FPAWN CHESS

Student Honor Roll

Last updated: August 2023

  1. Only includes students who took private lessons for at least 6 months.
  2. Skipped results achieved before coaching began, but included those after we stopped.
  3. A teacher merely lays the foundation and cultivates love for chess. Ultimate success depends on personal effort and motivation. Elite students often study with several coaches, all who deserve credit.
  4. All ties for first place are considered co-champions.

National Masters (ranked by peak USCF rating)

  1. Daniel Naroditsky 2733 - NM in 2007
  2. Steven Zierk 2608 - NM in 2008
  3. Kirk Ghazarian 2566 - NM in 2018
  4. Yian Liou 2502 - NM in 2009
  5. Gregory Young 2477 - NM in 2007
  6. Gabriel Bick 2475 - NM in 2015
  7. Daniel Schwarz 2370 - NM in 2006
  8. Matt Zavortink 2321 - NM in 2017
  9. Richard Yi 2291 - NM in 2017
  10. Nicholas Karas 2273 - NM in 2012
  11. Neel Apte 2244 - NM in 2015
  12. Evan Sandberg 2242 - NM in 2010
  13. Daniel Liu 2214 - NM in 2012
  14. Michael Lin 2213 - NM in 2013
  15. Joshua Cao 2202 - NM in 2017

International Titles (ranked by peak FIDE rating)

  • Daniel Naroditsky 2647 - GM in 2013, IM in 2011, FM in 2007
  • Steven Zierk 2517 - GM in 2018, IM in 2010, FM in 2009
  • Kirk Ghazarian 2479 - IM in 2022, FM in 2021, has two GM norms
  • Gabriel Bick 2419 - IM in 2019, FM in 2017, has two GM norms
  • Yian Liou 2417 - IM in 2014, FM in 2012
  • Gregory Young 2386 - eligible for FM since 2011, has one IM norm

World Youth Championships

  • 2010 Steven Zierk - GOLD MEDAL for World Youth U-18 in Halkidiki, Greece
  • 2007 Daniel Naroditsky - GOLD MEDAL for World Youth U-12 in Antalya, Turkey

National Scholastic Championships

  • 2008
    • Kyle Shin - champion of 5th Grade
  • 2007
    • Daniel Schwarz - co-champion of High School Blitz
  • 2007
    • Gregory Young - co-champion of Junior High K-9
  • 2006
    • David Chock - 3rd place for High School
    • Saratoga H.S. - 3rd place for High School Team

National Invitationals

  • 2013
    • Daniel Naroditsky champion of US Junior in Saint Louis, Missouri
  • 2011
    • Gregory Young champion of US Junior in Saint Louis, Missouri
  • 2010
    • Steven Zierk champion of Denker in Irvine, California
    • Yian Liou co-champion of US Cadet in Crossville, Tennessee
  • 2008
    • Gregory Young co-champion of US Junior in Lindsborg, Kansas

Winners at CalChess State Scholastics

  • 2012
    • Neel Apte - Middle School
  • 2011
    • Nicholas Karas - High School (and to Denker)
    • Neel Apte and Kyle Shin - Middle School (with Neel to Barber)
  • 2010
    • Saratoga H.S. - High School Team #6
    • James Kwok - Middle School
    • Kyle Shin and Neel Apte - Elementary K-6
    • Rahul Mohan - Elementary K-5
  • 2009
    • Yian Liou and Evan Sandberg - High School (with Evan to Denker)
    • Saratoga H.S. - High School Team #5
    • Windemere Ranch M.S. - Middle School Team
    • James Kwok - Elementary K-6
    • Daniel Liu and Neel Apte - Elementary K-5
  • 2008
    • Steven Zierk, Daniel Naroditsky and Jeff Young - High School (with Steven to Denker)
    • Saratoga H.S. - High School Team #4
    • Redwood M.S. - Middle School Team
    • Yian Liou - Elementary K-6
    • Kyle Shin - Elementary K-5
  • 2007
    • Daniel Naroditsky - High School
    • Saratoga H.S. High School Team Team #3
    • Steven Zierk - Middle School
    • Redwood M.S. - Middle School Team
  • 2006
    • Daniel Schwarz - High School (and to Denker)
    • Saratoga H.S. - High School Team #2
    • Charles Sun - Middle School
    • Gregory Young - Elementary K-6
  • 2005
    • Saratoga H.S. - High School Team #1
    • Aaron Garg - Middle School
  • 2002
    • Daniel Schwarz - Middle School
    • David Chock - Elementary K-6

Winners at CalChess Grade Levels

  • 2011
    • Benjamin Tong - Grades 9-12
  • 2010
    • Aamir Azhar - Grades 9-12
  • 2009
    • Aamir Azhar - 8th Grade
  • 2008
    • Suraj Nair - 9th Grade
    • Aamir Azhar - 7th Grade
  • 2006
    • Steven Zierk - 8th Grade
    • James Kwok - 4th Grade
  • 2001
    • Daniel Schwarz - 7th Grade
  • 1999
    • Daniel Schwarz - 4th Grade



© 2023 Michael Aigner