Photo by Krista Husa.

Chess Friend

Michigan's top-ranked chess player is staking his claim as the best.

LONNY GOLDSMITH
Staff Writer

en Finegold sits in front of
his large, wooden chess
board, fingering and adjust-
ing the shiny pieces. He
wipes off a light film of dust that has
covered the board.
This board — or any chess board, for
that matter — is Finegold's office. Such
is the life of the top-ranked chess player
in the state and an international master.
Much like figure skaters and gym-
nasts in the spotlight of major compe-
titions, chess players often start work-
ing at their trade at a young age. Fine-
gold, 28, started playing chess at the
advanced age of 5.

2/20
1998

16

"Five is almost too late to get start-
ed," he explained. "My son Spencer
was put in front of a chess board
when he was 1, and by the time he
was 3 1/2, he never made an illegal
move."
The late start hasn't hurt Finegold
who, in addition to his Michigan
ranking, is also ranked 20th nationally
and 300th (out of 10,000) interna-
tionally.
Finegold began his tournament
career at age 6 in the 1976 Michigan
Young-Young Junior Championship.
He was the first player of that age to
participate.
"I had a lot of support to play," he
said. "Both my father (Ron) and
brother (Mark) are United States

chess-related activities than two differ-
Chess Federation (USCF) life masters.
ent ones."
The environment was right."
Until he's totally back in the com-
Between ages 6 and 15, Finegold
petitive swing, Finegold will continue
averaged nearly 200 games per year.
He has won or tied for first in more to teach the game. He gives private
lessons and teaches chess at
than 100 USCF tournaments. -
the Bloomfield Hills Recre-
in his honw, state.
his
ation Department and
Finegold took time off from, Making
move: Ben Fine- Detroit Public Schools, and
chess competition when he
gold eyes the chess
at chess camps in the sum-
went to Wayne State University board.
mer. He also writes articles
as a history major. After two
for chess magazines and is
full years of school, he got back
considering teaching a chess class for
into chess, put his education on hold,
teens at the Jewish Community Cen-
and plans to participate in the Chica-
ter.
go Open this May.
Every king needs a queen, and what
"I was sick of chess, then I was sick
of school," he said. "It's easier to teach better place for a chess whiz than the
and play chess than teach chess and go circuit? Finegold met his wife Gina
that way and, in 1989, following the
to school. It was better to just do