The first person to be featured in the “Profile of Special Chess Player” is National Master Michael Aigner, qualifier for the 2007 US Championship. He was nominated by Duncan Oxley. Thank you Duncan and Congratulations Michael!
Here are a few things about Michael courtesy of Duncan:
Mike is a well-known scholastic coach and has trained many great up and coming juniors. From his “fingernotes” on ICC:
NM Michael Aigner, Life Master, USCF 2308, FIDE 2269
fpawn(FM) watch: 40 FIDE points needed (lost 14 at American Open, lost 9 at North American Open)
Shared 2nd overall at 2006 US Open! Qualified for 2007 US Championship! Multiple top U2300 and U2400 prizes in Las Vegas and Reno.
Coach of 2006 CalChess K-12, K-8 and K-6 State Champs and other top kids. Chess students include ten players rated over 1800 USCF and 17 juniors ranked in the top 100 of the country for their age. Two are currently ranked #1 in the nation for their age. One student even attained the coveted rank of USCF master. Students gain an average of 150 USCF rating points annually.
Quote of the month: “The greatest skill in chess is not allowing the opponent to show you what he can do.” — Garry Kasparov
OTB HIGHLIGHTS wins: GMs Yermolinsky, Blatny; IMs Bhat, Kraai, Murzin, Palos, Shipman, Vigorito, WGMs Baginskaite, Paehtz ..
draws: GMs Sadvakasov, Kiriakov, Wojtkiewicz, Fedorowicz; IMs DeGuzman, Donaldson, Ganbold, Paschall, Rey, Sevillano, Taylor, Zak .. dinner with GM Kasparov
Mike is also a graduate of Stanford University!
I don’t know what more to say… He’s a truly special person!
–Duncan Oxley
Here is Michael’s website. “So far I have expounded on academics and chess, neglecting to mention my disability. I was born with short arms and short legs. Although I scoot or hop around at home, I use a power wheelchair to get around in the real world. However, I try my best each day to not dwell on my disability but rather on my abilities. Hence, do not expect to read much more about my disability here on this webpage :)”
I don’t know Michael personally but I will say that whatever her posts, whether on this blog or the USCF issues forum, is well reasoned and articulate. On the USCF issues forum, I find that I skip over most of the posts because they say the same thing over and over but Michael’s posts are always to the point.
Bravo
Geez! Thanks Duncan and Susan! What else can I say?
Michael Aigner
Great person and story. I enjoyed fpawn’s website journal of the 2006 US Open as well.
Congrats to all.
Way to go Michael! Thanks Susan for all the great stuff! This blog rules!
he’s always been really mean and arrogant to me and many others on FICS 🙁
Wow… Just, Wow.
Way to go Michael!
So this is the famous fpawn! Congratulations on making Susan’s First Profile of Special Chess People.
I do believe I’ve crossed swords with you a few times on the USCF forum. Keep hacking and slashing away, buddy! Best wishes. Jack
Thanks Susan!
-Steven Zierk
Nice job fpawn! (Michael. I don’t know about the posts in general, but this one is very accurate. Michael is a nice person and great chess player. Way to go!