The CCL Chess School

Chess, Community and Learning

 

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

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

2024 State Grade Levels

CCL scores of 3.5 or more.

G12 Dae San Kim - 2nd place 4 pts
G10 Minghao Gu - Co-champion 4 pts
G9 Siddarth Kunapuli - Champion 4.5 pts; Jack Hamilton and Arnav Kodkani 4.0 pts; Olivia Panciu 3.5 pts.
G8 Andrew Zhu Co-Champion 4.5 pts.; Louis Zhang 4 pts.; Samar Gukpta 3.5 pts
G7 Yicheng Lin 3.5 pts
G6 Evan Fan Champion 4.5 pts.; Shiv Srinivasan and Maxwell Chung 4 pts.; Om Chatterjee 3.5 pts.
G5 Shaurya Kuirulekar 4.0 pts.
G4 Aadhi Adaikappan - Champion 5 pts.; Aanya Parul Karthikeyan 4 pts.
G3 Atharv Natarajan and Soham Gupta 4 pts.

Life Master Walker Griggs is giving lessons!

It is a pleasure to see Walker active in CCL again.  Walker is a CCL graduate whose rating is perennially in the upper 2300’s.  Presently, Walker does not have enough hours in the day.  Taxed to the limit, he will still give some lessons, but you must travel to Mt. Vernon (about an hour from Columbus).  Walker will be coming to the Ohio Grade Levels, where he will be reviewing the kid’s games after they complete them.