MADISON – Chess players had a rare opportunity to learn from one of the geniuses of the game when GrandMaster Alex Stripunsky mentored participants in the 2017 Fall Chess Camp.

“The Madison City Chess League was thrilled to host a fall chess camp (in October) with GM Alexander Stripunsky as its top instructor. There are just over 1,500 chess grandmasters in the world, and none live in Alabama, so it was a treat for our students to learn from GM Stripunsky,” league executive director Ranae Bartlett said.

The World Chess Federation, the sport’s governing body, awards the title of ‘Grandmaster’ to world-class chess players. Grandmaster is the highest title that a chess player can attain. A player usually retains the title for life, although federation regulations allow for the revocation of titles in cases of cheating or corruption. (Wikipedia.com)

Stripunsky is founder and head coach of Mid-South Chess Camp. He has gained great respect and recognition as one of America’s Elite Grandmasters. He also is known as one of the Premier Chess Coaches in the United States, Bartlett said.

He has been the coach to many of the top young chess players in the country, including Joshua Colas, 2010 Seventh-Grade National Champion; Parker Zhao; Teddy Coleman; and Jake Kleiman of Memphis, Tenn. Stripunsky runs regularly and works out equally as hard on the chessboard.

“The more you play, the more beauty you are able to see,” Stripunsky said in appreciation of the aesthetic strength in chess.

During his career, Stripunsky has won many honors:

* U.S. Co-Champion 2005 with an invitation to play in the World Championship.

* Coach of U.S. Women’s Olympian Team.

* Continental Open Champion in 2008 and 2010.

* National Congress Champion, first place.

* Philadelphia Open 2010, first-place tie.

* Continental Open 2014, first-place tie.

* Atlantic Open 2014, first-place tie.

* Manhattan Open 2014 champion.

“Another favorite among the kids was Fide Master Mike Klein, also known as FunMasterMike on ChessKid.com,” Bartlett said. “FM Klein has created numerous chess videos on the largest chess website for kids. This was his first time to instruct at a camp in Madison and was such a unique experience.”

Other fall camp instructors were Jonathan Rasberry and MCCL Coach of the Year Ed Mullin.

For more information, visit madisonchess.com.