Montclair's Local Chess Guru Takes Home $600 Prize At World Open

From Montclair Cooperative School: Daniel Cruz of Montclair, assistant camp director at Montclair Cooperative School’s 2017 Summer Chess Camp, won 7th Place honors and a cash prize of $600 in the under 1400 United States Chess Federation rated section at the 45th Annual World Open, sponsored by the Continental Chess Association in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 29 through July 4th.

Cruz, a Montclair resident and community advocate, is well known among chess aficionados in the area. In addition to his role at the Co-op’s Chess Camp, he is the re-founder and coordinator of the Montclair Chess Club, which meets Tuesdays at the 73 See Gallery, located at 73 Pine Street.

For more information visit www.montclaircoop.org or the Montclair Chess Club on Facebook.

Founded in 1963, Montclair Cooperative School (the Co-op), located at 65 Chestnut Street in Montclair, is an independent, progressive, co-educational school, serving approximately 180 students from preschool through eighth grade. For more than 50 years, Montclair Cooperative School has been dedicated to providing engaging, creative, multi-disciplinary learning as a rigorous preparation for high school and beyond. Today, the Co-op remains deeply committed to creating a diverse and nurturing environment where children flourish intellectually and develop exceptional social skills, along with a deep sense of community and social justice.

Photo courtesy of Montclair Cooperative School: Daniel Cruz conducts a chess lesson at the Montclair Cooperative School's 2017 Summer Chess Camp