WHO IS FPAWN?
Me,
myself and I
In one sentence, I can describe myself best as a 33 year old Engineering graduate who enjoys acquiring knowledge and playing chess while cruising around in a motorized red and black wheelchair. I am currently self-employed as a chess teacher for nationally ranked children in Northern California. I am also active as a chess player, always seeking to improve my own game.
Education
Engineering Resume: http://www.fpawn.com/resume.html
Most of my primary and secondary education took place in Florida. I graduated Summa Cum Lauda from the International Baccalaureate program at St. Petersburg High School (go Green Devils!) in 1992, receiving the I.B. diploma as well as the High School pigskin. My higher level subjects were Mathematics, Physics and English.
In 1992, I began my studies at the University of California at Davis (go Aggies!). Five years and 230 (quarter) units later I graduated with Highest Honors in Mechanical Engineering with a double major of Mathematics. It is partly a consequence of the interest that Davis stirred in me that I went on to Stanford.
I spent 5 years as a graduate student at Stanford University (hail to the Cardinal!) studying Mechanical Engineering. My primary academic and research interests of understanding, modelling and simulating mechanical systems, such as the human body, placed me in the Division of Mechanics and Computation and the Biomechanical Engineering Division. I was researching a computational model of a human muscle incorporating concepts of continuum mechanics, distributed control, and the finite element method. I was hoping to have a Ph.D. sometime soon, but research became increasingly more frustrating and I sought a change of pace. Maybe some day I'll return to finish what I started. Keep your fingers crossed. ;-)
Chess
Photos of fpawn, mostly at chess tournaments: http://www.fpawn.com/pictures.html
Although my dad taught me the moves around age 10 and I played regularly at a high school club, my interest in the royal game awoke at UC Davis. I joined the United States Chess Federation and the Northern California chess scene in 1993. Today I am an official Life Master in the US Chess Federation! My home club is the Sacramento Chess Club, although over the years, I have attended several of the major Bay Area chess clubs. From 1998 to 2002, I played on the Stanford University varsity chess team in various national and international intercollegiate competitions.
Since 2002, I have given private chess instructions to many youngsters, mostly on the Internet Chess Club via a computer board and a phone connection. One of my students has become a master himself and several have won state and even national championships! Two students held the #1 ranking for the age in the entire nation. I enjoy the challenge of teaching elite children, in part because they keep me sharp in my own efforts to improve.
And for those of you still in the dark, the alias "fpawn" is my online handle and refers to my frequent devotion to a certain unusual (but not unsound) opening move. Yes, I play both the Dutch defense as black and sometimes even the Bird’s opening as white.
Disability
So far I have expounded on academics and chess, neglecting to mention my disability. I was born with short arms and short legs. Although I scoot or hop around at home, I use a power wheelchair to get around in the real world. However, I try my best each day to not dwell on my disability but rather on my abilities. Hence, do not expect to read much more about my disability here on this webpage :-)
