International Master Josh Waitzkin

IM Josh Waitzkin started playing chess when he was 6. Later, he was “discovered” by Bruce Pandolfini while playing chess in a NY City park. Josh won a series of scholastic championships and at the age of 11, drew a game with World Champion Garry Kasparov in a simultaneous exhibition. At age 13, Josh earned the title of national master. He won the National Junior High Championship for the second time in 1990, and the Senior High Championship in 1991, as well as the U.S. Cadet Championship. At 16, he became an international master. In 1993, he was the U.S. Junior Co-Champion, and in 1994 he won the U.S. Junior Championship and placed fourth in the World Under-18 Championship. In 1993, Paramount Pictures released the film Searching for Bobby Fischer, documenting Josh's journey to win his first National Championship. At 18, Josh became an author penning his book, Attacking Chess. He has since worked with Bruce Pandolfini in their acclaimed instructional video Chess Starts Here.

View his rating and tournament history.