N.C. Chess Hall of Fame

NM Leland Fuerstman (1947 --    )

I don't recall ever playing any chess through high school?! I was more interested in drinking, fist fighting and kissing pretty girls! I contracted the "chess virus" just about the time I arrived in Vietnam in 1967. Good fortune had it that I was an administrative clerk at Headquarters in DaNang where all new soldiers were processed. I always asked if they played chess!

Most of the players were rank beginners...but one day, a young soldier with a disciplinary problem came through. I don't remember his name, but I do remember that he was from Boston and claimed to have tournament experience!... we sat down to play whereupon he successfully effected every fork, skewer, pawn trick, combination, piece sac, queen sac, pawn avalanche, smothered mate and swindle that I had ever witnessed in one 30-minute period!!? Upon losing every game I stated, "you are the strongest player I have ever played in my life! You must be a Master!" To which he responded, "Actually, I'm a 1300 player!!...everybody beats me!?"

Shortly after I returned from Vietnam, I met Russell Brown (1650), the son of R. Grady Brown who organized tournaments in S.C. and N.C. in the late 1950's. Playing skittles with Russell quickly improved my game. My first chess book, "Great Short Games of the Chess Masters" by Fred Reinfeld, gave me the idea that "all" chess games ended that way! Maybe, that was a good thing!?

In February of 1972, I played in my first tournament. I recall that though I defeated Chauncy Harmon (1650) in the first round, my first published rating was only 1357. I bought more books and began to study. Over the next few years I relocated to Atlanta, Richmond, Kansas City, Boulder and finally back to Charlotte and played hundreds of tournament games.

Finally, in the early 80's I began to see some progress. The Triangle area seemed to have the strongest players in the state. Among them were NM David Steele, NM LeRoy Taylor and the extraordinary SM Greg Samsa. I often traveled to Chapel Hill to compete against these giants usually coming out on the losing end. But, if you want to be the best, you've got to beat the best!! Finally, my skill level increased to 2100+. I remember a very important game whereby I sacrificed 2 pawns to Draw SM Samsa! After that, I had the confidence I needed. Finally, in November 1985, at the age of 37, I achieved the Title of National Master.

All of this occurred while I was raising three young boys, ultimately by myself. My oldest son Mischa, 30, owns FirstComm Communications and has produced three beautiful grandchildren. My middle son Joe, 28, is the Joe "Firstman" on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly and my youngest son, Sammy, 25, is a journalist/ stand-up comic/ waiter in New York City.

I founded the Charlotte Chess Club 32 years ago and continue to run the club and edit the website (www.charlottechess.com). Though I don't travel as much anymore, I still compete in weekly tournament competition as well as give lessons. I am blessed to have made many life-long friends through chess.

It is an honor to be a member of the NCCA Hall of Fame. – Leland Fuerstman