Bill Wall's Chess Bio

 

I was born William (Bill) Dale Wall in Raymond, Washington on May 11, 1951. My parents were William Raymond Wall and Bobbie (Brown) Wall, both chess players.

I probably learned chess from my parents when I was around 9 years old in Tacoma, Washington.  I did not know all the rules, such as en passant and proper castling.  I did not know chess notation until 1969, when I started buying chess books.

In 1965, I played in a chess tournament sponsored by a Boy Scouts Troop in San Francisco.

From 1967 to 1969 I played on the high school chess team at Clover Park High School in Lakewood, Washington.  I was the chess club treasurer.  We played several local schools.

In 1968, I won a chess tournament for juniors a the Tacoma YMCA.

In 1969, I transferred to Lakes High School in Tacoma and played on their chess team.

In the summer of 1969, after graduating from High School, I joined the Tacoma Chess Club, located at 719 South I Street in Tacoma, Washington.  I was a member of the club from 1969 to 1972.  I bought my first chess clock and chess books at the Tacoma Chess Club.

In September 1969 I attended Northrop Institute of Technology (Northrop University) in Inglewood, California and quickly took up chess there. I was President of the college chess club and won its championship.

I entered the 5th American Open on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1969, at the Retail Clerk's Union Auditorium on 1410 2nd Street in Santa Monica.  I was encouraged by a letter from Isaac Kashdan to play.  Entry fee was $15 for me and I joined the United States Chess Federation (USCF) for $5. It was an 8-round Swiss System event. The tournament director was William Bragg. Top player was 20-year-old International Master (and later Grandmaster) Walter Browne (2445). The mayor of Santa Monica welcomed the players. Browne played on board 1. Time control was 50 moves in 2 hours. The event was won by Ray Martin. Other players there included Kim Commons, Larry Christiansen, Tibor Weinberger, Jude Acers, Charles Henin (California State Champion), Ross Stoutenborough, Ron Gross, and Carl Pilnick. Walter Browne got knocked off by John Davidian who sacrificed his rook to get a mating position with Queen and Bishop in 29 moves. The youngest player was a 7-year-old. The player on the last board was me. I played on board 101 of the 202-player event. I was only able to complete 4 games due to transportation problems and ended up with a provisional rating of 1522 (1 win, 1 loss, 2 draws)

In 1970 I returned to Tacoma, Washington and continued to play chess at the Tacoma Chess Club, winning a blitz tourney.

 In February 1970, I went to North Augusta, South Carolina and formed a chess club there. I played chess in Augusta, Georgia and met several chess players in the area (Dodgen, Garris, Yost, Lee Hyder, etc).

In September 1970 I joined the U.S. Air Force. While in Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, I won the base championship in October, played at the Recreation Center.   It was my first chess trophy.

After Basic Training, I was assigned to Aircraft Maintenance School at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas. I won that base championship in December 1970.  I won every weekly chess tourney at the recreation center, winning a watch, radio, welding kit (?), and a wallet. 

In 1971, I was assigned to Beale AFB in Marysville/Yuba City, California. I was a crew chief on KC-135Q tankers that refueled SR-71 Blackbirds. I organized a chess club and wrote a chess column for the base paper. The other top two players there were Dr (LtCol) Henry Giertych (USCF expert) and Capt John Manson (Class A player) .

In July 1971, I organized, directed, and won the 1971 Beale AFB Summer Open.  There were 20 entries.

In December, 1971 I was assigned to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa and played a lot of chess at the Naha USO chess club where I met players like Kalish, Swaim, Pendergast, Bob Karch, etc. 

I was TDY to U Tapao Air Base, Thailand in late December and won its USO chess championship.

In February 1972, I won the Kadema Air Base chess championship in Okinawa.

In July 1972, I took 2nd in the Beale AFB chess championship, won by Captain John Manson.  It was held at the Jetstar Recreation Center.

In August 1972, I directed the 1972 Beale AFB Summer Open, a USCF-rated event.  It was won by Capt John Manson.

From September 1972 to August 1973, I wrote a chess column for the Beale AFB newspaper.

In February 1973, I played in the Central California Chess Associatio (CCCA) Grand Prix in Berkeley, directed by Martin Morrison. I took 2nd place in the under-1800 section.

In May 1973, I took 2nd in the Beale AFB championship, won by Lt Col Henry Giertych,

In June 1973, I won the North Augusta, SC chess club blitz championship.  There were 20 players in the event.

On June 30 to July 4, 1973 I played in the first World Open in New York, held at the McAlpin hotel at 34th and Broadway, directed by Bill Goichberg. It was a 10 round Swiss System event. Entry fee was $30. Walter Browne won the event (9-1). The prize fund was $15,000, a world record for an open. There were 725 players, which was a new attendance record. I won 5, lost 3. 

Returning to Beale AFB, I became a certified tournament director with the USCF and directed a few rated events. 

In September 1973, I was then given a PCS assignment to U Tapao Air Base, Thailand where I won all the weekly USO chess tournaments.

In October 1973, I won the U Tapao Air Base championship, played at the USO club.

In February 1974, I was temporally assigned to Anderson Air Base, Guam for 5 months. I organized and directed several chess tournaments on the island.   I won the Tropican Open and the Anderson Air Base championship.

On return to U Tapao in July 1974, I won the U Tapao USO championship and was inducted into the Thailand USO Hall of Fame for my chess activities.

I was honorably discharged in September, 1974 as a Staff Sergeant and returned stateside. I went to Statesville/Taylorsville, North Carolina and started up a chess club. I was the chess coach and trainer for the local high school (Alexander Central HS), which won the North Carolina State High School Chess Championships three years in a row.

In February 1975, I took 4th place in the U.S. Booster chess championship, held in Los Angeles.

Throughout 1975, I played in the Pewter Cup in Hickory, NC, the Statesville, NC Open, the Mimosa Cup in Morganton, NC, the Dogwood Open in Statesville, the RAM tourneys in Chapel Hill, and varius tournaments in Taylorsville and Wilkesboro, NC.

In May 1975, I played in the World Class Championship in Vancouver, British Columbia and took 5th place. I met and interviewed Paul Keres and Walter Browne at that event, and ran their wall boards during the tournament.  I had a rating of 1756.  One of my games appeared in Chess Informant 19.

In June 1975, I took 1st place in the Tarheel Clssic, Under 2000 section, held in Raleigh, NC.

In July 1975, I played in the World Open in New York.

In July 1975, I took 1st place in the Bluegrass Classic, Under 2000 section, held at Lexington, Kentucky.  I scored 5-0.

In July 1975, I co-directed and played in the Lawrence Pfefferkorn Open (LPO) in Winston-Salem, NC.

In July 1975, I was Vice Chairman of the Southern Chess Association.  Dr. Al Lipkin was its chairman.

In August 1975, I tied for 1st place in the North Carolin Amateur Chess Championship, held in Chapel Hill.

In September 1975, I participated in the Dixie Open, held in Greenville, SC.

From October 1975 to December 1977, I wrote a chess column in the Statesville Record nwspaper.   The chess colum was called Pawn Power.

In Nobember 1975, I played in the Tarheel Classic II, held in Raleigh, NC.

In December 1975, I played Walter Browne in a 35-board simultaneous exhibition in Henderson, NC and lost in 40 moves. The next day I beat him, 6-0, but that was in tennis. 

In 1976 I was President of the Wilkes College and Mitchell College chess clubs and played board 1. 

I won the Wilkes County chess championship in February 1976.   There were 43 players.

In February 1976, I played in the durham Open.

In March 1976, I played in the Sourthern Chess Congress, held in Atlanta.

In May 1976, I won the North Carolina Junior College championship, held in North Wilkesboro, NC.

In July 1976, I played in the World Open in New York.

In September 1976, I was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the North Carolina Chess Association.

In October 1976, I was President of the Mitchell College Chess Club.

In November 1976, I took 1st place in the South Carolina Amateur Chess Championship, held in Columbia, SC.

From 1977 to 1983 I was a delegate to the USCF, representing North Carolina and Ohio.

In March 1977, I played in the Sourhern Chess Congress, held in Atlanta.  

In April 1977, I took 1st place in the Dogwood Open, held in Statesville, NC.

In June 1977, I played in the Carolina Open, held in Greensboro, NC.

In August 1977, I  played in the U.S. Open in Columbus, Ohio and attended all the delegates meetings.  As an aside, I won its putt-putt championship, beating Ed Edmundson in the final round.

In September 1877, I played in the North Carolina chess championship, held in Chapel Hill, NC.

In October 1977, I was president of the Lenoir Rhyne University Chess Club,

In January 1978, I won the Wake Forest University Open, held in Winston-Salem, NC.

From 1978 to 1980, I was co-editor of the Carolina Gambit chess magazine.  It later was part of the Chessman magazine.

In 1978-79, I organized and was President of the Lenoir Rhyne College chess club in Hickory, North Carolina. I graduated with a B.S. degree in Physics and won the college championship.

In September 1978, I was elected President of the North Carolina Chess Association (NCCA).

In March 1979, I played Victor Korchnoi in a 50-board simul in Charlotte, NC and lost in 40 moves.

In September 1979, I joined the Dayton, Ohio Chess Club in October and organized events for the club.

In February 1980, I played two games against Larry Christiansen in a blindfold simul and lost.

 In March 1980, I was the editor of the Dayton Chess Club Review and was the Vice President of the Dayton Chess Club. 

In September 1980 I was elected President of the Ohio Chess Association. For a few days I was President of both the North Carolina Chess Association and the Ohio Chess Association at the same time, a first.

In September 1981, I was Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio Chess Association. 

In December 1981, I was President of the Dayton Chess Club, with over 150 members. I was its president until 1985.

In April 1982, I was co-editor of the Ohio Chess Bulletin. I wrote my first chess book, 300 King's Gambit Miniatures published by Bob Dudley and Chess Enterprises.

In 1982, I was nominated USCF volunteer of the year.

In 1983 I wrote 500 Sicilian Miniatures. I directed tournaments in Dayton and Xenia, Ohio.

In 1984 I wrote 500 French Miniatures.

In 1985 I was Secretary of the Chess Journalists of America. I also wrote 500 Queen's Gambit Miniatures.

In 1985, I was assigned to NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA as a systems and security engineer. I won the Moffett Field NAS chess championship several times and played in several Air Force chess championships.

From 1986 to 1991, I was the President of the Palo Alto Chess Club in Palo Alto, California with about 200 members. In 1986, I wrote Larsen's Opening, Owen's Defense, 500 Ruy Lopez Miniatures and 500 King's Gambit Miniatures.

In 1987 I wrote 500 Italian Miniatures and 500 Sicilian Miniatures II.

In 1988 I wrote Grob's Attack and 500 Queen's Gambit Miniatures II.

In January 1989, I was a chess journalist for the Karpov-Hjartarson World Quarterfinals Chess Championship in Seattle. In February 1989, I drew Eduard Gufeld in a 25-board simul in Palo Alto. In April 1989, I lost to Eugene Torre in a 20-board simul in Palo Alto. In June 1989, I beat International Master John Donaldson in a 20-board simul in Palo Alto. I wrote The Orangutan.

In 1990 I wrote 500 Indian Miniatures and 500 English Miniatures. In October 1990, I was a chess journalist for the Karpov-Kasparov World Chess Championship in New York.

In 1991 I wrote The 1990 World Chess Championship and 500 Caro Kann Miniatures. I was coach and trainer for Jordy Mont-Reynaud and the Bhat brothers at the Palo Alto Chess Club. Jordy and Vinay Bhat became America's youngest masters. I ran the demo boards for Tal, Browne, and others at the San Francisco International.

In 1991, I was assigned to the Air Force Information Warfare Center at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas.

In 1992, I wrote Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted with the help of Ken Smith. I ran for President of the Texas Chess Association and took 2nd place in votes.

In 1993, I wrote Smith-Morra Gambit Declined and 500 Pirc Miniatures.

In 1994, I wrote 500 Alekhine Miniatures.

In 1995, I wrote Dunst Opening and 500 French Miniatures II. I was Vice President of the International Email Chess Club (IECC).

In 1996, I wrote 500 King's Gambit Miniatures II.

From 1995 to 2000, I was the sysop for Microsoft's Internet Gaming Zone (zone.com) and directed the first worldwide Internet chess tournament.

In 1997, I wrote 500 Scotch Miniatures. I participated in a Paragon cable TV show on scholastic chess.

In 1998, I wrote 700 Opening Traps. I was director of the Melbourne, Florida Chess Club.

In 1999, I wrote 500 Blackmar Diemer Gambit Miniatures. I participated in a weekly cyber-radio show on chess.

In 2000, I contributed to several web sites on chess trivia, chess games, and humor.

In 2001, I wrote 500 Center Counter Miniatures and Off The Wall Chess Trivia for ChessCentral.

In 2003, I sponsored the Bobby Fischer display at the World Chess Hall of Fame in Miami and was a charter member of the Hall of Fame.

In 2004 I was chess instructor at Palm Bay, Florida schools. I was a contributor to Black & White, a chess magazine in India, for several years.

In 2005 I was a contributor to www.chessgames.com and wrote 60 chess e-books (DB books) for Gambit Chess.

On May 18, 2007, I became the first member, excluding staff, of chess.com.

In 2008, I wrote Winning with the Krazy Kat and Old Hippo, with Gary Gifford and Davide Rozzoni, published by Lulu Publishing.

From September 2010 to June 2012, I wrote White Knight Review chess e-magazine (http://offthewallchess.weebly.com/white-knight-review.html).

In May 2011, I took 4th place in the 18th Space Coast Open, A Section, Cocoa Beach, FL

In AprilApril 2012, I played in the 19th Space Coast Open, A Section, Cocoa Beach, FL

In October 2012, I wrote chess and the Presidency for the World Chess Hall of Fame

From December 2012 to 2016, I was a contributor to www.chessmaniac.com

In anuary 2013, I wrote Bill Wall's Chess Encyclopedia ebook

In April 2013, I took 2nd place in the 20th Space Coast Open, A Section, Cocoa Beach, FL

In March 2014, the Bill Wall chess page was created by Thomas Katsampes — http://billwall.phpwebhosting.com/

In September 2014, I wrote Chess A to Z ebook

In April 2015, I played in the 22nd Space Coast Open, A Section, Cocoa Beach, FL

In July 2016, I created several YouTube videos on chess traps

In December 2016, I added @billwallchess Twitter account to Bill Wall's Chess Page

In March 2017, I was invited guest and contributor to the opening of a new exhibit (Chess and Comics) at the World Chess Hall of Fame, St Louis

In June 2017, played and recorded my 50,000th chess game

In  2017 and 2018, I donated to the Texas Armed Forces and Military Veterans championship.

In November 2019, I published 700 Opening Traps.

In December 2019, I published Mate in Three.

In January 2020, I published Chess Opening Blunders.

In February 2020, I published Oddities in Chess.

In March 2020, I published 600 Sicilian Miniatures.

In May 2020, I published 600 King's Gambit Miniatures.

In August 2020, I published 600 Queen's Gambit Miniatures.

In October 2020, I published 600 French Miniatures.

On November 6, 2020, I started Bill Wall's Chess Blog at https://billwallchess.blogspot.com/.  

In November 2020, I published 600 English Miniatures.

Bill Wall Chess Timeline

May 11, 1951, born in Raymond, Washington

1961 — learned chess from parents

July 1965, played in a San Francisco Boy Scouts chess tournament

1967-1969 — played on Clover Park High School chess team, Tacoma, Washington

July 1968, 1st place in the Tacoma YMCA Junior Championship

August 1968, 1st place for Red Cross youth gathering at Western Washington State College, Bellingham

September 1968, Secretary-Treasurer of the Clover Park HS chess team

October 1968, played board 2 for Clover Park HS chess team

January 1969, President of the Lakes HS chess club in Tacoma, Washington

February 1969, played board 1 for Lakes HIS chess team

June 1969, joined Tacoma Chess Club; member from 1969 to 1972

July 1969, first chess book purchased, Practical Chess Openings by Fine

August 1969, took 2nd place in Tacoma junior championship; won by Bill Lowrie

September 1969, President of the Northrop Institute of Technology (NIT) chess club

November 1969, joined the United States Chess Federation, ID 10210828

November 1969, participated in the American Open in Santa Monica; rated 1522

December 1969, 1st place in the NIT chess championship

January 1970, 1st place in the Tacoma Chess Club blitz tournament

February 1970, organized the North Augusta-Augusta chess organization

August 1970, 1st place in the North Augusta, SC championship

October 1970, 1st place at the Lackland AFB championship in San Antonio

October 1970, 2nd place in the Air Training Command championship in San Antonio

December 1970, 1st place in the Sheppard AFB championship in Wichita Falls

May 1971, President of the Beale AFB Chess Club near Yuba City, CA

June 1971, 1st place in the Beale AFB championship; 2nd place was 1Lt John Manson

July 1971, 1st place, Beale AFB Summer Open

December 1971, 1st place in the U Tapao Air Base championship in Thailand

February 1972, 1st place in the Kadena Air Base championship in Okinawa

June 1972, chess columnist for Beale AFB newspaper, the Space Sentinel

July 1972, 2nd place in the Beale AFB ch; won by Capt John Manson

August 1972, directed the Beale AFB Summer Open, USCF rated with 10 players; won by Manson

October 1972, winner of the Chess Digest Magazine Kolty caption contest

November 1972, directed the Beale AFB Fall Open, USCF rated with 15 players; Bales, Manson, and Giertych all tied for 1st place

February 1973, 2nd place under 1800 at the CCCA Grand Prix in Berkeley; rated 1580

March 1973, 1st place in the Beale AFB Spring Open

May 1973, 2nd in Beale AFB Championship; won by LtCol Henry Giertych

June 1973, 1st place in the North Augusta, SC, 10-second-a-move championship; 20 players

July 1973, participated in the World Open in New York; won 5 and lost 3; 725 players

July 1973, certified tournament director with the USCF

October 1973, 1st place in the U Tapao, Thailand championship

November 1973, played over 100 games by correspondence

December 1973, 1st place in the Thailand USO championship

February 1974, 1st place at the Tropicana Open in Guam

March 1974, 1st place in the Anderson Air Base championship in Guam

July 1974, inducted into the Thailand USO Hall of Fame for my chess activities

August 1974, 1st place in the U Tapao, Thailand championship

January 1975, chess advisor and trainer at Alexander Central HS in Taylorsville, NC

February 1975, 4th place in the U.S. Booster championship in Los Angeles; 1610 rating

March 1975, participated in the Pewter Cup chess tourney in Hickory, NC

March 1975, participated in the Statesville Open in Statesville, NC

March 1975, participated in the Mimosa Cup in Morganton, NC

April 1975, played in the Dogwood Open in Statesville, NC

April 1975, participated in RAM III in Chapel Hill, NC

May 1975, played in Mimosa Cup II in Morganton, NC

May 1975, played in Dogwood II in Statesville, NC

May 1975, 3rd place in the World Class Championship in Vancouver, BC; 1756 rating

June 1975, 1st place in the Tarheel Classic, Under 2000, in Raleigh, NC

July 1975, participated in the World Open in New York

July 1975, 1st place in the Bluegrass Classic, under 2000, in Lexington, scoring 5-0

July 1975, participated in the LPO Open in Winston-Salem, NC

July 1975, Vice Chairman of the Southern Chess Administration; Dr. Al Lipkin is Chairman

August 1975, tied for 1st in the NC amateur championship, Chapel Hill

September 1975, participated in the Dixie Open, Greenville, SC

October 1975, chess columnist for the Statesville Record and Landmark newspaper, 1975-1977

November 1975, participated in Tarheel Classic II in Raleigh, NC

December 1975, lost to Walter Browne in a 35-board simul in Henderson, NC

January 1976, President of the Wilkes College Chess Club in North Wilkesboro, NC

January 1976, 1st place in the Wilkes County championship; 43 players

February 1976, participated in the Durham Open

March 1976, participated in the Southern Congress in Atlanta

April 1976, 1st place Wilkes College championship, North Wilkesboro, NC

May 1976, 1st place in the NC Junior Colleges championship, North Wilkesboro, NC

June 1976, played in the NC correspondence chess championship

July 1976, participated in the World Open in New York

July 1976, participated in the LPO Open in Winston-Salem

September 1976, played in the NC championship in Winston-Salem

September 1976, Secretary-Treasurer of the North Carolina Chess Association 1976-1978

October 1976, President of the Mitchell College Chess Club

October 1976, 1st place in the Mitchell College championship

November 1976, 1st place in the South Carolina Championship, Under 2000, Columbia SC

March 1977, played in the Southern Chess Congress, Atlanta

April 1977, 1st place in the Dogwood Open, Statesville, NC

June 1977, played in the Carolinas Open in Greensboro, NC

July 1977, 1st place, Barium Springs Open, Barium Springs, NC

July 1977, played in the LPO Open in Winston-Salem NC

August 1977, played in the US Open in Columbus, Ohio

August 1977, USCF delegate representing North Carolina

September 1977, played in the NC championship in Chapel Hill, NC

October 1977, President of the Lenoir Rhyne Chess Club

January 1978, 1st place in the Wake Forest University Open, Winston-Salem, NC

February 1978, co-editor of the Carolina Gambit

March 1978, 1st place in the Lenoir Rhyne University championship, Hickory, NC

July 1978, tournament director of the Lawrence Pfefferkorn Open, Winston-Salem

September 1978, played in the NC championship in Chapel Hill, NC

September 1978, President of the North Carolina Chess Association (NCCA), 1978-1980

December 1978, 1st place in the Statesville, NC championship

January 1979, co-editor of the Chessman chess magazine

March 1979, lost to Viktor Korchnoi in a 50 board simul held in Charlotte, NC

April 1979, 1st place in the Lenoir Rhyne University championship, Hickory, NC

April 1979, played in the ICI Chess Classic, Atlanta

June 1979, 1st place Lackland AFB Ch, San Antonio, Texas

September 1979, joined the Dayton Chess Club

November 1979, 5th place in the Dayton CC championship

December 1979, 1st place Wright-Patterson AFB (WPAFB) championship, Dayton, Ohio

January 1980, 1st place, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) championship, Dayton

February 1980, lost 2 games against Larry Christiansen in simuls in Dayton, Ohio

February 1980, played in the MOTCF team chess tournament, Columbus, Ohio

March 1980, editor of the Dayton Chess Club Review

April 1980, Vice President of the Dayton Chess Club 1980-1981

May 1980, 1st place in the Bauer Memorial, Dayton, Ohio

July 1980, 2nd place in the WPAFB championship; Charles Meidinger took 1st place

September 1980, played in the Ohio Chess Congress in Columbus, Ohio

September 1980, President of the Ohio Chess Association, 1980-1981

November 1980, played in the Region V championship, Dayton, Ohio

December 1980, Board 2 in an Armed Forces Invitational team event, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN

February 1981, played in the MOTCF team chess tournament, Columbus, Ohio

March 1981, played in the Gem City Open, Dayton, Ohio

April 1981, played in the Dayton vs. London Correctional Institute match, London, OH

May 1981, played in the Buckeye Open, Dayton, Ohio

July 1981, 2nd place in the WPAFB ch; won by Capt Charles Meidinger

August 1981, 4th place in the LPO Open, Under 2000, Winston-Salem, NC; rated 1810

August 1981, played in the Insanity Open, Cincinnati; rated 1814

September 1981, played in the Ohio Chess Congress championship

September 1981, Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio Chess Association 1981-1983

October 1981, member of the Chess Journalists of America

October 1981, 2nd place in the AFIT X Tornado; won by LtCol Sal Giannotta; rated 1841

October 1981, directed the Xenia, Ohio Tornado

November 1981, President of the Dayton Chess Club, 1981-1985

February 1982, played in the MOTCF team event; was a member of the team that took top Class A

February 1982, 2nd place in the Wright State Univerisity championship

March 1982, played in the Gem City Open, Dayton, Ohio

April 1982, co-editor of the Ohio Chess Bulletin, 1982-1985

April 1982, 1st place in the Billy Watt Memorial in Statesville, NC; rated 1899

May 1982, played in the Insanity Open in Cincinatti

June 1982, played in a chess tourney in Vandalia, Ohio

July1982, wrote 300 King's Gambit Miniatures

July 1982, directed the 9th LPO Open in Winston-Salem, NC

August 1982, nominated for USCF volunteer of the year

November 1982, awarded the USCF Distinguished Volunteer Award

January 1983, 1st place in the WPAFB championship

February 1983, 1st place, John C. Carroll Open, under 2000, in Cleveland

February 1983, played in the MOTCF team tourney, Columbus

March 1983, directed Xenia Tornado in Xenia, Ohio

April 1983, wrote 500 Sicilian Miniatures

April 1983, played in the Billy Watt Memorial in Statesville, NC

May 1983, USAF team member in Armed Forces event at Fort Knox, KY

May 1983, played in the Buckeye Open in Lima, Ohio

July 1983, 1st place in Granny's Tornado in Xenia, Ohio; rated 1901

September 1983, played in the Ohio Chess Congress in Columbus, OH

October 1983, 1st place Roosevelt Chess Club championship, Dayton, Ohio

November 1983, chess instructor at the Dayton Youth Activities Center and at schools

January 1984, 2nd place at Chu's Swiss in Springfield, Ohio

March 1984, directed the Gem City Open in Dayton, Ohio

May 1984, wrote 500 French Miniatures

August 1984, given a USCF special citation for chess volunteer work

August 1984, 1st place Maxwell AFB championship in Montgomery, Alabama

November 1984, 2nd place in the WPAFB championship; won by Capt Meidinger

April 1985, Secretary of the Chess Journalists of America

June 1985, President Palo alto Chess Club, 1985-1991

July 1985, played in the Santa Clara Open in Santa Clara, CA

July 1985, 3rd place the Central Pacific Armed Forces Chess Ch in Concord, CA; won by R. Gonzales

September 1985, played in LERA tourney in Sunnyvale

October 1985, wrote 500 Queen's Gambit Miniatures

November 1985, 1st place in the NASA Ames chess championship

December 1985, 1st place in the Moffett Field NAS chess championship

January 1986, 1st place at Sunnyvale Air Force Station

March 1986, 1st place in the Monterey Quads, Monterey, CA

April 1986, wrote Larsen's Opening, 1.b3

June 1986, played in the Kolty Chess Club championship, Campbell, CA

July 1986, 1st in the Central Pacific Armed Forces championship, Concord

August 1986, wrote Owen's Defense, 1.e4 b6

September 1986, played in the LERA Open, Sunnyvale, CA

October 1986, wrote 500 Ruy Lopez Miniatures

December 1986, wrote 500 King's Gambit Miniatures

March 1987, 4th in the National Open, Class A, Las Vegas; rated 1950

March 1987, played in the Monterey Quads, Monterey

April 1987, top expert in the San Jose Open, San Jose, CA; rated 2032

April 1987, played in the VOCAL chess tourney, Fremont, CA; rated 2050

May 1987, played in the LERA Open, Sunnyvale

June 1987, 1st place, Moffett Field NAS championship

July 1987, wrote 500 Italian Miniatures

August 1987, 1st in the Central Pacific Armed Forces Ch, Mare Island, CA

September 1987; top expert LERA Open, Sunnyvale; rated 2100

December 1987, wrote 500 Sicilian Miniatures II

January 1988, wrote Grob's Attack, 1.g4

February 1988, wrote History of the Dayton Chess Club, 1957-1987

July 1988, 3rd in the Central Pacific Armed Forces Ch, Skaggs Island, CA; won by F. Anchondo

September 1988, played in the LERA Open, Sunnyvale

October 1988, played in the San Jose Quads, San Jose, CA

November 1988, member of the World Blitz Chess Association; 2100 rated

December 1988, wrote 500 Queen's Gambit Miniatures

January 1989, Chess journalist at the Karpov-Hjartarson finals, Seattle, WA

February 1989, played in the Palo Alto Open

February 1989, drew with GM Eduard Gufeld in a 20-board simul, Palo Alto

March 1989, played in the LERA Open, Sunnyvale, CA

April 1989, lost to Eugenio Torre in a 20-board simul, Palo Alto, CA

June 1989, beat IM John Donaldson in a 20-board simul, Palo Alto, CA

July 1989, wrote The Orangutan, 1.b4

July 1989, 4th in the Central Pacific Armed Forces ch, Concord; won by Zeus Oira

December 1989, top expert in the Palo Alto championship - peak rating at master/2200 (more info)

February 1990, wrote 500 Indian Miniatures

March 1990, top expert LERA Open; rated over 2100 with 2215 performance rating

May 1990, gave a 50 board simul at the Fremont school, in Fremont, CA; won all 50 games

June 1990, 1st place, NASA Ames Research Center championship, Mountain View, CA

July 1990, top expert Palo alto Summer Open; rated 2105

July 1990, qualified to play in the USAF championship at Andrews AFB, MD, but event cancelled

August 1990, 1st in the Central Pacific Armed Forces Ch, Concord, CA

August 1990, played in the Newark Open in Newark, CA

October 1990, chess journalist at the Karpov-Kasparov world ch match, New York

November 1990, TD of World Championship Celebration Open, Palo Alto

November 1990, wrote 500 English Miniatures

December 1990, member of the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club, SF, 1990-1992

February 1991, wrote The 1990 World Chess Championship

March 1991, ran the wallboards at the Pan-Pacific championship, San Francisco

March 1991, 2nd place in Palo Alto Quads; rated 2055

April 1991, 1st place, Onizuka AFB championship, Sunnyvale, CA

May 1991, chess coach and trainer to Jordy Mont-Reynaud, America's youngest master

June 1991, 7th in the U.S. Air Force championship, Andrews AFB, MD; rated 2047

July 1991, 2nd in the Central Pacific Armed Forces Ch, Skaggs Island, CA; won by F. Anchondo

August 1991, wrote 500 Caro Kann Miniatures

September 1991, 1st place at the Kelly AFB championship, San Antonio, TX

November 1991, 2nd place in the San Antonio Fall Open, San Antonio, TX; rated 2032

Jan 1992, President of the Kelly AFB/Lackland AFB Chess Club, 1992 to 1997

March 1992, played in the Pat Gannon Memorial, San Antonio, TX

April 1992, played in the University of Texas at San Antonio Open; rated 2031

July 1992, 8th place in the USAF championship, Andrews AFB, TX

August 1992, co-wrote Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted with Ken Smith

August 1992, ran for President of the Texas Chess Association; took 2nd place in votes

September 1992, played in the 58th Southwest Open, San Antonio

December 1992, 2nd in the Texas Military Championship, San Antonio; won by Joe Spencer

January 1993, co-wrote Smith-Morra Declined with Ken Smith

February 1993, played board 2 in the Texas Team Championship, San Antonio; top Class A team

September 1993, 7th place in the USAF championship, Andrews AFB, TX

October 1993, wrote 500 Pirc Miniatures

October 1993, 1st place Texas Military championship, San Antonio, TX

March 1994, wrote 500 Alekhine Miniatures

June 1994, 7th place in the Texas Armed Forces championship, San Antonio, TX

July 1994, 3rd place in the San Antonio City Championship, Expert Section

January 1995, wrote Dunst Opening, 1.Nc3

Februrary 1995, chess sysop for Microsoft's Internet Gaming Zone (zone.com), 1995-2002

February 1995, directed the first worldwide Internet chess tournament; Microsoft provided 10 prizes

March 1995, Vice-President of the International Email Chess Club (IECC)

July 1995, wrote 500 French Miniatures

November 1995, 10-board simul at St. Mary's University; won 7, lost 1, drew 2

December 1995, wrote 500 King's Gambit Miniatures II

April 1996, 1st place in the www.zone.com championship

November 1996, 1st place in the St. Mary's University championship, San Antonio

January 1997, wrote 500 Scotch Miniatures

January 1998, President of the Melbourne Chess Club, Melbourne, FL

February 1998, wrote 700 Opening Traps

March 1998, created Bill Wall's Chess Page webpage at geocities — archived at http://www.oocities.org/siliconvalley/lab/7378/chess.htm

June 1998, 1st place in the Melbourne Chess Club blitz championship, Melbourne, FL

January 1999, wrote 500 Blackmar Diemer Gambit Miniatures

April 1999, played in the 6th Space Coast Open, Master Section, Satellite Beach, FL

June 1999, 3rd place in the Cocoa Beach Open, Cocoa Beach, FL

April 2000, played in the 7th Space Coast Open, A Section, Melbourne Beach, FL

September 2000, contributor to Unorthodox Chess Newsletter, 2000-2017

December 2000, wrote Off the Wall Chess Trivia ebook

January 2001, wrote 500 Center Counter Miniatures

April 2003, I was a charter member and patron of the World Chess Hall of Fame, Miami, Florida

January 2004, taught chess at Palm Bay schools

February 2004, chess columnist for Black & White, a chess magazine in India

October 2004, became member of www.chessgames.com; have 371 games there (wwall)

December 2005, translated over 100 chess books into pgn ebooks for Gambit Chess

January 2006, Wikipedia entry created for Bill Wall, but deleted in August 2011 (not notable)

May 2007, became the first member , excluding staff, of www.chess.com

January 2008, co-editor of Krazy Kat and Old Hippo with Gary Gifford and Davide Rozzoni

January 2010, contributor of Jerome Gambit games to jeromegambit.blogsport.com (Rick Kennedy)

August 2010, 1st place, www.chess.com Armed Forces Internet championship

September 2010, editor of White Knight Review chess e-magazine, 2010 to June 2012

May 2011, 4th place in the 18th Space Coast Open, A Section, Cocoa Beach, FL

April 2012, played in the 19th Space Coast Open, A Section, Cocoa Beach, FL

October 2012, wrote chess and the Presidency for the World Chess Hall of Fame

December 2012, contributor to www.chessmaniac.com

January 2013, wrote Bill Wall's Chess Encyclopedia ebook

April 2013, 2nd place in the 20th Space Coast Open, A Section, Cocoa Beach, FL

March 2014, Bill Wall chess page created by Thomas Katsampes — http://billwall.phpwebhosting.com/

September 2014, wrote Chess A to Z ebook

April 2015, played in the 22nd Space Coast Open, A Section, Cocoa Beach, FL

July 2016, created several YouTube videos on chess traps

December 2016, added @billwallchess Twitter account to Bill Wall's Chess Page

March 2017, invited guest and contributor to the opening of a new exhibit (Chess and Comics) at the World Chess Hall of Fame, St Louis

June 2017, played and recorded my 50,000th chess game

July 2017, donated to the Texas Armed Forces and Military Veterans championship

2017, author of over 1,000 chess articles

2017, owner of over 8,000 chess books

December 2018, played 55,000 chess games

November 2019, published 700 Opening Traps on Amazon

December 2019, published Mate In Three on Amazon

January 2020, published Chess Opening Blunders

February 2020, published Oddities in Chess

March 2020, published 600 Sicilian Miniatures

April 2020, published 600 King’s Gambit Miniatures

August 2020, published 600 Queen’s Gambit Miniatures

October 2020, published 600 French Miniatures

December 2020, interviewed by SAGE online with GM Larry Kaufman

February 2021, published 500 Orangutan Games

March 2021, published 600 Ruy Lopez Miniatures

April 2021, published 800 Chess Traps

May 2021, published 500 Larsen Games

June 2021, published 500 Owen’s Defense Games

July 2021, published 600 Italian Miniatures

September 2021, published 500 Grob Games

November 2021, published 600 Indian Miniatures

January 2022, published 600 Caro Kann Miniatures

March 2022, published 600 Pirc Miniatures

April 2022, published 300 Queen Sacrifices

August 2022, published 600 Alekhine Miniatures

September 2022, published 600 Vienna Miniatures

September 2022, interviewed on Australian radio about chess

December 2022, published 600 Reti Miniatures

December 31, 2022, played 66,577 games since 1969