Originally, the U.S. Armed Forces Chess Championship was an individual round robin semi-invitational event, run by the military. Any active duty personnel could apply, and the top rated (usually over 1800) were selected if their unit would let them go. Thomas Emery (1896-1975) donated the trophy and Lt Col Ed Edmondson helped get it off the ground. Emery was a millionaire who was a member of the Marine Corps during World War I. He helped support master chess and armed forces chess.

In 1959, Thomas Emery and Col. John D. Mathas co-founded the US Armed Forces Chess Championship.

In May 1960, the first U.S. Armed Forces Chess Championship (USAFCC) was held at the American Legion Hall of Flags in Washington, D.C. There were 12 invited participants. Air Force Captain John Hudson (1930-2012) and Army SP4 Arthur Feuerstein (1935- ) tied for 1st place. Feuerstein was four times New York state champion and was serving in the US Army in France at this time. Hudson was a bombardier-navigator on B-52 bombers and a former US Amateur champion (1956). He also won the Louisiana State Championship in 1952 and the California State Open in 1965.

In 1960, Eduard Gufeld (1936-2002) won the USSR Armed Forces Championship.

In 1961, Hans Kmoch wrote a 68-page pamphlet on the chess games of the first Thomas Emery Armed Forces Tournament, published by the American Chess Foundation.

In September 1961, Air Force Captain John Hudson won the 2nd US Armed Forces championship. The tournament was sponsored by the US Chess Federation, the American Chess Foundation, and the USO.

In October 1962, Army SP4 Roy Mallett won the 3rd US Armed Forces championship.

In October 1963, Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Irwin Lyon won the 4th US Armed Forces championship. This was the first year that the Coast Guard was represented in this annual event.

In November 1964, Air Force 1st Lieutenant Donato Rivera de Jesus won the 5th US Armed Forces championship on tiebreaks over Army Pvt Bruce Albertson. Rivera played for Puerto Rico in the Varna Chess Olympiad in 1962.

In November 1965, Air Force Airman David M. Lees (1943-1996) won the 6th US Armed Forces championship. The event was held at the American Legion’s Hall of Flags in Washington, D. C. He also won the Texas State Championship in 1965.

In 1966, Army SP4 Chester Wozney won the 7th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1967, Army SP4 Michael Senkiewicz won the 8th US Armed Forces championship. He was also a world class Scrabble player, backgammon player, and poker player. He played for the British Virgin Islands in the 1988 chess Olympiad, scoring 9 out of 12. He was once ranked 35th in the nation in chess.

In October 1968, Army SP4 Charles “Charlie” Powell (1944-1991) won the 9th US Armed Forces championship. He was 7-time Virginia champion and beat Bobby Fischer in a simul.

In November 1969, Army PFC Steven Hohensee won the 10th US Armed Forces championship, held in the American Legion’s Hall of Flags.

In 1970, Air Force Major John Hudson won the 11th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1971, Air Force 1st Lieutenant Brendan Godfrey won the 12th US Armed Forces championship. Now Dr. Godfrey is Director of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

In 1972, Coast Guard Lieutenant Zaccarias Chavez won the 13th US Armed Forces championship. He appeared on the front cover of the December 1972 issue of Chess Life & Review.

In 1973, Air Force Sergeant Don Sutherland won the 14th US Armed Forces championship. He won the California State Chess Championship in 1965 and Colorado Championship in 1973.

In 1974, Air Force Sergeant Richard Bustamante won the 15th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1975, Air Force Sergeant Charles Unruh won the 16th US Armed Forces championship.

In September 1976 Army E4 Russell Garber won the 17th US Armed Forces championship, held in the American Legion’s Hall of Flags.

In October 1977, Air Force Captain Robert Bond won the 18th US Armed Forces championship.

In September 1978, Air Force Captain Robert Bond won the 19th US Armed Forces championship. The event was held at the American Legion Hall of Flags in Washington, D.C. The event was sponsored by the American Chess Foundation.

In 1979, Army SP4 Michael Fletcher won the 20th US Armed Forces championship

In 1980, Army SP4 Michael Fletcher won the 21st US Armed Forces championship.

In 1981, Airman 1st Class Timothy Brown won the 22nd US Armed Forces championship. He won the Arizona championship in 1976.

In 1982, Air Force Sergeant Timothy Brown won the 23rd US Armed Forces championship.

In 1983, Air Force Senior Airman Emory Tate, Jr. (1958- ) won the 24th US Armed Forces championship. He would later win the Armed Forces championship 5 times and become an International Master, rated over 2450.

In 1984, Air Force Sergeant Emory Tate won the 25th US Armed Forces championship. He won the first Haskell Small Award for top individual honors.

In 1985, Army SP4 Roberto Rodriquez and Air Force Sergeant Bobby Moore tied for 1st in the 26th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1986, Army Private Richard Russell won the 27th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1987, Air Force Staff Sergeant Emory Tate won the 28th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1988, Air Force Staff Sergeant Emory Tate won the 29th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1989, Air Force Staff Sergeant Emory Tate won the 30th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1990, Mario Murillo (Navy) won the 31st US Armed Forces championship.

In 1991, Bobby Moore (USAF) won the 32nd US Armed Forces championship.

In 1992, Donato Lacno (Navy) won the 33nd US Armed Forces championship.

In 1993, Air Force Sergeant Elvin Wilson won the 34th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1994, Robert Holling (Navy) won the 35th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1995, John Hansen and Brian Richardson tied for 1st in the 36th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1996, Army Captain David Hater won the 37th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1997, Army Major David Hater and Dwaine Roberts (Marines Corps) tied for 1st in the 38th annual U.S. Armed Forces Championship.

In 1998, Air Force Sergeant Elvin Wilson and Air Force Sergeant Peter Kurucz ties for 1st in the 39th US Armed Forces championship.

In 1999, Air Force Sergeant Robert Keough won the 40th annual U.S. Armed Forces Championship.

In 2000, Air Force Sergeant Robert Keough (2029) won the 41st annual U.S. Armed Forces Championship, held in Washington, D.C.

In 2001, the US Armed Forces Chess Championship (USAFCC) was renamed the U.S. Interservice Chess Championship (ISCC).

In 2001, Sgt Rudy Tia (2126) and Joseph Kruml (2146) tied for 1st in the 42nd annual U.S. Armed Forces Championship, now renamed the Interservice championship, held at Fort Meyer, Virginia.

In September 2002, Sgt Rudy Tia (2134) won the 43rd annual U.S. Armed Forces Championship, now renamed the Interservice championship. The event took place in San Diego.

In 2003, Air Force Sergeant Leroy Hill (2068) won the 44th annual U.S. Armed Forces Championship, held at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas.

In 2004, Narcisco Victoria and West Point Cadet David Jacobs tied for 1st in the 45th annual U.S. Armed Forces Championship.

In June 2004, Narcisco Victoria (2197) won the 2004 Interservice championship, held at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas.

In 2005, West Point Cadet David Jacobs won the 46th annual U.S. Armed Forces Championship.

In 2005, Narcisco Victoria, Samuel Eshaure, Dan Ranario, Froilan Magpantay, Robert Keogh, and Mustapha Kahlouch tied for 1st at the 2005 Interservice championship, held in Arlington, Virginia.

In October 2006, West Point Cadet David Jacobs won the 47th annual U.S. Armed Forces Open Championship, held at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC.

In 2006, Narcisco Victoria (2202), Robert Bucholtz (2035), and Dan Ranario (2030) tied for 1sr at the 2006 Interservice championship, held in Jacksonville, Florida.

In 2007, Navy retired Electronics Technician 1st Class Larry Larkins (2107) won the 48st annual U.S. Armed Forces Open Championship, held in Arlington, Virginia.

In 2007, Douglas Taffinger (2055), Samuel Echaure (2032), Nathanial Ola (2027), and Jhonel Baniel (1991) tied for 1st in the Interservice championship, held in San Diego.

In 2008, Army Specialist Jhonel Baniel (1992) won the 2008 U.S. Interservice Championship, held in Tucson, Arizona.

In 2008, Larry Larkins, Doug Taffinder, Robert Keogh, and Edward Pabaland tied for 1st at the 49th annual Armed Forces Open in Bethesda, Maryland.

In May 2009, Army PFC Pieta Garrett (2220) won the 50th annual U.S. Armed Forces Championship, held at Fort Benning, Georgia.

In 2010, Lt. Col Douglas Taffinder won the 2010 US Air Force championship.

In 2010, Master Sgt. Dan Ranario (2083) won the 2010 Interservice chess championship, held at the Naval Station in Great Lakes, Illinois.

In 2010, Navy retiree Larry Larkins won the 51st annual U.S. Armed Forces Open Chess Championship (USAFOCC), held at Joint Base Andrews MD. Franco Jose and John Farrell tied for 2nd-3rd. The U.S. Air Force Academy won the 7th Commander in Chief’s Trophy, which features the Service Academy Chess Championship for cadets and midshipmen.

In 2010, Albert Hernandez (2077) and Mario Vonoya (2013) tied for 1st in the 2010 Interservice championship, held at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California.

In 2011, the 52nd U.S. Armed Forces Open, held in Arlington, Virginia, was won by Air Force retiree Master Sergeant Dan Ranario. The top active duty player was Air Force Senior Airman Kiel Russell. The Air Force Academy won the 8th Commander-in-Chief trophy as the top academy team.

In October 2012, the 53rd U.S. Armed Forces Open Chess Championships was held on board of the USS Wasp in Norfolk, Virginia. This was the first time the event was held on a ship. Dan Ranario (2128) won the event.

In 2013, the 54th U.S. Armed Forces Open Chess Championships was held at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Dan Ranario, Robert Keough, Gordon Randall, and Jon Middaugh tied for 1st place.

In October 2014, the 55th U.S. Armed Forces Open Chess Championships was held at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

NATO Armed Forces championships

In May 1978, the first unofficial NATO chess tournament was held in Aalborg, Denmark.

In October 1989, the 1st official NATO championship was held in Hammelburg, Germany. Germany took 1st place, followed by USA and Belgium. 11 NATO countries participated. The individual winner was FIDE master (FM) Niels Michaelsen of Germany. The top American participant was Emory Tate.

In October 1990, the 2nd NATO championship was held in Oslo, Norway. Germany and Norway tied for 1st-2nd, followed by Italy. The USA team tied for 4th-5th. The individual winner was FM Gunter Deleyn of Belgium.

In August 1991, the 3rd NATO championship was organized in the United Kingdom at Royal Air Force Cranwell. Germany took 1st place, followed by The Netherlands and Italy. The USA took 6th place. The individual winner was Norbert Lucke of Germany.

In November 1992, the 4th NATO championship (schachmeisterschaft) was held in the Lutzow barracks in Munster, Germany. Germany took 1st place, followed by The Netherlands. Norway and the USA tied for 3rd-4th. The individual winner was Carsten Lingnau of Germany. Top American was Bobby Moore.

In 1993, the 5th NATO championship was supposed to have been played in the United States, but they had to rescind their offer in the middle of the year due to financial reasons. It was then organized in 1994 at the Royal Military Academy in Breda, The Netherlands in November-December. Norway took 1st place, followed by The Netherlands and Denmark. The USA took 9th place. Top scorers were Lucas Van der Linden of The Netherlands and IM Jean-Rene Koch of France.
In November 1995, the 6th NATO championship was held in Gausdal, Norway. The Netherlands took 1st place, followed by Germany and Norway. The individual winner was FM Harmen Jonkman of The Netherlands. Top American was J.L. Silva.

In November 1996, the 7th NATO championship was held in Viborg, Denmark. The Netherlands and Belgium tied for 1st-2nd, followed by the United Kingdon. USA took 6th place. Andy Hammond of the UK and Fabrice Wantiez of Belgium were the top two individual winners.

In November 1997, the 8th NATO championship was held in Apt, France. Germany took 1st place, followed by France and Denmark. Hans-Walter Geberl of Germany was the top individual winner.

In November 1998, the 9th NATO championship was held in Portsmouth, England. Germany took 1st place. France and The Netherlands tied for 2nd-3rd. The USA tied for 5th-6th. FM David Gross of Germany was the top individual winner.

In September 1999, the 10th NATO championship was held in Stetten am kalten Markt, Germany. Germany took 1st place, followed by The Netherlands and France. USA tied for 8th-9th place. Top scorer was Jan Gustafsson of Germany.

In October 2000, the 11th NATO championship was held in Leopoldsburg, Belgium. Germany took 1st place, followed by France and Italy. USA tied for 7th-8th. Top scorer was IM Fabian Dottling of Germany.
In October 2001, the 12th NATO championship was held in Sanremo, Italy. Germany took 1st place, followed by Italy and The Netherlands. USA took 6th place. Top individual was FM Piero Bontempi of Italy.

In October 2002, the 13th NATO championship was held in Brest, France. Germnay took 1st place, followed by the USA. Norway, France, and the UK tied for 3rd-5th place. Top individual scorers were Mark Helbig of Germany and Andy Hammond of the UK. Rudy Tia and Narciso Victoria were the top USA scorers.

In September 2003, the 14th NATO championship was held in Hovelte, Denmark. Germany took 1st place, followed by Poland and Norway. The USA tied for 10th-11th. Top scorers were Harald Borchgrevink of Norway and Christian Seel of Germany.

In August 2004, the 15th NATO championship was held in The Hague, The Netherlands. Germany took 1st place, followed by Poland and Norway. The USA tied for 10th-12th. Top scorer was Lorenz Drabke of Germany.

In August 2005, the 16th NATO championship was held in Kolobrzeg, Poland. Germany took 1st place, followed by Poland and the UK. The USA tied for 4th-5th. Top scorer was Andreas Schenk of Germany. Narciso Victoria was the top USA player.

In August 2006, the 17th NATO championship was held in Berkshire, England. Germany took 1st place, followed by Poland and Norway. The USA tied for 7th-8th. Top scorers were IM Andreas Schenk and Thomas Fiebig, both from Germany.

In September 2007, the 18th NATO championship was held in Ankara, Turkey. Germany took 1st place for the 11th time in a row. Poland and The Netherlands tied for 2nd-3rd. The USA took 8th place. Top scorer was Vytautas Vaznonis of Lithuania.

In August 2008, the 19th NATO championship was held in Brussels, Belgium. Turkey took 1st place. Germany and Poland tied for 2nd-3rd. The USA took 8th place. Top scorer was Serkan Yeke of Turkey.

In June 2009, the 20th NATO championship was held in Hammelburg, Germany. 95 chessplayers from 18 countries participated. Germany took 1st place, followed by Norway and Poland. The USA tied for 9th-11th. Top scorers were Andreas Schenk of Germany and Mateusz Sypien of Poland.

In October 2010, the 21st NATO championship was held in Koge, Denmark. Germany took 1st place, followed by Poland. Turkey and Denmark tied for 3rd-4th place. The USA tied for 7th-9th place. Top scorers were Lorenz Drabke of Germany and Fabrice Wantiez of Belgium.

In August 2011, the 22nd NATO championship was held in Kaunas, Lithuania. Turkey took 1st place, followed by Germany and Denmark. The USA took 14th place. Top scorers were Kivanc Haznedaroglu and Yakup Erturan, both of Turkey.

In October 2012, the 23rd NATO championship was held in Brest, France. Germany, Poland, and France tied for 1st-3rd. The USA tied for 8th-9th. Individual winners were FM Fabrice Wantiez of Belgium and IM Lorenz Drabke of Germany.

In August 2013, the 24th NATO championship was held in Rynia, Poland. Germany took 1st place, followed by Denmark and Poland. The USA tied for 4th-7th. IM Lorenz Drabke of Germany was top scorer. Dan Ranario was top USA scorer. In the past years, DoD fully funded the NATO championships and the inter-service championships. In 2013, the U.S. government could no longer fund chess activities. The USA team came at their own expense on their own time to participate.

In September 2014, the 25th NATO championship was held in Quebec, Canada. Germany took 1st place, followed by Poland and the USA. Lorenz Drabke of Germany and Darisz Sycz of Poland were the top scorers. Arthur Macaspac and Dharim Bacus were the top USA scorers.

The 26th NATO championship in 2015 will be held at the Royal Netherlands Navy Barracks in Amsterdam.

In my military career (1970-1995), I won the Lackland AFB, TX and Sheppard AFB, TX chess championships in 1970. In 1971, I took 2nd in the Beale AFB, CA championship, and won the U Tapao Air Base, Thailand championships. In 1972, I won the Kadena Air Base championship in Okinawa and took 2nd in the Beale AFB championship. In 1973, I won the U Tapao RTAB championship. In 1974, I won the Anderson AB, Guam championship and won the Thailand USO championship. In 1979 I won the Lackland AFB championship and the Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio championship. In 1980, I took 2nd in the Wright Patterson AFB Ch and took 2nd in an Armed Forces invitational at Fort Harrison, Indiana. In 1981, I took 2nd in the Wright-Patterson AFB Ch. In 1982, I took 2nd in the Wright-Patterson AFB Ch. In 1983, I won the Wright-Patterson AFB ch and 2ook second in an Armed Force invitational at Fort Knox, KY. In 1984, I won the Wright-Patterson AFB ch and won the Maxwell AFB, Alabama championship. In 1985, I won the Moffett Field Naval Air Station ch and the Sunnyvale AFS championship in California. I took 3rd in the 1985 Central Pacific Armed Forces ch in Concord, CA. In 1986, I won the Moffett Field NAS Ch, the Onizuka AFB Ch, and the Central Pacific Armed Forces championship in Concord. In 1987, I won the Moffett Field NAS Ch and the Central Pacific Armed Forces championship at Mare Island, CA. In 1988, I won the Moffett Field NAS Ch and took 3rd in the Central Pacific Armed Forces ch in Concord. In 1989, I won the Onizuka Air Force Station ch, took 2nd at Moffett Field NAS, and 4th at the Central Pacific Armed Forces Ch at Mare Island. In 1990, I won the Moffet Field NAS Ch and the Central Pacific Armed Forces ch in Concord. In 1991 I took 2nd at Moffett Field NAS and the Central Pacific Armed Forces ch at Mare Island. I took 7th in the Air Force chess championship at Andrews AFB. In 1992, I won the Kelly AFB, TX Ch, took 2nd in the Texas Armed Forces Ch at Lackland, and 7th in the Air Force Chess Ch at Andrews AFB. In 1993, I won the Kelly AFB Ch and the Texas Armed Forces Ch at Lackland. I took 7th at the Air Force Ch at Andrews AFB. In 1994, I won the Kelly AFB Ch and took 4th in the Texas Armed Forces Ch at Lackland AFB. In 1995, I won the Kelly AFB Ch and the Lackland AFB Ch.

– Bill Wall