Joel Benjamin
GrandMaster
Grandmaster Joel Benjamin was the prodigy who broke Bobby Fischer’s record for youngest U.S. Master. After winning many national scholastic and junior titles, Joel competed in a record 23 consecutive U.S. Championships from 1981-2006. Joel won the title three times. He has also played on many national teams, competing in Olympiads for the U.S. six times including team silver 1990 and team bronze 1996 and two World Team Championships, team gold 1993, team silver 1997, and individual gold 1993. He shared first in six World Opens.
Joel was the chess consultant to the IBM’s chess computer Deep Blue for its victorious match with Garry Kasparov in 1997, the subject of the 2013 off-Broadway production The Machine (Joel is a character in the show). He also had a cameo in the film, Searching For Bobby Fischer (1993).
Joel has taught in many chess camps around the country and now makes his living as a private coach, teacher in schools, and commentator and show host (Game of the Week) on Internet Chess Club. Check out his new book, “Liquidation on the Chessboard.”