff

Below are photos from the simul. Our photographer had to leave before the 'olders' arrived. John Hughes won all of his games in the simul. He pointed out that his most challenging game was with Het. The 'olders' include Jacob Eismann, Abhi Ramaswamy, Sanjay Medicherla, Sneha Prabu, and Zappy! There are very few out there who remember Zappy, aka Andrew Zhang. He was from the early days of CCL; about 15 years ago, I last saw Zappy! He was always fighting it out with now GM Jeffery Xiong for the Grade Level Championships at the younger grades.

CCL Alumni/Student Chess GetTogether

Yes, he is coming to give a private simultaneous exhibition to CCL. It is amazing how lucky we are. When I heard that John would give the simul, I told Nakamura that we didn't need him anymore as we got John. John is 'Person Zero' in CCL, as he was my only private student when I started CCL. He is the first CCL graduate and has a sole 1st place finish at a National Middle School Championship. Sorry Naka. John might be sensitive about his youthly appearance, so I must tell you that this picture is at least a year old.

We are setting up a unique event.

We want past CCL members to get together with current CCL players. The older members would be great role models for the younger members, and it would also be an excellent time to reconnect with some of your old friends. It will be on Saturday, December 21st, four days before Christmas.

The format is that John will start the simul at 1:00, and we will begin open play at 2:00, ending at 5. If you are coming for open play, you only need to be there at 2:00. It is in a lovely senior facility. We are their guests and need to behave in the best way possible. If you are below HS, you need adult supervision. This event is brought to you by the CCL Student Activity Group. It is free, and we provide some refreshments. Any attending previous students can also have one of our new CCL teeshirts for free.

We meet on the second floor of Harrison on Fifth, 579 W. 5th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201. This is near Grandview and opposite to Batelle. Parking is available outside the building, in the cost-free parking garage, and next door at the Hyatt Hotel.  We need everyone who wants to come to register.

Sign up For the CCL Alumni/Student Chess GetTogether

Click Here