Chess

Having competed in nearly 200 USCF-rated chess tournaments both locally and nationally such as the North American Open, National Open (played in Las Vegas annually since 2003), and World Open, this resulted in many strong performances. Despite my rating never reaching Expert strength, I have defeated many stronger players including National Masters (USCF Rating of 2200+), and FM’s (World Chess Master) in rated USCF tournaments. Online, however, I have prevailed against even stronger opposition: IM’s and GM’s.  Scroll down below to see a list of my best tournament performances.

You may also view my chess/bughouse bio at a prestigious Houston school I used to teach here. For info on chess lessons and to view the current specials, please visit the “lessons” page. If you would like to hire me to be the chess coach at your school in the Houston area, or if you would like me to give a simultaneous exhibition (where I play many players at once) at your school or event, please contact me today.

Please see below for a list of chess achievements since 2005.

Neph’s Documented Chess Achievements

2011 National Open – U1800 Section – Las Vegas, NV – 4.5/6, tied for 7th out of 146

2011 South Houston Open – U1800 Section – Houston, TX – 4/5, 1st Place

2010 North American Open Blitz – U1900 Section – Las Vegas, NV – 8/10, 2nd Place

2010 North American Open – U1700 Section – Las Vegas, NV – 5/7
(after starting 4-0!) 6-hour last round win away from winning $2500

2010 Atlantic City International Blitz Championship – Atlantic City, NJ – 8.5/10, Reserve Champion

2010 Atlantic City International – U1800 Section – Atlantic City, NJ – 4/6, tied for 4th

2009 World Open – U1800 Section – Philadelphia, PA – tied for 32nd, out of 212

2009 National Open BLITZ Championship – Las Vegas, NV – 8/12, tied for 3rd (after starting off 7/8)

2009 National Open G/10 Championship – Las Vegas, NV – 4/6, tied for 1st U1700 prize & finished with same score as titled players: FMs, IMs, and even GMs

2009 World Team Tournament - Parsippany, NJ – 5/6, finished higher than 93% of the 1200+ contenders including many titled players

2008 National Open BLITZ Championship – Las Vegas, NV – 10.5/14, 2nd Place

2007 National Open – U1800 Section - Las Vegas, NV – 4/6, tied for 16th out of 157 (after starting 3-0)

2007 Space City Chess Club – Houston, TX – G/15 Club Champion

2006 Southwest Open – Ft. Worth, TX – 5.5/7, U1800 Champion / 2nd place overall

2006 National Open BLITZ Championship – Las Vegas, NV – 11/14, tied for 1st

2006 Houston Open – U1800 Section – Houston, TX – 4/5, 2nd Place

2005 Space City Chess Club – Houston, TX – G/15 Club Champion

2005 World Open BLITZ Championship – Philadelphia, PA – 7/10, 4th Place

2005 National Open BLITZ Championship – Las Vegas, NV – 10.5/14 / Clear 2nd (200+ points gained)

Below are videos of some of the Blitz action taking place at the National & World Open: