A Memorable Day of Master-Level Chess at Flying Minds

On Saturday, February 21st, Flying Minds Education Center hosted one of our most exciting chess events yet — a special workshop led by Hamed Mousavian, Calgary’s strongest active chess player and a renowned International Master. Fourteen lucky students had the rare opportunity to learn, train, and even compete against a master in an unforgettable afternoon of high-level chess.

A Deep Dive Into Middlegame Mastery

The event began with a 2-hour middlegame workshop, where IM Mousavian guided students through some of the most important themes every improving player must understand:

• Sharp calculation exercises to train visualization and decision-making

• How to navigate middlegames with an open center, including which plans to choose and which positions to avoid

• Maximizing piece activity, the core engine of all strong positions

• Finding tactics using active pieces, showing students how initiative converts into winning combinations

IM Mousavian broke down complex ideas into clear, practical lessons that students could immediately apply to their own games. The room was filled with focus, excitement, and plenty of “aha!” moments as our students absorbed world-class instruction. The Simul: 14 Boards vs. 1 Master

After the workshop, it was time for the main event — the simultaneous exhibition, where IM Mousavian faced all 14 students at once.

It was a blast for everyone:

• Several students recorded their games to study later

• A few made it past 40 moves, showing determination and grit

• Every student experienced the thrill of playing against a professional master

Despite their best efforts, IM Hamed Mousavian showcased his elite skill and delivered a clean sweep — winning all boards in under one hour. The students were amazed by how effortlessly he navigated each game, yet he still took moments to smile, encourage, and congratulate their good ideas.

Events like these highlight what makes Flying Minds special — giving young players access to real masters, real training, and real inspiration. Many students left the event motivated to study harder, practice more, and push their chess to new heights.

A huge thank-you to IM Hamed Mousavian for sharing his expertise and passion with our community, and to all the families who support their children’s growth through chess.

Stay tuned for more exciting workshops, tournaments, and training opportunities at Flying Minds!