GM Larry Christiansen Simul
March 30, 2012 - Cornell Chess Club had the honor of hosting the one and only Grandmaster Larry Christiansen for a lecture and simul at Martha Van Renesslar Room 166.
Christiansen took on 25 challengers at once, and Cornellians managed to snatch 3 draws and 2 wins! Remember, simuls are very emotionally and physically draining for the person who hosts it - imagine splitting your concentration and energy between 25 individual games. Very impressive, to say the least!
Grandmaster Larry Christiansen, at the London (Phillips & Drew) tournament, April 1982
Christiansen grew up in Riverside, California, United States. In 1971, he became the first junior high school student to win the National High School Championship. He went on to win three invitational U.S. Junior Championships in 1973, 1974, and 1975. In 1977, at age 21, he became a Grandmaster without first having been an International master. Christiansen tied for first place with Anatoly Karpov in 1981. He won the 2001 Canadian Open Chess Championship. He also won Curaçao 2008 and the Bermuda Open 2011.
Christiansen played on the United States teams in the Chess Olympiad in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996 and 2002. He won the team silver medal in 1990 and the team bronze in 1982, 1984, 1986 and 1996.
Christiansen describes his playing style as "aggressive-tactical" and he lists his favorite opening as the Sämisch King's Indian.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.”