Coach Carter's Chess Academy

I’m running my first chess camp this summer in San Antonio.

We already have 6 kids signed up and still have a few spots left.

The goal is simple. Turn kids into little grandmasters while they have lots of fun!

We’ll mix real lessons with a lot of play and competition:
• Structured lessons covering the basic rules, openings, middlegames, endgames, and core concepts through real positions
• Puzzle Rush and tactical themes
• Guess the Move
• Chess history and trivia
• Casual play and a tournament between students
• Fun formats and team games
• Simultaneous exhibition + students vs Coach Carter blindfolded game at the end

All skill levels welcome.

July 6 to July 10
Ages 9 to 14
The Montessori School of San Antonio

Register here:
https://www.activekids.com/san-antonio-tx/science/camp/wk-4-coach-carter-s-chess-camp-fd-session-2026-108959237

Beginner players welcome 👋♟️

Our relaxed beginner chess series at Vela Coffee is underway, and registration is open for Weeks 2–5. You don’t need to have attended the first session to join.

Perfect if you’re brand new to chess, getting back into it, or want structured guidance without tournament pressure.

Week 2 will cover check, how games end, and simple checkmate patterns.

🆓 Free casual play at 6:45 PM
📍 Vela Coffee, downtown SA
🕕 Mondays, 6:00–7:30 PM
📅 Feb 2–Feb 23
💲 $20 per class or $70 for all four
🚗 Free street parking after 6 PM

Coffee, chess, and a low-stress learning environment.

Register here:
https://www.c3chess.com/event-list

Beginner Chess Cafe at Vela Coffee☕️♟️

Great turnout at Monday’s Beginner Chess Cafe at Vela. We covered the basics, played plenty of relaxed games, and saw a lot of first checkmates.

Big thanks to everyone who came out, kids, adults, and families.

Chess is a powerful way to build focus, memory, and confidence, and this group brought the energy.

Most beginner chess games aren’t lost because of bad strategy.

They’re lost because of missed tactics and free pieces.

If you’ve ever thought,
“I was doing fine… and then suddenly I lost,”
a simple tactical pattern was probably the reason.

I just published a new post breaking down 8 essential chess tactics every beginner must know, with clear explanations and examples.

If you want to spot opportunities faster and stop missing easy wins:

👉 Read the full guide:
https://www.c3chess.com/post/8-essential-chess-tactics-for-beginners?utm_campaign=f3f1e8cc-d2ab-4245-a3f5-a733b0ff183f&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail

8 Essential Tactics Every Beginner Must Know Most beginner games aren’t decided by deep strategy. They’re decided by missed tactics and failure to capture free pieces. Tactics are short combinations that create immediate advantages, like winning material or delivering check. If you can recognize a handful of common tactical patterns, the g...

Most beginner games don’t fall apart because of a tactic.
They fall apart in the first few moves.

Common mistakes I see all the time:
• Attacking before pieces are developed
• Moving the same piece over and over
• Bringing the queen out too early
• Pushing pawns that weaken the king

Strong openings aren’t about tricks or memorization.
They’re about setting your pieces up to succeed.

I just published a short guide breaking down 6 opening principles that help beginners reach solid middlegames with confidence.

♟️ Read here: https://www.c3chess.com/post/opening-principles-every-beginner-should-know

6 Opening Principles Every Beginner Should Know Most beginners think strong openings come from memorizing lines. But what happens when you don't remember the next move, or you haven't studied the opening before?Good openings come from understanding what your pieces are trying to do. When you follow principles, you naturally find solid moves even....

Last day of chess class at Rodriguez Montessori Elementary, SAISD♟️

To wrap up the semester, the students gave me a final challenge. I played them blindfolded.

No board. No pieces. Just visualization, memory, and focus.

It was not about showing off. It was about showing what is possible when you slow down, think ahead, and trust your preparation.

We also revisited one final lesson: do not push your f-pawn for no good reason. It weakens your king, creates problems you cannot see yet, and usually comes back to haunt you. Chess is good like that. It teaches consequences early.

Really proud of how far this group came and grateful to the families and staff at Rodriguez Montessori for a great semester.

If you are interested in after-school chess programs, private, or group lessons in San Antonio, feel free to reach out or send a message.