Youngest Grandmaster to Visit Ashburn
GM Ray Robson will play a chess simul at Ashburn Chess Club
By Herky del Mundo
He follows in the footsteps of world champion Bobby Fischer and the currently top-rated U.S. chess player Hikaru Nakamura.
And he pre-empted their records of being the youngest in becoming a grandmaster in the United States. While both Fischer and Nakamura became grandmasters at age 15, grandmaster Ray Robson fulfilled all the grandmaster requirements at 14, two weeks before turning 15. Another player, Italian-American Fabiano Caruana also became grandmaster at age 14, but he plays under the Italian flag.
Ray Robson will visit Ashburn Chess Club on July 5 at 7 p.m. and will play a chess simul. His visit coincides with the new location for the club, which is now known as the Ashburn Chess Center at 44927 George Washington Blvd, Ashburn, VA 20147.
In a chess simul, the young grandmaster, who is about 16 years old now, will play about 30 players, both children and adult, at the same time. He will go from one board to another, at which time his opponent will move in front of him, while he quickly ponders his move.
Born October 1994, Ray, whose FIDE rating by the World Chess Federation is 2555, has achieved many titles despite being young. In 2005, he was awarded an FIDE master title. He earned his international master title in 2008, and earned his grandmaster title in 2009.
As a very young player, Ray earned seven national scholastic titles, and became the youngest champion in the U.S. Junior Championship. He tied for first in the Philadelphia Open in 2010.
Among his international titles were the Pan-American Youth Championship in Brazil and Ecuador which he tied for first in 2005 and 2006. In 2009 he also placed first in Arctic Chess Challenge, and Pan American Juniors. He also had top 10 finishes in the World Youth Championships from 2004 through 2006.
Those interested in joining the Ashburn simul should register before 6:30 p..m at the Ashburn Chess Center on July 5 or call 240-888-4117. Ray Robson will also be available to sign the book “Chess Child,” a complimentary copy of which will be given to those who will join the event.
Source: http://leesburg.patch.com
I went to a tournament in Orlando several months ago, just to see how these things go. (I’m not a tournament player, and since I was starting a chess club in the school where I teach, I needed to learn a few things about organizing one.)
I was surprised to see Ray there. He wasn’t playing in the tournament – just visiting and promoting the book, “Chess Child.” While Ray played all comers in blitz, I spoke with Gary, his father, and mentioned that I followed Ray’s career through Susan Polgar’s blog. Gary’s face lit up as he said that Susan had been a big help to them and was very supportive in Ray’s development.
“Grandmaster Ray Robson fulfilled all the grandmaster requirements at 14, two weeks before turning 15. Another player, Italian-American Fabiano Caruana also became grandmaster at age 14, but he plays under the Italian flag. “
Ray Robson is a Chinese-American, he speaks Chinese and played Chinese Chess Championship in 2008 when he was 14 years old, but now he plays under the USA flag.
Ray had an outstanding World Open. Not sure why this blog doesn’t cover the World Open and other big Open tournaments in the USA.
“Ray Robson is a Chinese-American, he speaks Chinese and played Chinese Chess Championship in 2008 when he was 14 years old, but now he plays under the USA flag.”
Almost all the top US players today are immigrants or sons of immigrants. But then again, that’s what the US is all about.