Shawn has been playing chess since his father taught him at the age of 4. He achieved the National Master title in 2013 in slightly less than 500 rated games. Along the way, he earned the Vermont High School Champion title in 1993, the Dutchess County (NY) Championship in 2003 and 2004, and the Charlotte Chess Club Player of the Year in 2012. Shawn also won the US Open Bughouse Championship in 2002 and took First Place at the Statesville Open in 2012. He has taught with the CMSCA for the last three years, running the Team Tournaments for the last two. Shawn ran two week long chess camps for UNCC this past summer. He also worked for the USCF in 2002-2004 as their lead purchaser. Recently, I have also been certified as a USCF tournament director.