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chess lessons, for players of all strengths and ages

THE CCL CHESS SCHOOL
Private Chess Lessons … with group activities
… for students of all ages and strengths

Alan Casden – CEO – (614) 561-2718
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Chris Shen becomes a National Master

February 9, 2015

Chris earns master rating

Congratulations to Chris Shen who became the 4th CCL member to become a USCF National Master. He is preceded by John Hughes, Walker Griggs, and Maggie Feng. The next in line is Luke Xie, who only needs another 18 rating points to earn this honor.  Chris will be on a team with Walker, Maggie, and Luke in next month's MOTCF tournament.

In this past weekend, Chris played in the FIDE rated Baltimore Open and achieved the U.S. National Master title.  During this tournament, Chris defeated one FM (USCF rating 2345, FIDE rating 2150), one IM (USCF rating 2364, FIDE rating 2308), then, he drew IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat (USCF rating 2479, FIDE rating 2419).   After scoring 2.5 out of 3, his live USCF rating went above 2200 and he decided to drop out the tournament in order to secure his first chess master title.  His post tournament rating now is 2215, and he may be the youngest chess master in Ohio history at the age of 10 years and 9 months. Chris was putting in a sustained effort, playing in 9 open tournaments from the east coast to the Midwest in the past three and one half months.  His hard work paid off and his rating increased by 159 points, only staying between 2100 and 2200 for 3 months. 

 The Baltimore Open is a perennial, traditional chess tournament which runs in early February of each year and is now FIDE rated.  The time control follows the FIDE rule of 40/90, SD 30, with 30 seconds increment.  This year, 80 players participated.  Other CCL players who participated were Emily Hu and Meghana Bhanuprasad.

Filed Under: News

The Coaches

  • alancasden2
    National Master Alan Casden
    -- CEO --
  • International Master Atanas Kizov -- CCL Head Coach --
  • GM VLATKO BOGDANOVSKI
    Grand Master Vlatko Bogdanovski
  • Zoran
    International Master Zoran Arsovic
  • FM_Sasa_Jevtic
    FIDE Master Sasa Jevtic
  • NM Vladimir Kizov
    National Master Vladimir Kizov
    Head of Pre-CCL
  • Jelena
    Woman FIDE Master Jelena Arsovic

The Best in Chess Instruction

How can we say that?
- read our blogs, our results speak for themselves

Why are we so successful?
- we use the top chess coaches from around the world
- we develop a chess community
- we use a team approach with experts in both chess and psychology
- over 1900 free chess book library
- we always put the student first

Who are our customers?
- we started in Ohio but now reach out to all of North America, currently with students in 20 states and 8 countries
- we address the needs of students of all ages and strengths (a CCL and Pre-CCL program)

Let us help you to live up to your potential.

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Recent Posts

  • Jason Wang wins the North American Open January 3, 2023
  • 2022 National Grade Level Championships December 31, 2022
  • For real? December 6, 2022
  • 2022 Ohio Grade Level Championships November 15, 2022
  • Michael Lin becomes the 33rd CCL Graduate September 14, 2022
  • Sneha becomes a TD while she, Jack, and Joshua each win a quad. August 14, 2022
  • Rohan Padhye wins Joe Yun Memorial and becomes a Chess Master July 20, 2022
  • CCL at the National Elementary School Championship May 20, 2022
  • Jason Wang wins Ohio HS Championship while Rohan Padhye takes MS Championship May 9, 2022
  • Where are they now? February 4, 2022
  • CCL wins Ohio Grade Levels in grades 6, 8, 9, 10 November 8, 2021
  • Three New CCL Graduates September 11, 2021
  • CCL Chess Camp 9/11-12/2021 July 4, 2021
  • CCL takes top 4 spots in the Ohio High School Championship April 24, 2021
  • CCL Youth wins Ohio Championships April 3, 2021
  • The sleeping giant awakens April 3, 2021
  • Dae San Kim with the 2020 CCL Chess Championship August 22, 2020
  • 2020 CCL Chess Championship August 12, 2020
  • US vs Canada Online Youth Chess Match August 4, 2020
  • CCL USCF rated online chess tournaments June 9, 2020
  • 2020 Queen City Classic March 3, 2020
  • Some Holiday Results December 28, 2019
  • CCL wins most of the grades at the 2019 Ohio Grade Level Championships November 11, 2019
  • CCL tops the charts October 15, 2019
  • CCL Chess Camp 11/2-3/2019 September 16, 2019
  • Elton Cao is the State of Ohio Chess Champion September 3, 2019
  • Jason Wang is the Barber Co-champion August 9, 2019
  • 2019 Columbus Chess League August 8, 2019
  • Chris Shen breaks 2400, setting CCL history July 20, 2019
  • CCL old picture test July 16, 2019

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