This April, Toronto emerged as the world’s most desired chess destination, pulling in enthusiasts from all over the globe. Hosting the FIDE Candidates event, the city metamorphosed into a little chess paradise, brimming with captivating side...
“In any given moment, we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety” – Abraham Maslow How do you keep your competitive spirit alive when life happens, and you’re in the deepest dark? Man...
The countdown is on! The pairings have been drawn. The time is accelerating as the world holds its breath. Eager volunteers are lining up like pawns in a row to dedicate their time and raving enthusiasm to the highly anticipated event of the year ...
A few people have asked me: "How do you manage to play chess when you have kids?" Well, here is how it goes on good days ... Stay strong mamas!! We'll get there ... eventually ...
Who is the talented and beautiful blond commentator running the Champion Chess Tour Finals 2023 (CCTF) here in Toronto? I bet you’re all shouting in union: the Norwegian sports journalist Kaja Maria Snare! Yes, but that’s not my a...
Amidst the uneventful bustle of a Toronto hotel lobby, an unsuspecting visitor might glide through the cozy ambiance, oblivious to its underground world. But in that lobby, beneath your very feet, life is pulsating with the incredible energy of th...
Let’s discuss an interesting psychological moment: when does a person start to feel complete autonomy and take action and responsibility for his/her life? At what moment, instead of letting things happen to you, did you become the driver and...
St. Casimir’s Parish Hall. Sept 2, 2023. A scrawny middle-aged woman slips effortlessly through the building’s door, unseen. She is here on a mission, to compete in the Toronto Open 2023, U1900. Will she lose ALL of her games, like las...
In a checkered Kingdom ruled by kingsWhere we adore our precious queens,A shadow creeps ‘n this game for twoAnd trembling voice whispers - “Me too.” We, women in chess, we speak our truthWe’ve been harassed, we&rsq...
Hi guys! If you’ve read my previous blog, and rooted for Liubov Shtepa, this update is for you! But first, I want to thank everyone here who made a donation, shared the blog, rooted for, and/or simply sent positive vibes Shtepa’s way...
Imagine a jolly, little girl living peacefully in Kyiv, Ukraine. She enjoys school, frolicking with her friends, and going to the chess club. Early in 2022, she competes in her first chess tournament where she gets her first Ukrainian norm and sho...
An angry swear word fell off his lips as my opponent blundered during one of our casual games. “Gotcha,” I chuckled, naively. Frustration, anger, swearing, and self-defeat – I’ve seen it all when people blunder. What I didn...
I spent my life playing a game.And now for loneliness I blame,No other but myself. Indeed,In love with chess, I fell so deep. And in this world of black and whiteI was immersed all day and night.Nimzowitsch, Fischer, Morphy, TalEach one by one b...
Mike Klein put his head and $10,000 on the line by challenging Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, to a chess match last week in his tweet. The face of Chesskid.com, FunMasterMike, is called “fun” for a reason. Who wouldn&rs...
I felt like a thief. With every photo I took of Magnus Carlsen, I stole his privacy and personal space. And he saw me stealing away... My hometown, Toronto, just got lucky with the arrival of the King. It generated quite a stir in the chess comm...
Dear Canadians, What an exciting time for all of us! How many of you would love to see our favourite game of chess supported by the Canadian Government? We can now make this happen … with a bit of YOUR help! When it comes to chess, for ...
Dec 9, 2022. Hart House, University of Toronto campus. A scrawny, middle-aged woman is battling with the building’s heavy front door to get in. She is here on a mission - to compete in the Hart House’s Holidays Open tournament. This wo...
It took him 34 seconds, a ferocious attack, and a gentle smile to temporarily destroy all my self-confidence in chess. Charismatic, merciless, faster than lightning, he showed me what high-class chess is all about ... And just how far, faaaar away...
Ever since I had my first child eight years ago, most of the new friends I made were mommy friends. Together, we built sand castles in the sandbox with our little off-springs; exchanged cookie recipes, agonized over our babies’ unexplained r...
This was one of those moments where you work, work, work towards something and then boom! The reality hits. You realize that all the work and effort you’ve put into a project was … a waste. My project – the Pirc Defense. Since...
The Gifts They come in small gifts. You can take them or leave them. I’ve been getting these gifts throughout my entire life. Sometimes in abundance. Other times they were scarce. For many years - non-existent. This year I got plenty! Ea...
Once, when asked how the knight moves, Magnus Carlsen responded: “Like an L. And sometimes in blitz games it can be very unpredictable.” This was one of those blitz games … I was playing a casual match in a park ag...
I survived!! What an incredible, mind-blowing, and challenging experience this was! Exciting, nerve-wracking, emotional, and totally overwhelming! In short, I just finished playing in the Canadian Open 2022. My first tournament since 2011. In ever...
This is it, guys! Tomorrow I will compete in the Canadian Open 2022, my first tournament since 2011! Exciiiting! And … downright scaaaryyy! “Oh, why so?”, you might ask. Well, where to begin? Oh, here: Background Every once ...
It’s amazing how people we cross paths with can set us off in an unexpected direction, even decades after the brief encounter. It all began here with Hugh - a guy who played chess in the same tournaments as I some 20 years ago. We never talk...
