[imagefield_assist|fid=17323|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=FM Doug Eckert|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=225|height=315]
Doug Eckert has been selected to join the board of directors for the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Eckert moved back to the Saint Louis area in May of 2011 when he joined Brown Smith Wallace to lead the firm’s international tax practice. Before he moved away for work, Doug was a stalwart of the Saint Louis chess scene.
He achieved his FIDE Master title in 1986 and also is an International Master in Correspondence chess. Doug said he has been drawn to work on his chess game because he loves the competition.
He first began playing chess at Lindbergh High School, and proved to be a natural, improving rapidly. Eckert won the U.S. Junior Open Championship back-to-back in 1983 and 1984. In 2009, Eckert joined the U.S. Championship in the fourth round to fill in for IM Anna Zatonskih, who fell ill during the event. Eckert acquitted himself nicely scoring 2/6 on short notice against a tough field.
While attending the University of Missouri – Columbia in 1986, Eckert authored a book entitled Sicillian Schevenigen: Keres Attack, which featured a personal favorite move of GM Garry Kasparov.
He has traveled the world extensively for work, and enjoys the analytical parallel that exists between his favorite sport and his career.
A licensed CPA, Eckert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from the University of Missouri – Columbia. He resides in Chesterfield with his wife and three children.
