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The CCL Chess School

Chess, Community and Learning

 

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

Coach Hans and CCL shines at Ohio Chess Congress

September 4, 2014

o   First of all, congratulations to Coach Hans for winning the State Championship (and $1000) this year and keeping it as a CCL tradition for the 4th straight year.  Although this was Han’s first state championship he looked like someone who wins it every year.  He took a 1st round bye then won 4 in a row before giving up a ‘clinch the tournament’ draw in the last round.  From what I could see, he never seemed in trouble throughout the event, playing relaxed and with focus.

o   On a personal note, I had a rough going. I decided not to take morning byes and consequently was paired against CCL players Noah Keating-Adams and Blake Baumgartner on two consecutive mornings.  They both simply outworked me, making me feel like the old man that I am becoming.  I was torn between being disgusted and proud, saddened and happy.  It stinks to lose but there is also an immense joy that I experience when I see how well you are all playing.  I dropped out of the tournament in the last round and watched your games.  I cannot express in words how impressed and blissful I felt watching you play.  You have come so far and you are so young.  So mature beyond your years.  I tried to hold back my smiles, not wanting to appear like a father who thought that their kids were the best ‘Sneetches on the Beaches’.   I am so proud of you, and of the excellent coaching staff that we have at CCL.  I doubt that there is anything, anywhere, quite like what we are doing now.  It is an honor to be part of this experience.

o  IMG_3531

o   They had a ceremony before the last round where they singled out 5 kids as being the future of chess in Ohio.  They were CCL players (l-r) Dakshin Pisini, Vincent Baker, Alan Zhang, Jason Wang, and Emma Cheng.  Chris Shen was wondering why he was not chosen since he is so young and higher rated than anyone else in that group.  That is obvious, it is because Chris is not part of the future of chess in Ohio, he is part of the present!

o   You all played so well that I hate to single out just a few but I will

  • 2014 – 2015 State of Ohio Chess Champion = Coach Hans Multhopp
  • U – 2000 Clear 2nd place = Abhi Ramaswamy
  • U-1400 was dominated by the CCL girls:
    • Clear 1st place = Stella Huang
    • Clear 2nd place = Emma Cheng
    • Clear top U-1100 = Victoria Baker
  • Gained most rating point (143) = Dakshin Pisini

–          The 25 Club

o   Dakshin Pisini              +143    1496    Ohio Chess Congress

o   Emma Cheng              +100    1324    Ohio Chess Congress (2nd Place U-1400 $350)

o   Elton Cao                     +93      1613    Ohio Chess Congress (2-way tie for 3rd place in U-1700 $125)

o   Stella Huang                +75      1429    Ohio Chess Congress (1st Place U-1400 $650)

o   Kevin Wang                 +59      1654    Tennessee Open

o   Austin Yan                   +36      1775    Southwest Open

o   Vikram Srivastava       +35      2037    Ohio Chess Congress (2 way tie for u-2200 money – $225??)

o   Luke Xie                       +33      2095    Ohio Chess Congress

o   Abhi Ramaswamy       +28      2001    Ohio Chess Congress (2nd in U-2000 $500 ??)

o   Sujan Rachuri              +26      1660    Ohio Chess Congress (top U-1700

o   Almost (Alan Z, +19, Victoria +20 (won U-1100 money in U-1400 section $200), Nolan +20, Blake +23, Joshua +23)

o   Noah Keating-Adams  –  (2 way tie for u-2200 money – $225??)

o   Coach Hans – $1000 and title of State of Ohio Chess Champion

[royal cats=5]

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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

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