Marc Esserman

{{Short description|American chess player (born 1983)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox chess player |name = Marc Esserman |image = |country = United States |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|07|28}} |birth_place = Miami, Florida |title = International Master (2009) |peakrating = 2474 (April 2016) |FideID = 2018616 }}

'''Marc Esserman''' (born July 28, 1983) is an American chess player who currently holds the FIDE title of International Master (IM).

== Scholastic career == Esserman began playing chess at the age of 7. Scholastic competition resulted in two national team titles in 1994 and 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=1&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4D199A194F736&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|date=1995-03-16|accessdate=2011-12-28|title=Chess Era Will Draw to a Close|publisher=Miami Herald|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304215841/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=1&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4D199A194F736&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 1997, at the first-ever Super Nationals in Knoxville, Tennessee, he went undefeated (7–0) to become the K–8 co-champion, edging out several players rated over 400 points higher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://main.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?199704274850.5|title=1997 SUPER NATIONALS I|publisher=US Chess Federation|date=1997-04-27|accessdate=2011-12-24}}</ref> In March 1999, Esserman tied for 1st in the Florida State Championship, again with a perfect score.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://main.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?199903143220.0|publisher=US Chess Federation|title=FLORIDA SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP|date=1999-03-14|accessdate=2011-12-24}}</ref>

Press coverage of Esserman's chess career continued while an undergraduate at Harvard College.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://harvardmagazine.com/2002/11/castling-in-the-square.html|title=Castling in the Square &#124; Harvard Magazine Nov–Dec 2002|publisher=Harvard Magazine|date=November 2002|accessdate=2011-10-24|archive-date=January 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115163724/http://harvardmagazine.com/2002/11/castling-in-the-square.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There, he was active promoting chess on campus, serving as captain of the Harvard Chess Club for four years, and helping to organize a chess exchange trip to Beijing, China. There, he played (and defeated) the reigning women's world champion, Xu Yuhua, as part of an inter-university match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~hcc/team.php|title=Harvard Chess Club|publisher=Hcs.harvard.edu|date=2007-02-17|accessdate=2011-10-24|archive-date=October 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017002201/http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~hcc/team.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

During high school and college, Esserman trained under IM Calvin Blocker,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/blockers-gambit/Content?oid=1492313|title=Blocker's Gambit|publisher=Clevescene.com|date=2005-10-05|accessdate=2011-12-25|archive-date=March 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303164507/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/blockers-gambit/Content?oid=1492313|url-status=live}}</ref> GM Anatoly Lein, and later GM William Lombardy. In a trip to Russia, he also studied briefly with Igor Zaitsev.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boston-blitz.com/2008/09/ilya-krasik-talks-to-marc-esserman/|title=Ilya Krasik talks to Marc Esserman|publisher=Boston-Blitz.com|date=2008-09-03|accessdate=2011-12-25|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421222811/http://boston-blitz.com/2008/09/ilya-krasik-talks-to-marc-esserman/|archivedate=2012-04-21}}</ref>

== Professional career == After graduation, he returned to Boston in 2008 to promote local chess and chess education by serving on the board of directors of the Boylston Chess Club and representing the city of Boston in the United States Chess League. As a member of the Boston Blitz, he has demonstrated a high winning percentage with a lifetime league score of 75%, ranking him No. 6 league-wide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uschessleague.com/HistoryPlayerStats.html |publisher=uschessleague.com |title=UNITED STATES CHESS LEAGUE: Stats current up to end of 2011 |date=2011-12-07 |accessdate=2011-12-23 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614143653/http://www.uschessleague.com/HistoryPlayerStats.html |archivedate=2012-06-14 }}</ref> In the 2009–2010 season and the 2010–2011 season, six out of his eight games placed either 1st or 2nd in the league's game of the week contest—with Esserman winning four of those awarded games. Some of these games have been published for Esserman's "brilliant performance" and sacrificial, tactical qualities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/games/articles/2009/10/03/chess_notes/|last=Wolff|first=Patrick|title=Chess Notes|newspaper=Boston.com|date=2009-10-03|access-date=2011-12-25|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071047/http://www.boston.com/ae/games/articles/2009/10/03/chess_notes/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/games/articles/2009/10/17/17chessart/|last=Wolff|first=Patrick|title=Chess Notes|date=2009-10-17|access-date=2011-12-25|archive-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927022721/http://www.boston.com/ae/games/articles/2009/10/17/17chessart/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/games/articles/2009/11/07/chess_notes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126165426/http://archive.boston.com/ae/games/articles/2009/11/07/chess_notes/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 26, 2021|last=Wolff|first=Patrick|title=Chess Notes|date=2009-11-07|accessdate=2011-12-27}}</ref> Esserman placed 3rd in the League's 2010 Game of the Year contest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://usclnews.blogspot.com/2010/01/game-of-year-3rd-place.html|title=US Chess League News: Game of the Year – 3rd Place|publisher=usclnews.blogspot.com|date=2010-01-27|accessdate=2011-10-24|archive-date=October 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001122952/http://usclnews.blogspot.com/2010/01/game-of-year-3rd-place.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of his games have been recorded in ''The New York Times'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/crosswords/chess/25chess.html|title=An Often-Shunned Opening, for Good Reason|last=McClain |first=Dylan |newspaper=The New York Times|date=2009-10-24 |accessdate=2011-12-23}}</ref> ''The Boston Globe'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.boston.com/ae/games/articles/2011/12/10/chess_notes/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701172145/http://articles.boston.com/2011-12-10/ae/30502557_1_ruslan-ponomariov-move-gambit|url-status=live|archive-date=2012-07-01|last=Wolff|first=Patrick|title=Chess Notes|publisher=boston.com|date=2011-12-10|access-date=2011-12-23}}</ref> the ''New York Post'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/more_of_the_morra_Cx1AaRem0POvBTZ4sDqtgO|last=Soltis|first=Andy|title=More of the Morra|publisher=New York Post|date=2011-08-27|accessdate=2011-12-23|archive-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927020350/http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/more_of_the_morra_Cx1AaRem0POvBTZ4sDqtgO|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Washington Times'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Sands|first=David|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/16/sands-lenderman-last-man-standing-in-us-open/|title=SANDS: Lenderman last man standing in U.S. Open|publisher=The Washington Times|date=2011-08-16|accessdate=2011-12-23|archive-date=August 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817045757/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/16/sands-lenderman-last-man-standing-in-us-open/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Scotsman'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/chess_12_08_2011_1_1795192|title=Chess 12/08/2011|publisher=The Scotsman|date=2011-08-12|accessdate=2011-12-23}}</ref> ''La Libre Belgique'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lalibre.be/sports/global/article/681374/du-nouveau-dans-le-gambit-morra.html|title=Du nouveau dans le gambit Morra|last=Winant|first=Luc|publisher=La Libre Belgique|date=2011-08-27|accessdate=2011-12-23}}</ref> Новости шахмат ("Chess News"),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chess-news.ru/node/3636|first=Михаил|last=Голубев|date=2011-11-08|title=Как обыграть в гамбите Морра сильного гроссмейстера из Голландии ("How to beat a strong Dutch GM with the Morra")|accessdate=2011-12-28|publisher=Новости шахмат|archive-date=January 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106130802/http://chess-news.ru/node/3636|url-status=live}}</ref> and other newspapers.

Esserman has achieved notable results in major European and U.S. open and invitational tournaments, in which he has defeated numerous grandmasters. Pre-title major tournament experience was auspicious with a tie for 1st in the 2003 Atlantic Open alongside four experienced GMs, in which he also split the U2400 1st prize.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/sep/5/20030905-082354-9182r/print/|date=2003-09-05|accessdate=2011-12-31|publisher=The Washington Times|title=Ehlvest leads crew in Atlantic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chesstour.com/ao03r.htm|title=Atlantic Open, Open Section|publisher=Continental Chess Association|accessdate=2011-12-31|archive-date=April 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426082233/http://www.chesstour.com/ao03r.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> After a return to serious tournament chess in 2008, IM norms and top finishes followed quickly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9005/500/|title=Berkeley Norm Hunt|date=2008-12-22|accessdate=2011-12-31|publisher=Chess Life Online|archive-date=December 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225124932/http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9005/500|url-status=live}}</ref> He was a co-winner at the Eastern Class Championship in Sturbridge (2009),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uschess.org/content/view/9184/520|last=Bird|first=Chris|title=Esserman and Sadvakasov Thrill in Sturbridge|publisher=US Chess Federation|date=2009-03-10|accessdate=2011-12-25|archive-date=August 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816191812/http://www.uschess.org/content/view/9184/520/|url-status=live}}</ref> the New York State Championship (2010),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/new-york-states-chess-champion-hes-14/|title=New York State's Chess Champion? He's 14|work=The New York Times|last=McClain|first=Dylan|date=2010-09-08|accessdate=2011-12-25|archive-date=November 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114001254/http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/new-york-states-chess-champion-hes-14/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Liberty Bell Open in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://main.uschess.org/content/view/10983/616|title=The US Chess Scoop on the Liberty Bell Open|publisher=US Chess Federation|date=2011-01-21|accessdate=2011-12-25|archive-date=March 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301031926/http://main.uschess.org/content/view/10983/616|url-status=live}}</ref> He tied for 3rd at the Miami Open (2008) with 6½/9 and reported on the top performances, including his own {{chessgloss|brilliancy}} in the Smith–Morra Gambit against fellow IM Justin Sarkar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://main.uschess.org/content/view/8739/473/|last=Esserman|first=Marc|title=Esserman Blogs from Miami|date=2008-08-19|accessdate=2011-12-27|archive-date=July 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725062928/http://main.uschess.org/content/view/8739/473/|url-status=live}}</ref> He tied for 2nd at the Wunsiedel Schachfest in Wunsiedel, Germany (2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wunsiedel-schachfestival.de/archiv.htm|last=Klaus|first=Stefan|title=Archiv 2007 – 2011|date=2011-08-15|accessdate=2011-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123055459/http://www.wunsiedel-schachfestival.de/archiv.htm|archive-date=2012-01-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 20, 2010, he achieved an upset in the New York Invitational Tournament against former U.S. champion Joel Benjamin.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loeb|first=Dylan|url=http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/upsets-abound-at-new-york-international/|title=Upsets Abound at New York International|work=The New York Times|date=2010-06-21|accessdate=2011-10-24|archive-date=November 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129070515/http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/upsets-abound-at-new-york-international/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2011, at the 112th US Open, he defeated Loek van Wely in a spectacular game that has been widely republished in chess database top game selections,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1630005|title=Marc of Excellence|accessdate=2011-11-07|archive-date=November 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101082526/http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1630005|url-status=live}}</ref> in print,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-10/ae/30139919_1_move-5nf3-alex-lenderman|title=Chess Notes|date=2011-09-10|accessdate=2011-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111111557/http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-10/ae/30139919_1_move-5nf3-alex-lenderman|archive-date=2012-01-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> in chess videos,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webcast.chessclub.com/preview/Alterman/2011_08_18/Alterman_preview.html|last=Alterman|first=Boris|title=Smith–Morra Gambit|date=2011-08-18|publisher=Internet Chess Club|accessdate=2011-12-31|archive-date=May 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526020106/http://webcast.chessclub.com/preview/Alterman/2011_08_18/Alterman_preview.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and in chess blogs. In particular, GM Kevin Spraggett prefaced his game analysis by observing that "Esserman had already established a reputation for producing some Tal-like masterpieces."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kevinspraggett.blogspot.com/2011/08/upset-at-us-open.html|date=2011-08-07|accessdate=2011-12-27|last=Spraggett|first=Kevin|title=Upset at US Open|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426074123/http://kevinspraggett.blogspot.com/2011/08/upset-at-us-open.html|archivedate=2012-04-26}}</ref> Due to a late-round loss, Esserman finished in a multi-way tie for 8th place with 7/9, a half-point behind a 7-way tie for 1st.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alchess.com/chess/11/usopen/?page=WINNERS&xsection=merged|title=2011 US Open Championship|date=2011-08-07|accessdate=2011-12-27|archive-date=April 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425134209/http://www.alchess.com/chess/11/usopen/?page=WINNERS&xsection=merged|url-status=live}}</ref>

Esserman's games have been featured for their instructional value and deep tactical ideas in Larry Christiansen's popular Internet Chess Club broadcast, "Attack with LarryC" on 11 March 2009, 25 November 2009, and 17 August 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chessclub.com/chessfm/index/larryc/index.html|accessdate=2011-12-28|last=Christiansen|first=Larry|title=Attack with LarryC|archive-date=January 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102072931/http://www.chessclub.com/chessfm/index/larryc/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2016, Esserman competed in the prestigious Gibraltar Masters chess festival. There he defeated former world championship challenger Nigel Short.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1814426|title=Marc Esserman vs Nigel Short (2016)|access-date=September 9, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923130204/http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1814426|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in the tournament, he had the opportunity to face five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand . As White, Esserman played his favorite Morra Gambit. The players agreed to a draw after a repetition of moves, but many commentators felt that Esserman could have won.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1814884|title=Marc Esserman vs Viswanathan Anand (2016)|access-date=September 9, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923125259/http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1814884|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://new.uschess.org/news/kostyas-chess-eurotrip-two-months-four-tourneys-six-cities-and-38-games-of-chess/|title = Kostya's Chess Eurotrip: Two Months, Four Tourneys, Six Cities and 38 Games of Chess|date = 3 May 2016|access-date = September 9, 2016|archive-date = September 15, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160915063457/https://new.uschess.org/news/kostyas-chess-eurotrip-two-months-four-tourneys-six-cities-and-38-games-of-chess/|url-status = live}}</ref> A few weeks later in the Capelle-La-Grande International, Esserman defeated Grandmaster Yuri Vovk, again with the Morra Gambit,<ref>(citation http://chess-db.com/public/game.jsp?id=2018616.14113171.55164672.29123 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918045316/http://chess-db.com/public/game.jsp?id=2018616.14113171.55164672.29123 |date=September 18, 2016 }})</ref> and drew world champion candidate Artur Yusupov.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artur Yusupov vs Marc Esserman (2016) |url=https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1950648 |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=www.chessgames.com}}</ref> In March 2016, during the Reykjavik Open, Esserman drew grandmasters Richárd Rapport and Alexander Beliavsky.

== Teaching and writing == Esserman has given lectures and simuls in his specialty opening, the Smith–Morra Gambit, at various chess clubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2010/04/marc-esserman-lecture.html |title=Marc Esserman Lecture |date=2010-04-17 |accessdate=2011-12-25 |publisher=The Kenilworthian |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129143128/http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2010/04/marc-esserman-lecture.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boylston-chess-club.blogspot.com/2009/11/im-marc-esserman-master-lecture-on.html|title=IM Marc Esserman Master Lecture on the Smith Morra Gambit|date=2009-11-24|accessdate=2011-12-25|publisher=Boylston Chess Club Weblog|archive-date=April 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419170644/http://boylston-chess-club.blogspot.com/2009/11/im-marc-esserman-master-lecture-on.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the author of the book ''Mayhem in the Morra!'', published in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/blog/?p=925|title=Updated Publishing Schedule|date=2012-01-13|accessdate=2012-02-05|publisher=Quality Chess Blog}}</ref>

He is an occasional contributor to ''Chess Life'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uschess.org/content/view/10209/576|last=Esserman|first=Marc|title=Spring in the Air at the Eastern Class|date=2010-03-10|accessdate=2011-12-28|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102050526/http://www.uschess.org/content/view/10209/576|url-status=live}}</ref> and frequent contributor to the United States Chess League news blog.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://usclnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/marc-esserman-annotates.html|title=IM Marc Esserman Guest Annotates|last=Esserman|first=Esserman|date=2010-10-02|accessdate=2011-12-28|archive-date=April 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426074146/http://usclnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/marc-esserman-annotates.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://usclnews.blogspot.com/2010/11/im-marc-esserman-guest-annotates-again.html|last=Esserman|first=Marc|date=2010-11-09|accessdate=2011-12-28|title=IM Marc Esserman Guest Annotates Again|archive-date=April 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426074125/http://usclnews.blogspot.com/2010/11/im-marc-esserman-guest-annotates-again.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://usclnews.blogspot.com/2011/11/im-marc-esserman-unconditionally.html|last=Esserman|first=Marc|date=2011-11-13|accessdate=2011-12-28|title=IM Marc Esserman unconditionally retires, again|archive-date=April 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426074139/http://usclnews.blogspot.com/2011/11/im-marc-esserman-unconditionally.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Marc Esserman continues to teach on the streaming platform Twitch,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twitch|url=https://www.twitch.tv/whyyyyyyysoserious|access-date=2020-10-31|website=Twitch|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024100151/https://www.twitch.tv/whyyyyyyysoserious|url-status=live}}</ref> where he gives lectures on various chess games and concepts.

==Other interests== Esserman is an avid tennis player who has played in several professional tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coretennis.net/majic/pageServer/0l01000009/en/pid/12229/index.html |title=Marc Esserman |publisher=Coretennis.net |date=2007-08-28 |accessdate=2011-10-24 |archive-date=October 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002145621/http://www.coretennis.net/majic/pageServer/0l01000009/en/pid/12229/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZs7P2nzSYuzuv6NENu2E3w |title=Marc Esserman Channel |website=YouTube |access-date=July 30, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012041/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZs7P2nzSYuzuv6NENu2E3w |url-status=live }}</ref>

He is a frequent visitor to the Harvard Square chess scene.

== References == {{Reflist|2}}

== External links == * {{FIDE}} * {{Chessgames.com player|10094}} * {{Chess.com member|MEsserman}} * {{Lichess.org player|MassterofMayhem}} * {{Twitch}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Esserman, Marc}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:Chess International Masters Category:Harvard College alumni Category:Sportspeople from Miami Category:American Twitch (service) streamers Category:21st-century American chess players