{"id":719,"date":"2023-01-01T07:55:58","date_gmt":"2023-01-01T07:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chessarea.com\/?p=719"},"modified":"2023-01-01T07:56:00","modified_gmt":"2023-01-01T07:56:00","slug":"chess-in-colorado-the-centennial-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chessarea.com\/chess-in-colorado-the-centennial-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Chess in Colorado – The Centennial State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Colorado is one of the best places to be if you want to develop your chess-playing skills. The state houses numerous chess clubs, tournaments, and championships at different levels. Read on to better understand the Colorado chess scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take a keen look at person\u2019s past, you\u2019ll note recreational games have always played a big role in social development. As humanity evolved, so did the complexity of these recreational games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chess<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But chess is more than just a recreational board game. Most studies reveal that people who take up chess earlier in life do better in memory retention, critical thinking, and analytical skills. In fact, chess is one of the few games with clear benefits to players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a parent, introducing your young one to chess will open up their minds and constructively engage their idle time. However, this does not mean chess is only beneficial if you start early. There are countless stores of people who started playing the board game relatively later and went on to dominate the chess scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

George Salwe is one of the success stories showing it\u2019s never too late to start playing chess. The Polish international chess player started in his 40s. His success was undeniable, and he was the second-highest-ranked Polish chess player at one point. Other examples include the likes of Oscar Shapiro, Joseph Blake, and Friend Bernard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of Chess in Colorado<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whenever you bring up Colorado State, people immediately think about the picturesque mountains, mesas, forests, rivers, canyons, and desert land. This wide variety of scenes, activities, and natural wonders play a big part in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The diversity in Colorado extends beyond its awe-striking features and wonders. The Centennial State is also a great place to start your chess career. Whether you are a beginner<\/a>, intermediary, or expert at the board game, you\u2019ll find enough people to practice with and compete against.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Old<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The scene of chess in Colorado is very similar to that of the entire country. Like in most other regions, the board game has been steadily growing in popularity. Initially, this was apparent for the adults and elderly generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, however, is no longer the state of chess in Colorado. Today, you\u2019ll find chess players as young as three years. Admittedly, these young ones are not grandmasters yet. They are, however, developing integral chess skills from a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the near future, you can expect the Continental State to produce more chess champions, both at the national and worldwide chess platforms. Currently, Colorado is home to a handful of grandmasters and other distinguished chess players. This, however, is likely to change as the State invests in developing the game in schools and throughout the younger generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The modern history of chess in Colorado dates back to the 1950s when the first Colorado Open was held. However, there has been a long and undocumented history of the board game in the Continental States. Today, the game is popular in schools and other learning institutions. This ensures continuity as more people are taking up chess in the Continental States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colorado Chess Setting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Colorado is the 8th largest State in the country and the 21st in population density. There are more than a few densely populated cities in the Continental States. The general population density in the State is about 52 people per square mile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the population stats above, it is clear why chess is such a popular game in the county. You are likely to find chess clubs and outlet shops in major cities like Denver. If you are looking for people to play with, you will more than likely have several options to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The average age in Colorado is about 34 years. This generally young population means there\u2019s also a focus on improving chess for younger generations. The Colorado State Chess Association has spearheaded numerous programs in learning institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, there are several junior chess tournaments aimed at attracting high school students to the game. This means the average age for people interested in chess within Colorado is relatively young. However, as mentioned above, there is a buzzing chess scene throughout different generational groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To appeal to the younger generations interested in chess, most chess clubs and related groups have an active social media presence. This is especially true for most governing bodies that remain active on major social medial platforms like Facebook and Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chess Grandmasters in Colorado<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As formerly mentioned, Colorado isn\u2019t one of the top places you think of when considering chess grandmasters. However, do not let this mislead you; there are still great champions of the board game to hail from the Continental State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alex Fishbein is arguably one of the top-rated chess players in the Continental State. It is worthwhile to mention that Alex was born in Russia in 1968. It wasn\u2019t until 1979 that Alex moved to the United States as a finance professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex would curve a name for himself in the chess hall of fame books from the 80s. In 982, he became a chess master before acquiring the coveted international chess master title just two years later. Not feeling quite a content yet, he would go on to become a chess grandmaster<\/a> in 1992.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has remained a chess fan and an active participant in the game to date. In 2020, he won the John T. Irwin tournament. He has also taken up a chess coaching role with an impressive student list, most of whom have won chess accolades at different levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashzegve Sharavdorj is another notable chess player from Colorado. The grandmaster was born in 1974 and has remained active in the board game to date. He has won various championships within and beyond the Continental State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other international chess masters in Colorado include Michael Valvo, Michael Mulyar, John Watson, and Hans Berliner. Senior masters include Randy Canney, Renard Anderson, David Gliksman, and James McCarty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colorado Chess Tournaments<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the data above regarding prolific chess players, you can easily tell there are opportunities to practice and better your skills. The Continental State hosts a plethora of tournaments and chess competitions at different intervals. Some of the high-ranking chess competitions in Colorado are;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Modern<\/figure>\n\n\n\n