Three Young North Carolina Chess Stars are now National Masters!
by NM Leland Fuerstman
Charlotte, NC 1-16-15: Through the years in North Carolina, only a few chess clubs have produced "home grown" Masters! (tournament chess players who have achieved a USCF rating of at least 2200). I remain proud of the number of gifted players who cut their teeth at the CCC. In fact, in our 40 year reign, the Charlotte Chess Club has produced no less than 24 Masters! Certainly, no other club in NC can claim as many. Though there were a few lean years, in more recent times, I am happy to report that the CCC's contribution to that list
now includes
NM Shawn Pealer, NM Peter Giannatos, NM Dominique
Myers and NM Jonathon Munnell, all of
whom were active members at one time.
Furthermore, each of these multidimensional Masters
is heavily involved in scholastic chess
organization and instruction! In addition, Charlotte's
NM Tianqi Wang (2207),
16, earned the Master
Title last year making him the highest rated Scholastic
player in North Carolina! Like an astronomer searching for that distant asteroid racing in our direction, a few NC chess pundits have been carefully monitoring the progress of the "New Guard!" - Described by one popular organizer as "mild mannered and
reserved," 15 year old Expert
Aaron Balleisen from Durham was born on
February 5, 1999 and currently sports a rating
of (2206). He
often participates in events at the Durham Academy,
owned and operated by SM Craig Jones.
He attends Riverside High School
and has one brother, Zachary, 18. Aaron's
current chess coach is IM John Bartholomew.
According to Aaron, "I went to the Tuscon Western
Invitational Chess Camp the
last two years, which is where I met John."
As for his favorite game, Aaron
states, "This is
tough. I would probably have to say my final round win
at nationals vs Andrew Liu. (See
Game 1416) His
lifelong successes include 1st
K-3 NC 2007, 1st K-5 NC 2009, 1st K-8 NC 2012,
=1st-2nd 9th Grade National Champion 2013 1st K-12 NC
2014. On December 28, 2014, NM
Aaron Balleisen (2206)
finished clear 1st Place in the Atlanta Open
and and gained enough rating points to achieve the Title
of USCF National Master!Born on May 25, 2000, and currently, the third highest rated active player in the Charlotte Chess Club, soft spoken 14 year old Expert Emmanuel Carter (2200) relocated from Tennessee a few years ago with his brother Lorenzo (1897), 15 and his sister Kydriana (1611), 16. Seeking better educational
opportunities,
they now live with their grandmother in Monroe
where he attends Union County Early
College. Emmanuel is somewhat of an
anomaly having received very little formal chess
instruction and only learning through books, internet
activity and tough competition with his siblings!
According to Grandma Calaway, their Grandfather
loved chess and taught it to the grand kids. "When Emmanuel was 3 years old, he would cry his eyes out because
he couldn't figure out a chess move!"
Now, his opponents are crying!! In his brief
career, he has already proven himself to be a
"powerhouse" in the North Carolina
chess community. According to Emmanuel,
"...I was really young
when we first moved... What motivates me to play chess
is just wanting to win and be the best!..."
Here is a key win against Expert Justin Lohr
(2107) (See Game 1415). Also,
take a peek at his recent encounter with LM Chris Mabe
(2313) at the CYCC!
(See Game 1410). Emmanuel's
successes include 4th-7th 2014 NC Open (no loses),
1st Charlotte City Ch., =3rd-4th 2014 NC
Closed, =1st-2nd KTX and =2nd-3rd CYCC. On
December 22, 2014, NM
Emmanuel Carter (2200)
gained just enough rating points in McAlister's VI at
the CCC to earn the USCF Title of
National Master!
Born on December 23, 1999, and
currently the highest rated player in the CCC,
15 year old NM
Daniel Cremisi (2205)
lives in Charlotte and attends Myers Park
High School. He has one brother, Alan,
21, and a sister, Mia, 19, who attends UNC
Chapel Hill. Never too shy to share his
opinion, Daniel knows everyone's rating to
the point! His progress over the past few years has been
nothing short of remarkable! His first permanent rating in
May of 2011 was 1145.
It took him all of a total of 42
months to achieve the Title of National Master!
Daniel has never had an official coach and relied
more on competing with and learning from the stronger
players at venues like the Charlotte Chess
Club. When asked about his motivation, Daniel
said, "...I really don't know... I guess, a
combination of competitiveness and determination." Daniel's
successes include 1st in the 2013 NC K-8
Championship, 3rd-8th in the 2014 K-12 Nationals
and 3rd 2014 9th Grade Nationals. As
for his favorite game, he cites a recent encounter with NM
Leland Fuerstman where he found the inspiring 24...Rc2!!
(See Game 1435). On December 22, 2014, NM
Daniel Cremisi (2203)
gained enough rating points at McAlister's
VI at the CCC to earn the USCF Title
of National Master!The Master Title is sought by many, but only achieved by few. By default, these young gentlemen have become "Ambassadors of Chess." Therefore, wear the Title with honor and dignity. I am very proud of all of you!
NM Leland Fuerstman
Charlotte Chess Club
www.charlottechess.com
E-mail: charlottechessclub@gmail.com