Michael Aigner
remains an active tournament player, coach and enthusiastic chess supporter in
Northern California. He refuses to surrender to little munchkins trying to eat
his rating points. He firmly believes that chess teachers should practice what
they preach, even if that means competing head-to-head against students and
their peers. In that spirit, he aspires
to reaching 2300 again after several years at or near the 2200 floor.Perhaps better known by the internet username "fpawn," Michael maintains an active online profile through his chess blog, teaching website and Twitter page.
Sabrina Chevannes is a Women's International Master from London and is a regular member of the England Ladies' team. She runs her own chess academy, the London Academy of Chess and Education and has a bestselling children's book - The Batsford Book of Chess for Children. She is a regular contributor on ChessBase, producing articles and DVDs but her main work actually falls outside of chess.
She runs a digital agency: London Creative Designs (www.londoncreativedesigns.com)
Brian Jerauld is a graduate of the University of Missouri
School of Journalism and the 2014 Chess Journalist of the Year. A resident of
St. Louis, Jerauld has covered several high-profile events such as the U.S.
Championships and Sinquefield Cup, and is the author of a weekly chess column
on St. Louis Public Radio. He is currently the communications specialist of the
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.Jennifer Vallens is a chess mom and marketing professional who is fairly new to the chess scene since her 10-year-old son started competing in tournaments two years ago. You may see her at various chess events cheering enthusiastically from the sidelines and occasionally playing a tournament herself. Jennifer writes a fun and informative chess newsletter Off da Rook which can be found on her website www.offdarook.com.
Jennifer also teaches beginning chess, runs a chess club at her son's elementary school and helps organize chess camps and events around the Los Angeles area. When she is not consumed with all things chess, you can find her at the gym, hiking and spending quality time with her family.
Browse through Best of CLO 2013 here.