Paying Tribute to Fred Gruenberg

Paying tribute to Fred Gruenberg, the organizer of the National Open for the past 25 years, the man who put the FUN back into chess.

Unlike some organizers who are just out to make big bucks from the players, Fred puts in $100,000 annually to organize the National Open. He is doing this for all players, and he treats all players the way they deserve. He respects and admires professional chess players and have done so much to show his appreciation.

He also wants to see the new generation of chess players excel. That is why I have been teaming up with Fred for the past 4 years to bring the SP World Open for Boys and Girls to the Las Vegas Chess Festival.

I wish there are more organizers like Fred. The chess world would be so much better if everyone cares about the players and the growth of our game instead of chess politics and the power grab game.

Next year, his long time partners of the Las Vegas Chess Festival Al Losoff and Bill Snead will be taking it over for him. They will make sure that the same traditions will continue for years to come. On behalf of all the chess lovers out there, thank you Fred for everything you have done for chess and the players.