President

Major: Computer Science & Economics '28

Years playing chess: I have been playing chess since I was 6. In middle school, I got 3rd place in the California State Chess Championship in the u1800 division, but I haven’t played competitively since then. I’ve continued playing online on Chess.com, where I’ve maintained a 2200 Rapid rating.

Favorite opening: Ruy Lopez

Least favorite opening: The Sicilian

Vice President

Major: Computer Science and Math ‘29

Years playing chess: I started playing during the pandemic and taught myself how to play, currently around a 2000 USCF rating.

Favorite opening: Viih Sou

Least favorite opening: London

Treasurer, Marketing

Major: Mechanical Engineering ‘29

Years playing chess: I started playing chess in Elementary School. In High school, I won the St. Johns Chess Tournament while leading the St. Albans School Chess Team. I am rated 2000 on Chess.com for Rapid and Bullet.

Favorite opening: Kings Gambit

Least favorite opening: Queens Pawn

Tournament Lead

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering, '28

Years playing chess: I started playing chess about two years ago, and it quickly became my favorite way to decompress and constantly challenge myself. I play almost every day, whether in online tournaments or quick matches, and I currently maintain a 1500 Rapid rating on Chess.com. I'm excited to continue my journey with the chess club, with the ultimate goal of competing in an organized over-the-board tournament one day.

Favorite opening: The Bird, or Vienna

Least Favorite Opening: Caro-Kann Defense

Tournament Lead

Major: Human Biology, Health, and Society ‘28

Years Playing Chess: I have been playing chess for over a decade, and I’ve loved it. I know it might seem like a boring game, but I feel it’s the most exciting one there is! See, playing a game with someone is incredible, because the match isn’t on the board; it’s in our minds, only we can’t really see what the other person is doing. That really gets the adrenaline going for me; victory is in the palm of my hands, or is it? I’m about to win, or I could be about to lose. The mental exercise is so stimulating and addictive.

Favorite opening: the Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense

Least favorite: the French Defense

G-body Officer

Major: Operations Research and Information Engineering ‘28

Years Playing Chess: I started playing chess three years ago and began competing in tournaments soon after, breaking 1500 in two years. In 2023, I played in the National High School K-12 Championship and placed within the top 20 in the U1200 section. Since then, I’ve continued to stay active in tournaments while also giving back to the chess community as a tournament director and coach.

Favorite Opening: The Urusov Gambit

Least Favorite Opening: The Scandinavian

Administrative Officer

Major: Computer Science, ‘29

Years Playing Chess: I’ve been playing chess for over ten years, and I am currently a USCF National Master. Before coming to Cornell, I dedicated many weekends to playing in chess tournaments and frequented the Marshall Chess Club in NYC. Although I don’t play in tournaments as much as I used to, I still love to play blitz and bullet online.   

Favorite Opening: Grob

Least Favorite Opening: London