Chess has had many names -The game of kings, the king of games, the royal game, and old man’s game. But none of these really tell the true story.

Chess is magical!

I have been a player for a half a century – I felt the thrill of my first tournament wins at twelve years old. I fell in love with how chess can change lives and started directing tournaments, teaching, and promoting the game in 1980.

Since then I have owned and/or ran many chess clubs and groups with a focus on schools, libraries, and public places. My alma mater high school team, which I coached for two years, took fourth in the city after defeating the then extreme powerhouse team of Kenwood Academy.

Hundreds of tournaments had me on staff – dozens of others I organized and promoted.  I played in the 2000 Illinois State Championship Open event, scoring 6 wins and no losses in the Reserve section, winning first place and the title of 2000 Illinois Reserve Champion. This performance earned me my highest Over The Board rating of 1895.

I have also worked for Chicago Mayor Daley’s summer activity program for several years, traveling to inner city Departments of Human Services and teaching busloads of children how to play and running tournaments afterwards which qualified players to play in a city-wide tournament to determine Champions of Chicago for each grade division.
 
I am a current Safe Play Certified Senior Level USChess Tournament Director and a National FIDE Arbiter, with aspirations to attain higher titles.
 
But teaching the game is my greatest passion. Watching those I am teaching eyes light up and big smiles crossing their faces as they grasp a concept, or learn to appreciate a beautiful idea, or just simply make a connection, provides me with pride and joy. Many of my students over the forty-years I have taught went on to earn their own accolades and achievements.
 
Join me in exploring its mysteries, seeking its secrets, understanding and executing the most subtle of ideas borne from the deepest recesses of your imagination, creativity, and logic.