Alex Lenderman
Alex Lenderman first started playing chess with his grandfather when he was 9. From 2004-2007, he attended Edward R. Murrow high school in Brooklyn, NY, and was a member of the super-team that won four straight, national high-school titles. The journey of this high-school, chess dream team was documented in the 2007 book The Kings of New York, by Michael Weinreb.
Since that time, Alex has been a formidable force in the chess world and has solidified himself as a young rising star. In 2008, he managed to barely edge GM Sergey Kudrin to win the USCF's Grand Prix, and in 2009, he ran away with the competition. He played in the 2010 U.S. Championship in Saint Louis, and is looking to make his mark at this year's event. Lenderman has been playing an exciting brand of chess as of late and will be a formidable contender in this year's championship.
In the summer of 2009, Alex earned three GM norms in a little more than a month's time:
- Copper State International Tournament in Mesa, Ariz.: May 29-June 3
- Philadelphia International Tournament: June 25-29
- World Open in Philadelphia: July 5