Chess
Having competed in nearly 250 USCF-rated chess tournaments and over 1,OOO tournament games 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 a myriad of strong tournaments, most recently winning the 2017 HOUSTON Lone Star Open (link below), 2015 U.S. Class Championships (link below), a formidable 5-1 performance in the 2012 National Open and undefeated, and best-to-date 5-O winning performance in the 2012 World Open Quick Chess Championship. Despite my rating never officially 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 top opposition: IM’s and GM’s.
Scroll down below to see a list of my best rated tournament performances, including several strong National events, such as National Open and North American Open.
-CLICK HERE- to read the email summary report in which I finished 4-0 in a recent tourney (May 2012), defeating a strong candidate master & FIDE Master (FM) in the process.
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, including very strong performances at the biggest chess events in the world, including the National & World Open.
Coach Neph’s Documented Chess Achievements
2019 National Open BLITZ Championship – Las Vegas, NV – 9/12, 2nd Place
2017 HOUSTON Lone Star Open – U1800 Section – Houston, TX – 4.5/5,
1st place CHAMPION!
2015 U.S. Class Championships – U1800 Section – Houston, TX – 4.5/5,
1st place CHAMPION!
2015 Lone Star Open – U1800 Section – Houston, TX – 4/5, 2nd Place
2014 North American Open – U1700 Section – Las Vegas, NV – 5/7
(Once again, just like in 2012, was one last round win away from winning $4000+!)
2014 National Open BLITZ Sectionals – Las Vegas, NV – 10/11, 1st Place!
2014 National Open BLITZ Championship – Las Vegas, NV – 9.5/14, 3rd Place
2013 North American Open – U1700 Section – Las Vegas, NV – 5.5/7, 2nd Place
2013 American Open – U1800 Section – Los Angeles, CA – 6/8, 2nd Place
2013 Houston Holiday Kickoff – U1800 Section – Houston, TX – 4/5, Clear 2nd Place
~~ Bughouse Lecture given on 11/23 ~~
2013 Houston Open – U1800 Section – Houston, TX – 4.5/5, 1st Place + Plaque Winner! (Expert performance of 2105!!)
~~ Bughouse Lecture given Friday 7/19 ~~
2013 National Open G/10 Championship – Las Vegas, NV – 4.5/8
(U1700 Class Prize Winner and finished higher than 4 Grandmasters!)
2012 North American Open – U1700 Section – Las Vegas, NV – 5/7
(last round win away from winning $4000)
2012 World Open G/10 Championship - U1900 Section – Philadelphia, PA – 5/5,
1st Place (Master performance of 2222!)
2012 National Open – U1800 Section – Las Vegas, NV – 5/6, tied for 2nd out of 132 (the most of any section!)
(Expert performance!)
2012 Sam Houston Open – Houston, TX – 4/5, U1800 Winner
2011 National Open – U1800 Section – Las Vegas, NV – 4.5/6, tied for 7th out of 146 (1 of only 14% who cashed)
2011 South Houston Open – U1800 Section – Houston, TX – 4/5, 1st Place
2010 North American Open Blitz Championship – 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 (+80 points –> officially Class A player)
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: