Jay Stallings runs chess camp featuring GM Timur Gareev

Timur came back for a visit this weekend and to participate in a chess camp I helped arrange with Jay Stallings in Santa Clarita. I invited Timur to join Evan and me at our Chess Club at West Valley. It was a nice surprise for TD Jerry Yee and some of the seasoned players of the club. I think it made Mike's day when he was able to stump the Grandmaster with a bishop, pawn endgame puzzle. Timur and Marck came back to my house and we did what we always do, chill out in the jacuzzi and talk about our mutual goals and big plans regarding chess in schools.

On Saturday, Jay ran a chess camp where students could participate in morning or afternoon sessions or stay for the full day. Evan attended for the morning session and I assisted by taking photos. The morning session was broken up into three groups made up of about 6-8 students by rating level. While Timur took the higher rated group and discussed the French Defense, Jay took the other groups and had them work on earning their skill stickers for their passport books and play blindfold chess. He had two kids playing a game of chess with an empty board. What a great exercise for the kids! Jay is such a creative chess instructor. He really understands how to keep the kids interested and engaged. I always learn so much when I see him teach. Evan really enjoyed the blindfold chess exercise with Jay and gained some valuable insight from the lesson with Timur. Although Timur can be goofy with the kids, he also has high expectations and challenges his students to think. It is obvious that he enjoys teaching and working with kids.

After each group had a chance to break into groups with Timur, there was a blindfold blitz exhibition between Coach Jay and Timur. The game was demonstrated on a projector. It was so much fun to watch.

We broke for lunch. Timur brought Evan and me to an Indian food buffet. Always an adventure with Timur and Marck. When we came back for the afternoon session, the room was set up for a blindfold simul. Timur played three students while blindfolded. It was a great 1 day chess camp.