US Chess Federation: Chess Buzz September 21

Introducing GM Gabriel Schwartzmann

By Don Schultz, President, US Chess Federation

I first met Gabriel at the 1988 Olympiad in Thessalonika, Greece. GM Arnold Denker and I were watching some of the Olympiad games when he approached, looked up at us, and said, "Hello, I'd like to introduce myself to you. My name is Gabriel Schwartzman. I am a chessplayer and am playing in the international tournament across the street. Would you like to see some of my games?" We said, "Yes" and were treated to some exciting chess. Gabriel ran through several of his games for us without reference to any notes prompting GM Denker to say to me that we watching a rising chess star.

Gabriel lived in Bucharest, Romania. He had recently won the Silver Medal in the World Under 12 championships in 1988 drawing his game with the famous young International Master Judith Polgar. He was in Thessalonika with his father Micu who was also his coach. We were surprised that Gabriel spoke English so well. Actually, he was fluent in Romanian, German and English and could converse and write in varying degrees in Spanish, Russian and French as well.

I was so impressed with Gabriel that I invited him to play a match with Arnold in Florida. This took place the following August. GM Denker won the match 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 but Gabriel and his father won the admiration of Florida's chess community. After the match, he not only gave a simultaneous exhibition against 19 of Florida's best players, winning 13 games and drawing 6, but took the time to explain to each of his opponents the concepts involved in their games with him. He was already demonstrating his great gift as a teacher of chess.

Over the years, my wife Teresa and I have become good friends with Gabriel, his mother Thea and father Micu. I was delighted when I was able to help them move from Romania to Gainesville, Florida. Once settled in his new home, Gabriel proceeded to ignite the enthusiasm of those within the Gainesville chess community. He is helping them to develop some of the nation's best young chess players.

Gabriel's love for chess did not prevent him from putting chess in proper perspective. He registered in the University of Florida's Business School and graduated first in his class. He received all A's and completed the four-year curriculum in 2 1/2 years!

Nevertheless his growing involvement in virtually every aspect of chess continued. He became, for a time, the world's youngest grandmaster. He is a chess columnist for both of USCF's major publications Chess Life and School Mates, and has established a successful Internet Chess Academy which the USCF is pleased to recommend to our members.