Timur successfully completes 17 board blindfold simul with 15 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. Congrats to

Wow, it has been a wild last two days. It all started when I picked Timur and his friend Marck up at the Honda dealer...we came back to my house, had lunch and set up a rapid blindfold chess demo. We had fun cooking together and rigging the video cameras and getting our lighting just right. After a quick swim and a nap, we were ready to set up for the chess camp at Conejo Valley Chess Club. The intent of the meet and greet on Friday night was to have an opportunity to socialize with all the participants in a relaxed environment and have open play. Timur however, had different plans. He took command and asked each participant to get up and introduce themselves. He asked our two highest rated players to give their own lesson to the group. After giving an engaging lesson himself, Timur had a student, Justin Choi participate in his own blindfold simul. Justin faced away from the group. The group acted as a team playing black with each person getting to make a move on the demo board. Justin, age 10 and rated 1245 stunned the group when he was able to reach checkmate without looking at the board once. An interesting and exciting introduction to blindfold chess. The night ended with open play.

Today, we got to Conejo Valley Chess Club bright and early to set up for a structered blindfold simul. We had 17 particpants raging in age from 7-adult with ratings ranging from 240 to 2054. The boards were set up alternating black and white. The simul started at 9:30 and lasted 4 and half hours with two short 10 minute breaks. The time was of concern. Without a skittles room and with the need for silence, the particpants and spectators became increasingly restless. But the last standing 5 games were intense. We ended the last 5 games blitzing on a clock in order to keep wtih our schedule and give all a much needed change of pace. Timur ended with 16 wins and one loss. His loss was to Trent Chu, aged 12 and rated 1237. Congrats to Trent Chu!

Blitz was the name of the game in the afternoon. Everyone had fun with the blitz tourney. Tmur inspired parents to play as well. It was great fun for everyone. The winners of the blitz tournament were Quinn Creger (1st), Evan Vallens (2nd) and Noah Estiva (3rd). The three winners won prizes and then each had turns playing blitz with Timur.

After camp concluded for the day, Timur, Marck, Evan and I had more adventures when we went to visit a friend of Timur's in Camarillo for a block party. After visiting, snacking and playing some lawn games, we headed back to my house for my brother inlaws birthday BBQ. We relaxed in the jacuzzi and cooled off in the pool and we discussed Timur's plans to beat the Guiness book of world records and playing 50 chess boards blindfolded. Its happening folks......more details to come....

Here is Timur "behind the scenes".

Here is our next blindfold superstar, Justin Choi! Pictured here between Quinn Creger and Timur.

Here is Quinn giving a lesson to the group.

A healthy body feeds a healthy mind.