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The CCL Chess School

Chess, Community and Learning

 

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

CCL shines at Cardinal Open

January 29, 2014

  • CCL shined at the Cardinal Open just like they seem to be doing at most major Ohio tournaments of late
    • John Hughes and Coach Atanas finish in a two way tie for 1st place in the Cardinal.  John continues to amaze with this wonderful followup to winning the State Championship.  Atanas, as I have told you in the past and now you can see for yourself, is a high quality chess player and person.  We are so glad to have such an ideal chess coach as part of our program.
    • The top CCL money makers were:
      • Open
        • John
          • 2 way tie for 1st – 2nd = 1000
          • Bonus on tiebreak = 100
          • Upset prize = 50
          • ( 2nd place in speed tournament = 25 )
        • Atanas – 2 way tie for 1st – 2nd = 1000
        • Goran – tied for 3rd = 225
        • Chris, Maggie, and Alan – tied for 2nd U-2300 = 64.50
      • U-2100
        • Sam (with a bye in the last round!)
          • 2 way-tie for 1st = 543.50
          • Upset prize = 50
        • Noah – 2 way-tie for 1st = 543.50
      • U-1800
        • Shourjya – tied for 2nd = 201.33
        • Ayush – upset prize = 50
      • U-1500
        • Kian = tied for 2nd place = 126
        • Dakshin = tied for 2nd place = 126
    • Cardinal 25 club
      • Dakshin                +160      1390
      • Ayush                   +132      1452
      • Sam                      +108      2067
      • Shourjya              +98        1750
      • Kian                      +97        1509
      • Ganesh                 +95        1680
      • Ethan                    +92        1389
      • Tim                       +85        1862
      • Noah                    +59        2082
      • Alan Z                   +52        993
      • John                      +51        2300
      • Chris                     +49        2007
      • Lainie                   +47        1478
      • Joe                         +46        1556
      • Viktor                   +45        1314
      • Cody                     +41        1621
      • Stella                    +37        1418
      • Just missing ( Monish +24 = 1688, Anagh +24 = 2004)
  • We also have 2 more CCL graduates as a result of this tournament, the first time that this has happened at a single event.
    • Congratulations to CCL graduates Sam Massick and Anagh Kulkarni, our 9th and 10th CCL graduates.
    • What is a CCL graduate?  It is an honorary degree that we give to any CCL player who has worked their way through the ranks while in CCL and has made a USCF experts rating (>= 2000).   It entitles them to lifetime membership in CCL, based on good behavior, without the requirements of taking lessons.  They are allowed to receive email spam from me for the rest of their lives!!  Although graduates are no longer required to take lessons while in CCL, all of our previous graduates are still active students in CCL.
  • CCL graduates are (in order of obtainment):
    • John Hughes
    • Walker Griggs
    • Maggie Feng
    • Rahul Ramaswamy
    • Annorjan Naguleswaran
    • Luke Xie
    • Chris Shen
    • Noah Keating-Adams
    • Sam Massick
    • Anagh Kulkarni

Filed Under: News

CCL proudly helps to sponsor two FIDE Invitationals

January 23, 2014

Ohio Scholastic Invitational

I am so glad that CCL is able to play a role in bringing two FIDE invitational tournaments to Ohio.  Although CCL is an official sponsor, most of the work and costs were absorbed by the parents of CCL member John Hughes, Sally and Martin Hughes.   Also, a  special thanks goes out to the many CCL members that helped to make this event possible.   This is a great moment for chess in Ohio.

The first event is the CCL IM Norm Tournament.  In order to earn a FIDE International Master title, a player must achieve a specified result in three tournaments with international players and strength of opponents that meet rigorous standards established by FIDE, a result that is call a “norm”. The CCL Norm Tournament will meet all these standards, so our local players will have a chance to compete on the first step to an IM title.

This event will be held from February 14 – 18, 2014 at 150 East Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington, Ohio.  Two CCL coaches (IM Goran Vojinovic and IM Atanas Kizov) as well as two CCL students; NM and two time State of Ohio Champion Walker Griggs and current State of Ohio Champion NM John Hughes, will be competing in this 10 player round robin.  The field will also include some of the top chess talent from around the Midwest.  It is expected that most players will need to score 6.5 to earn a leg on an IM title.

With an average USCF rating of over 2400, the following players will be competing in this round robin invitational:

International Masters: IM Goran Vojinovic, IM Atanas Kizov, IM Mauricio Arias Santana

Norm Seekers:

FM Sean Vibbert (Indiana) – Top rated player in Indiana

FM Seth Homa (Michigan) – Top rated player in Michigan

FM Atulya Shetty (Michigan) – National High School Champion

FM Awonder Liang (Wisconsin) – Two time World Youth Champion

NM Walker Griggs (Ohio) – Two time Ohio Champion

NM Scott Ramer (Ohio) – Central Ohio Invitational Champion

NM John Hughes (Ohio) – Ohio Champion, North American U16 Champion

 

The 2nd event is the Ohio Scholastic Invitational Championship.  A closed tournament, limited to the top 25 scholastic players in Ohio. By invitation only. Play against only the top scholastic players in the state.

Format:                           5SS   40/90, G/30, +30 seconds per move

Rating:                            FIDE and USCF rated

Schedule:                        February 14 – 16. Round 1, 7:00 pm.  Sat. 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. Sun. 10:00 am and 5:00 pm

Location:                         150 East Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington, Ohio   43085

It will be the only tournament where all the top scholastic players will be able to slug it out without limitation by grade, or by one student being favored by random pairings against lower rated players.  The Ohio Scholastic Invitational Championship will be held in conjunction with the CCL IM Norm tournament.  Be there for the first norm tournament in Ohio in 30 years. Be part of history.

In order to assure top playing conditions for this championship and the IM norm tournament, there will only be 20 spaces available.  The first 20 players to return their entries will get the chance to play.

                   Sponsored by CCL, Fahey Bank, and many volunteers.

Filed Under: News

CCL Chess Camp 4

January 15, 2014

Saturday and Sunday      February 8 – 9th

This time both of our camps are going to be held concurrently at the same place, although in different rooms.  By the incredible generosity of the Yeluguri family, we will be holding the two chess camps in two large rooms in their home.  There will be multiple titled chess coaches giving the lesson, moving from group to group.  I feel that there will be greater value in this approach as the students can learn chess from two different accomplished coaches, who each have their own perspective on the game.   It is the CCL attempt to provide the very best in everything that we do.  Please pack a lunch to eat during a game playing break in the middle of the camp.  These camps are only open to CCL, Pre-CCL, and Alan’s OCCS Advanced Chess Class.

Space is limited to these camps are first come, first serve.

 

Date:  February 8 – 9th

Time:  9:30 – 4:30, total of 14 hours

Place:  Monish and Ganesh’s home

244 Long Branch Run

Delaware Ohio 43015

U-1600

Limited to the 1st 24 who sign up!

 

O-1600

Limited to the 1st 20 who sign up!

This section is for players rated over 1600.  However, if you are rated between 1400 and 1600 you can request entry into this section.

 

Registration is now open

 

Cost per camp:

 

If paid by 01/31

One day = $100

Two day = $175

 

If paid on or after 02/01 =

One day = $125

Two day = $200

 

2nd child from the same family is 50% off

 

Registration to:

Alan Casden

7520 Deer Crossing Court

Worthington, Ohio   43085

 

acasden@insight.rr.com

(614) 561-2718

 

Filed Under: News

Chess/Math is now at CCL and CCL only!

January 8, 2014

World renowned mathematician, Dr. Harvey Friedman, has joined forces with CCL.  He will be working with the students of CCL to create new discoveries in the area where chess, mathematics, and computer science intersect.  Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to work side by side, on a chess/math project, with one of the top mathematicians of our time.  Click <here> for more details.

Dr. Harvey Friedman

Filed Under: News

CCL at the National Grade Levels, Jason finishes 1st and Aristo finishes 2nd

December 18, 2013

With 7 CCL players participating in the overlapping World Youth Championships, only two of us made the trip to Orlando for the National Grade Levels.  However, those two did not disappoint.

Jason at National Grade Levels

  • Jason Wang swept the field with a perfect 7-0 score, finishing a full point ahead of the rest of the field.  Jason is now the national champion of 2nd grade!

Aristo at National Grade Levels

  • Aristo had a strong 6-1 finish at the National 5th grade championship.  He finished just ½ point behind the 1st place finisher, tying for 2nd place.

Filed Under: News

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Introduction to Our Community Chess Instructional Program

Welcome to CCL, a community-driven chess instructional initiative designed to bring timeless chess to learners of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps on the board or an experienced player seeking to sharpen your strategies, our program offers something for everyone.

Chess is more than just a game—it fosters critical thinking, patience, and problem-solving skills. Our program is built around the belief that chess can unite people, challenge minds, and create opportunities for personal growth and community connection. To supplement the chess side of individual enrichment, we recently opened a prodigious activities wing to CCL, managed by renowned mathematician and prodigy Dr. Harvey Friedman.

Why Join Us?

Our program is driven by a passionate community of chess lovers dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive, and educational environment. For details on how the community fosters the program, please go to the menu option The Community. By participating, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Learn at your own pace with flexible instruction formats.
  • Join a vibrant chess community and make new friends who share your interests.
  • Enhance your cognitive skills, such as strategic thinking and decision-making.
  • Compete in local tournaments and represent our community.
  • Work with renowned mathematician and prodigy Dr. Harvey Friedman in other prodigious activities.

Let’s make chess an engaging and enriching part of our community. Join us today and start your chess journey! Together, we can grow our community and inspire a love for this incredible game.

The Coaches

  • alancasden2
    National Master Alan Casden
  • International Master Atanas Kizov -- CCL Head Coach --
  • Walker
    Life Master Walker Griggs
  • GM VLATKO BOGDANOVSKI
    Grand Master Vlatko Bogdanovski
  • Zoran
    International Master Zoran Arsovic
  • NM Vladimir Kizov
    National Master Vladimir Kizov
    Head of Pre-CCL
  • Jacob Eismann
    Jacob Eismann

The Rest of the Team

  • Jeff
    Jeff Shen
    Business Manager
  • Adai
    Adai Adaikappan
    Community Laison
  • Courtenay
    Courtenay James
    Organizer
  • Shiv
    Shivkumar Kurulekar
    IT System Admin
  • Jagdish Patel
    Jagdish Patel
    Newsletter Editor
  • Harvey
    Dr. Harvey Friedman - Head of Prodigious Activites

Recent Posts

  • CCL Chess Students Shine on the Podium at SuperNationals VIII in Orlando, FL May 12, 2025
  • NEWSLETTER OF THE MOTCF April 15, 2025
  • CCL March Chess Camps February 25, 2025
  • Siddarth Kunapuli becomes the 37th CCL Graduate February 2, 2025
  • Making our 2025 MOTCF Teams January 23, 2025
  • Welcome Jacob ! January 21, 2025
  • Jeff Shen is taking over the lead role at CCL December 26, 2024
  • Simul Stuff December 23, 2024
  • CCL Alumni/Student Chess GetTogether December 13, 2024
  • 2024 State Grade Levels November 27, 2024
  • Life Master Walker Griggs is giving lessons! October 29, 2024
  • Chess Math is here! October 27, 2024
  • An Evening with Atanas October 23, 2024
  • March CCL Chess Camps October 17, 2024
  • Maxwell again! Good Gosh September 16, 2024
  • Louis Zhang becomes the 36th CCL Graduate July 30, 2024
  • Major Changes in CCL June 6, 2024
  • Catch Up Time May 17, 2024
  • Cole Braun wins Ohio Middle School Championship February 27, 2024
  • CCL Chess Camp 4/20-21/2024 February 17, 2024
  • Rohan Padhye win Cardinal Open while CCL finishes very strong January 19, 2024
  • Mehmet is a National Champion December 19, 2023
  • CCL wins most of the grades at the Ohio Grade Levels November 25, 2023
  • Justin Storn wins State Championship while CCL soars September 5, 2023
  • Matt Wang becomes the 35th CCL Graduate May 23, 2023
  • 2023 MOTCF March 29, 2023
  • 2023 Queen City Classic March 29, 2023
  • Kevin Xu February 25, 2023
  • Minghao Gu becomes the 34th CCL Graduate February 6, 2023
  • Jason Wang wins the North American Open January 3, 2023

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