GM Arnold Denker (1914-2005)

GM Arnold Denker played a key role for 60 years in American chess. As a New Yorker born in 1914 he was one of the America's best players, anecdotist, and author.

It is ironic that Denker was actually a boxer. He even went on to the Golden Gloves boxing quarterfinals and he later become a boxing manager.






Some of Denker's accomplishments

• Awarded the International Master title in 1950 and the Grandmaster title in 1981.

• A leading rival to Fine and Reshevsky during the 1930s, Denker won the U.S. Championship in 1944. His total of 14 wins that year is still a record. He successfully defended the title in a match against Herman Steiner held in Steiner's hometown, Los Angeles, in 1946.

• Won matches against Fine, Reshevsky, Kevits, Willman, and many others and was never defeated in match play until 1989.

• Set a world record by playing 100 opponents in 7.33 hours, beating Capablanca’s record by one hour. During World War II Denker gave simultaneous exhibitions at military bases and even aboard aircraft carriers.

• Moving force behind the Arnold Denker Tournament of High School Champions, held annually in conjunction with the U.S. Open.

• Was a director of the American Chess Foundation, and has been both a FIDE zonal president and a member of the FIDE Qualifications Committee.

• In recognition of his significant contributions to American chess, Arnold Denker was inducted into the Chess Hall of Fame in Washington, DC.

The chess world has lost one its modern legends. Denker died on Jan. 2, 2005 at his home after a brief struggle with brain cancer. He was 90 years old. He will be missed.
View 18 of GM Arnold Denker's Games here.

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