Gainesville Chess Training

Here is my bold prediction: Gukesh will become the youngest World Champion in history later this year, BUT he won't hold that record for too long.

Thanks to the ACSCA, UF Professor Subhajyoti Bandyopadhyay and https://www.facebook.com/BoardwalkApartments and School Staff and Teacher for their support with the Chess Program at Lake Forest Elementary School. Only one person in the picture but the results are the effort of many individuals : ) Picture by Eytan Oren

Book Review:

Mindful Chess: The Spiritual Journey of a Professional Chess Player
By GM Paul Van Der Sterren

GM Paul van Der Sterren is a former candidate for the World Chess Championship, and writer. Two books by van Der Sterren, Fundamental Chess Openings and Your First Chess Lessons, caught my attention because of their clarity and concise explanations. The new book Mindful Chess, The Spiritual Journey of a Professional Chess Player, is written by Van Der Sterren in a more flexible style than the previous books mentioned above. The stylistic charm of the two interwoven circular structures in Mindful Chess makes it more enjoyable to read. When you finish the book, the author’s chess journey and the role of mindfulness fits together.

The first circular structure was built during Van Der Sterren's journey from amateur to chess professional and back to amateur. The second structure starts with the introduction of the three characteristics of existence, which are Aniccia (impermanence), Dukkha (suffering), and Anatta (non-individual). After completing his career as a chess professional, the author describes his journey as a meditation teacher.

At the end of this journey, van Der Sterren realized that in his life events happen and encompassed aniccia. The changing nature of life (Aniccia) will burden (Dukhha) the individual resisting change. Fortunately, the suffering of the individual will be alleviated by Annatta or the grace of the non-existence of individuality.

The author successfully made the content of the book relatable to any chess player. The book also provides the reader with a reality check about what mindfulness can and cannot do for a chess player. This explanation about the chess improvements attributions to the practice of mindfulness is very important. Many chess players have an intuitive belief that mindfulness practice can improve their performance, but they may find themselves pleasantly disappointed.

Mindfulness offers much more to the chess player than just a tool for playing better. It can also be a way to self-discovery. Mindful Chess can provide chess players with valuable insights into non-performance-related issues that can be addressed through mindfulness practice. The reader will be delighted with the time they spend enjoying this well-written and potentially life-changing book.

Gainesville Chess Training Gainesville (FL) has talented chess players of all ages. Gainesville Chess Training helps scholastic

Pleased to see Brooks Chandler (blue, t-shirt) smash the coveted 1800 USCF rating barrier at The Ocala Classic 2022. In addition to my coaching Brooks received positive influence and significant help from the Jax chess community. Notably, Anthony Coleman (orange shirt) and FIDE Master Jorge Oquendo (white shirt) and the Jacksonville Chess Club.

Congratulations to Brooks on a very productive 2022 summer, improving his level of play and earning more than 200 rating points.

Congratulations to Brooks Chandler for winning the class B section at the Sunshine Open last weekend with 4.5/5 points. Brook's rating went up from 1564 to 1734 in less than 8 weeks of training at Gainesville Chess Training. I am not surprised that Brooks is progressing so quickly given his chess talent and work ethic during and after each training session.

Brooks comes from the Jacksonville Club lead by Kevin Pryor, George F and Pamela Herber where I coached the Advance Class the past year. The Jacksonville Chess Club makes a big impact in the North Florida area promoting chess at different levels. Brooks is one of the many students the Jax Club is helping to move up the chess ranks.

Lincoln Middle School won first place individually and as team in the K-8 division at the Florida State Scholastic Championship 2022.
This year we have the largest team since I remember with a good mix of seasoned tournaments players and first time tournament players from the Lincoln chess club. Oh and the school also won a trophy in the ultra competitive bughouse tournament!

Thank you to the Lincoln administrators(particularly Principal Strappy and Our Faculty sponsor Mr. Brown), parents and players for their time and commitment to the school team over the years.
Disclosure: I only run the chess club and coach one of the players, so other coaches as also part of the success of the team.