Category Archives: Chess in Salt Lake Area

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Chess in Salt Lake Area

Chess Tournament in Utah

By the chess tutor Jonathan Whitcomb

I begin with congratulating my chess student Adam Deng, who won second place in the second section of a USCF rated tournament in Salt Lake City last month, improving his provisional rating from 342 to 505. He played without a loss, getting two wins and one draw in that chess tournament, which was sponsored by the Sunshine Chess Club. In that competition, Adam defeated Andrew Bi, first place winner of the Elementary Championship tournament, in the first grade division for the state of Utah, held earlier in the year at the University of Utah.

Steve Gustavson Memorial Chess Tournament

I’ll be directing this tournament at the Sandy Senior Center, and everyone is invited to attend this free event. You can play one or more informal games or participate in the four-round chess tournament; everything is free. It begins on Thursday, May 3, 2018, and the tournament will continue for the following three Thursdays, every round beginning at close to 3:30 p.m. and ending at about 5:30. Chess players (and their friends and family) of all ages are invited to either informal games or the tournament: children, seniors, and in-between. To register ahead of time (which is highly recommended) for the tournament, contact me; there is no cost or obligation at all, even if you are not sure that you’ll be attending.

At least one small trophy will probably be awarded, depending on the number of participants in this free chess tournament. It will not be rated by the USCF, but it may be rated using the UCER system, which is free of charge.

Utah Chess Championship Tournament for Children

Held at the University of Utah, on Saturday, March 10, 2018, the state Elementary Championship had seven divisions, kindergarten through sixth grade, and was rated by the United States Chess Federation. In all, 454 children participated in the tournament.

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chess tournament for children in Utah

Kids before a round of a chess tournament in Utah in 2018

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Chess in Salt Lake Area

Chess Lessons by a Tutor Near Salt Lake City

I, Jonathan Whitcomb, can drive to your community, if you live in the Salt Lake Valley (at least if it’s not too many miles from where I live in Murray). I am available for chess lectures in public libraries or to other groups, probably at no charge.

I also offer my services as in private chess lessons at $25 per hour-long sessions. These tutoring lessons can be at your home or at a public park or library in the Salt Lake Valley. The first introductory session is free, to allow us to get to know each other:

  1. How I can best help you in lessons
  2. Where you now stand in your chess abilities

About Jonathan Whitcomb

For those who would like to know a bit about me before deciding to take private chess lessons, here is a brief summary.

My wife Gladys and I moved to Murray, Utah, early in 2014, from Long Beach, California, where we had a large family child care home for many years. She retired from her child care business after about thirty years of work, and we left it in good standing with the state licensing organization, with families who were happy with how we cared for their children (references available).

Jonathan Whitcomb and his wife Gladys in Utah

Jonathan and Gladys after they moved to the Salt Lake Valley

I helped my wife in a number of ways, including driving children to and from school and giving chess lessons. I also taught some of the children piano lessons.

In my education and in my own business ventures, I have had various experiences, including the following:

  • Graduated from Control Data Institute in Pasadena, California
  • Certified by the American Guild of Court Videographers
  • Led a small expedition in Papua New Guinea in 2004
  • Wrote four nonfiction books in eight editions
  • Published a scientific paper in a peer-reviewed journal

Chess lessons in this part of Utah

The Salt Lake area of the state does not have a specially deep or broad history of chess accomplishments, at least not in comparison to large cities and states in other areas of the country. Yet we do have at least two grandmasters and a number of masters.

You can call me at 801-590-9692 (or contact my by email) and ask me what you will concerning the game of chess. We can discuss the game without your committing to any private lessons, so feel free to get in touch with me.

chess tutor Jonathan Whitcomb

Jonathan Whitcomb, chess tutor for the Salt Lake Valley

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Chess Lessons in Holladay, Utah

I’m a chess tutor in Murray, Utah, offering private and group lessons in many communities and cities in the Salt Lake Valley. (Lessons cost $25 per one-hour session but with a free preliminary getting-acquainted session). One of those cities is Holladay.

Chess Coach Gives Lessons in Salt Lake Valley

. . . Thus ended the battle between two chess coaches in the Salt Lake Valley, on a hot day in June, 2016 [it ended in a draw]. I should mention that Alex and I had played two 5-minute games before the simultaneous, and he beat me both times.

Salt Lake Valley – Private Chess Lessons

Jonathan Whitcomb, of Murray, Utah, author of the new book Beat That Kid in Chess, is now offering private and group lessons. His abilities can benefit 99% of those who live in the Salt Lake Valley, whatever your present skill in chess [and whatever your age].

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