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Eric Schiller's Chess

Last revised February 18, 2008 

I started playing chess at the age of four, and no matter what efforts I make to escape, the addiction keeps drawing me back. So eventually I decided to live with the infection and make the most of it. So these days I spend most of my time developing chess software, writing books on chess, training young players and of course playing. I play at www.chess.ac. You can read my book reviews and other articles at Chess Country. I do my chess blogging at Chessgames.com. For lists and samples of my books click here.

In October-November 2000 I had the honor of serving as Arbiter of the World Chess Championship match between Vladimir Kramnik and Garry Kasparov.

I offer instruction and analysis both online and in person.

Selected Games of Chess

Recent results

I now spend more time teaching and training young players than competing, but still manage to participate in international tournaments.  I plan to return to active play in late spring 2005. I was arbiter of the Staunton Memorial in London in August, 2005 and will serve in that capacity at the GIBTEL Masters in 2006. I had to take a year off after my stroke in July 2006 but am back competing now.

  •  February 2008: People's Replacement Master/Expert (tied for 5th)
  •  December 2007: Match with Nicholas Nip (lost 4-2)
  • September 2007: CalChess Masters (1.5/4)
  • September 2007: Calchess Championship (7th place)
  • September 2005: Coastside Chess Meet (joint 1st place)
  • May 2005. HB Global Challenge. 4 points
  • October 2004: Black Knight Halloween Tournament. 3rd place.
  • October 2004: Western States Open, Reno NV. Shared 2nd-3rd under-2300 prize. Several exciting games, including one brilliant one. Drew with IM Igor Ivanov.
  • May 2004: Memorial Day Tournament, San Jose. First place (4-0) and the brilliancy prize too!
  • November 2003: American Open. Tied for under-2300 prize.
  • March 2003: Even better results in Dos Hermanas Internet event. ICC rating got up to over 2700! Now sliding back to earth.
  • March 2002: Some great results at the Dos Hermanas Qualifiers, raising my ICC rating to over 2500!
  • May 2002: Koltanowski Memorial, tied for 4th place
  • September 2002: CalChess State Championship, tied for 3rd place
  • September 2002: Donnelly Memorial, tied for 2nd place

Titles and rankings

  • National Master (U.S.C.F.)
  • Life Master (U.S.C.F.)
  • FIDE Master (FIDE, the World Chess Federation)
  • Official Coach, United States delegation to World Youth Championships (1996, 1998)
  • CalChess State Champion (1995)
  • International Arbiter (FIDE) (1980)
  • FIDE International Organizer (2000)
  • Hawaiian State Blitz Champion 1988 and 1989
  • Hawaiian State Action Champion 1989
  • Illinois Junior Champion 1974
  • Captain of several Pan American Intercollegiate champion teams
  • Current international rating 2201 (10/03)
  • Peak FIDE rating 2370 (1986)
  • Peak USCF rating 2374 (1986)
  • Peak ICC rating 2724 (2003)

Writings and software

  • Over 100 books on chess Click here to see the list

  • Editor-in-Chief (Chess City Magazine, 1999-2003)

  • Editor, California Chess Journal (2004-2006)

  • Host, Chess City. 2004-present)

  • Dr. Schiller's How to Play Chess and Chess Game (Zane, 1996)

  • Illustrative games, tutorials, opening books and amusements for Chessmaster 5000 (Mindscape, 1996)

  • Deja Vu Chess Library (Chessworks Unlimited, 1994, 1995)

  • Illustrative games and tutorials for Kasparov's Gambit (Electronic Arts, 1993)

  • Over 200 database and game collection files for various platforms

  • Former Contributing Editor for Chess Life magazine

  • Former editor: ChessAmerica, Illinois Chess Bulletin

  • Journalist: Associated Press, Reuters, USA Today Sports Center, Players Chess News, NDR-TV (Germany), Capital Radio (London) with appearances on ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, Thames-TV and others. Host of Chess Mates cable television show in Chicago in the late 1980s.

Chess Training

  •     Head of Delegation and Coach, United States representatives, World Youth Championships 1996, 1998
  •     Private trainer of many top young players.
  •     Instructor at a variety of chess camps and mini-camps, and I teach GATE program chess classes in the Cabrillo Unified School District:
  •     Success Chess Program (teaching at Duveneck Elementary and Monticello Academy)

Chessworks Unlimited

I founded Chessworks Unlimited in 1983, in conjunction with hosting the 1983 World Youth Team Championship in Chicago. Since then Chessworks has produced a wide variety of chess software and literature, and has acted as consultant to major producers of chess software including Electronic Arts, Mindscape and Cardoza Entertainment. We also specialize in media relations and press facilities, and have acted in that capacity for the following events, among others:

Press facilities and media relations

  • 1983 World Championship Semi-final (London)
  • 1984 USSR vs. World match, London
  • 1986 World Chess Championship
  • 1990 World Chess Championship (New York)
  • 1993 Times World Chess Championship (London)
  • 1993 United States Chess Championship (Long Beach)
  • 1995 Pan Pacific International (San Francisco)

Organization of chess events

Chessworks and its predecessor (Philidor Association, NY) have been involved in the organization of over two dozen major international events, including:

  • Philidor Internationals, NY (1980-81)
  • Edward Lasker Memorial, NY (1981)
  • World Youth Team Championship, Chicago (1983)
  • Windy City International, Chicago (1985)
  • Hawaii Internationals (1994-1998)
  • Pan Pacific International, San Francisco (1995)
  • Saitek US Masters, Waikiki Hawaii (1998)
  • Cardoza US Open, Kona, Hawaii (1998)

Community Service

  • Representative of Prochess to FIDE (1988-89)
  • Chair, USCF Computer Chess Committee (1990-1996)

Arbiting

Refereeing a chess match may seem genteel, but there have been a few fistfights and other interesting episodes on the way. As a player, I am almost always a member of the Appeals Committee. Among the more important events for which I have been involved as an arbiter are:

  • Hip-Hop Chess Championship (October 2007)
  • GIBTEL Masters, Gibraltar (January–February 2006, 2007)
  • Staunton Memorial, London (August 2005, 2007, 2008)
  • World Chess Championship (Kasparov vs. Kramnik, October 2000)
  • Mind Sports Olympiad (1997)
  • United States Championship (1972, 1988, 1993)
  • New York (Heraldica) International (1980)
  • Chess Olympiad, Malta (1980)
  • Brighton International (1980, 81)
  • National Open (1985-86)

Affiliations

  • Coastside Chess Club, Half Moon Bay CA (2002-present)
  • Mechanics Chess Club, San Francisco (1997-present)
  • Burlingame Chess Club, Burlingame CA (1994-present)
  • King's Head Chess Club, London (1981-present)
  • University of Chicago Chess Club (1972-90)
  • Marshall Chess Club (1972-81)
  • Manhattan Chess Club (1970-72)