Mike Klein

I’m the preferred teacher of @vishy64theking ‘s son? Biggest chess accomplishment of my life.

We made @alexandrabotez play 4 kids at once. In the ultimate Botez Gambit, she was losing on the first board after 8 moves. Was she able to recover? youtube.com/watch?v=KOJvdl…

@LiemChess You did great work there Liem Le!

After many rewarding years, my time at Webster University is coming to a close, as the university has decided to discontinue its chess program. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together. The Webster chess program established itself as one of the most successful collegiate chess programs in history, achieving sustained excellence at both the national and international levels. Over the past 14 years (2012–2026), our students captured 2 World Championships, 3 Olympiad gold medals, and more than 90 national titles. In collegiate competition, Webster remained the top-ranked program and qualified for the national championship every year. We won or tied for first place in 10 of 14 Pan American Intercollegiate Championships and secured 7 of 13 President’s Cups. I am deeply grateful to the visionary leaders who supported the program from the beginning, especially former Chancellor Dr. Elizabeth Stroble and former President Dr. Julian Schuster, as well as the dedicated staff, generous donors, and friends who helped build its success. I also want to sincerely thank the program’s founders and my predecessors, Susan Polgar and Paul Truong, for creating a legacy in collegiate chess that will be very difficult to match. Above all, I am most proud of our players. Their professionalism, outstanding work ethic, and commitment to excellence defined the program and made everything possible. More than 60 alumni — including many grandmasters from around the world — have graduated from Webster, and I am confident they will continue to thrive both on and off the chessboard. Although this chapter is ending, I am excited about the future and the new opportunities ahead to keep mentoring, competing, and contributing to the game I love. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey.

If you need some good news for your weekend, Bodhana always delivers! youtube.com/watch?v=PWpPXE…

Setting aside everything off the board, I had not revisited the actual @MagnusCarlsen vs. @HansMokeNiemann game in quite some time, so I decided to do a deep dive: youtube.com/watch?v=9zJawn…

Recently @alexandrabotez lost a bet to @AnnaCramling and her debt was being the next creator to face 4 eager kids. Today that debt is paid! Come watch @thelittlehat and me call the action!

I know he likes playing on a tablet but this feels a little like Rory Mcllroy using a wooden driver to keep things interesting Here’s the full wrapup of the opening two days of the @chesscom Open! youtu.be/g6SLpWzeAFc?si…

Wrapping everything up! Here's my top 9 lessons learned at the Candidates Tournament. Strangely I learned nothing about CS 2. youtube.com/watch?v=wvtqif…

I also watched his previous work in preparation about a small-town murder in the Outback of Australia. Highly recommended. He's great at getting reluctant people to trust him and talk! imdb.com/title/tt260818…

ICYMI here is a portion of my interview with Thomas Tancred, the director of the @netflix show "Chess Mates"! youtube.com/watch?v=v-jkkU…

4 Chess Prodigies vs. WFM Alexandra Botez?! 😲 Ashley Qian, Kenneth Alba, Abigail Zhou, and Larissa Mayorga are playing a SIMUL against the amazing Alexandra Botez next Monday in Kids vs. Stars! 🌟

The most highly-decorated Counterstrike player of all time. @GMJSindarov is awarded the "Mehnat shuhrati" medal (Labor Glory) by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 📸: @Uzchesss

Sindarov: "Whatever you want to do, you can do here. I really enjoyed... I played video games, I played padel, I do everything, I was chilling here... I want to play every tournament in the same conditions!"

In the final wrapup video from the Candidates, @chessvaishali clinches her spot in the Women's World Championship and will attempt to become the first-ever women's champ from India! youtube.com/watch?v=U2z7_S…

@Grahamelomey @chess24com @chesscom @GMJSindarov Trust me, I tried. Javokhir has been asking his parents but they have been unable to find it. I will post the minute I get it!

@ChessMike @chess24com @chesscom @GMJSindarov Mike, you got that childhood pic of Sindarov with Naka ?

In 2016 Mukhiddin Madaminov was unrated and idolized Javokhir Sindarov, who was 2400. Now they’re best friends, grandmasters, and preparing for a world championship.

@EmilSutovsky Singapore

Gukesh-Sindarov will be an epic clash. The youngest ever for the biggest Title in chess. Two amazing players. Two real fighters. Courageous. Energetic. Determined. Composed. Both rely heavily on their outstanding calculation ability. But there are significant differences of course. And the one who brings the betrer version of himself for the Match will prevail. In the coming week FIDE will be busy reviewing the options for the location. Dates are set at the end of November - first half of December. Question for the fans: Of course, India and/or Uzbekistan are two logical options. But if not there, where would you see it proper to be hosted?

@JanjacReturns @GMJSindarov I like our mission and my teammates at @chesscom

@ChessMike @GMJSindarov You are a good man Mike, why still working for Mafia?

He can easily beat me in chess and probably in Counterstrike, but we’re equals in a footrace. Congrats @GMJSindarov it has been a joy to report on your historic win! Photo: Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam

He did it! And now we will have two 20-year-olds competing in the world championship. I can't wait for @GMJSindarov vs. @DGukesh. This one is gonna be fun. Here's the round 13 wrapup where he could have punched his ticket using a stalemate trick!! youtube.com/watch?v=8ix8f5…

"Let's make history"