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Grandmaster Josh Friedel will fill the role of Resident Grandmaster for a few days from December 26-December 29. During that time Josh will take charge of all the classes, so come on out to get a fresh perspective from one of the top players in the country!
Josh will also present a special simultaneous exhibition on December 28th at 1 p.m. The event will cost $5 for annual club members or $10 for everyone else.
Call the club at 314-361-2437 or email info@saintlouischessclub.org to pre-register!
Josh Friedel was born and raised in Goffstown, New Hampshire. He learned to play chess at age three. At age six he became a student under NM Hal Terrie and entered his first tournament that same year. It was an adult tournament, and thus as the lowest rated he got a first round bye and proceeded to lose the next three games. While his result was not atypical for a new tournament player, his enthusiasm for the game was not diminished by his lack of success.
At age 8 Josh won the NH Amateur (U2000) Championship, having the lowest rating in the open section. The next year he won the National K-3 Championship in Tucson, AZ. As a junior, he was often at the top of his age group, competing in the US Cadet (3 times), Junior Closed (twice), Denker, and World Youth (3) events. He won numerous New England tournaments as well as the US Open Expert Section in 2000 at age 13.
After reaching the master level at age 14, Josh worked with GMs Larry Christiansen, Gregory Kaidanov, and Alex Goldin. He made IM at age 18 and GM just before his 22nd birthday. Thus far in his young chess career, Josh has been state champion of New Hampshire three times and twice of California. He has also won or tied for first in several open tournaments across the United States, including the Pan Am, Eastern, St. Louis, National, American, and North American Opens. Josh has played in five U.S. Closed Championships. At the 2008 event in Tulsa, he tied for fourth and scored his final GM norm.
Josh also has competed in numerous international events. He represented the US at the 2008 World Mind Sports Games, as well as at two Continental Championships (2009 and 2011). Also in 2009, by tying for 6th at the US Championship is St. Louis, Josh qualified to compete at the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. In the same year he also won the Toronto Open with a perfect 5/5 score and the Edmonton International with 7/9. (taken from www.joshfriedel.com)
