Robert Michael Snyder

Robert Michael Snyder (born May 4, 1954[1]) is an American author. He is best known for authoring the Chess For Juniors children's book series. He has published multiple books and games including Chess for Everyone and Unbeatable Chess Lessons.[2] He founded the Chess for Juniors club and boasted it was the largest of its kind in the country, and that he trained 36 national chess champions, and holds a world record for having introduced chess to more than 170,000 students.[3] He is considered to be a national and world renowned master chess player with wins both in the US and international tournaments.[4][5][6][7] Several of his students have excelled under his tutelage with results including contention for world and US national chess titles.[8]

Snyder has an Elo rating of 2306 with the United States Chess Federation, but has not played in tournaments since 1990.[9]

Personal life

Snyder has been arrested and convicted for multiple sexual assaults involving children dating back to 1983.[10] He was featured on America's Most Wanted after fleeing Colorado while still on supervised probation in 2008.[11] He was found in Belize, and on March 30, 2010 after pleading guilty was given an open (up to life) sentence.[12]

References

  1. ^ fcgov.com Accessed 2010-01-29.
  2. ^ LOEB MCCLAIN, DYLAN (December 5, 2009). "Fugitive Chess Teacher Is Reportedly Caught". The New York Times Chess Blog. http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/05/fugitive-chess-teacher-is-reportedly-caught/#more-2025. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 
  3. ^ LOAR, RUSS (Jun 9, 1997). "Chairman of the Board; Chess Champ Finds Niche Sharing Mastery of Game With Young Enthusiasts". LA Times. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/12454398.html?dids=12454398:12454398&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:FT&type=current&date=Jun+09%2C+1997&author=RUSS+LOAR&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Chairman+of+the+Board%3B+Chess+Champ+Finds+Niche+Sharing+Mastery+of+Game+With+Young+Enthusiasts&pqatl=google. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 
  4. ^ McGRAW, CAROL (October 19, 2004). "Fort Collins chess master, advocate has all the right moves Snyder will conduct workshop in Springs". The Gazette. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-2762101.html. Retrieved 7 February 2010. 
  5. ^ Taylor, Nate. "Ex-chess master pleads guilty". Coloradoan. http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20100130/NEWS01/1300341/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02. Retrieved 7 February 2010. 
  6. ^ TAWA, RENEE (Oct 15, 1995). "With Help, He's Making a Move on a World Title; Chess: U.S. champion Harry Akopyan gets the chance, thanks to his Huntington Beach club and an Irvine sponsor.". LA Times. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/21571097.html?dids=21571097:21571097&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+15%2C+1995&author=RENEE+TAWA&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=With+Help%2C+He%27s+Making+a+Move+on+a+World+Title%3B+Chess%3A+U.S.+champion+Harry+Akopyan+gets+the+chance%2C+thanks+to+his+Huntington+Beach+club+and+an+Irvine+sponsor.&pqatl=google. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 
  7. ^ SUSAN, PATERNO (Jan 20, 1994). "He's Beginning His Own Search for Bobby Fischer". LA Times. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/59290327.html?dids=59290327:59290327&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+20%2C+1994&author=SUSAN+PATERNO&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=He%27s+Beginning+His+Own+Search+for+Bobby+Fischer&pqatl=google. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 
  8. ^ DAHLEEN GLANTON, A. (Apr 9, 1988). "Boy, 11, Moves to Record Book". LA Times. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/59786513.html?dids=59786513:59786513&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+09%2C+1988&author=A.+DAHLEEN+GLANTON&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Boy%2C+11%2C+Moves+to+Record+Book&pqatl=google. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 
  9. ^ Player/Rating Lookup.
  10. ^ "Police: More Victims Possible In Chess Master Case". ABC Denver News. September 15, 2005. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/4978198/detail.html. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 
  11. ^ Huffington Post. Accessed 2010-01-29.
  12. ^ Whaley, Monte (March 30, 2010). "Chess master sentenced for sex assault of children". The Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/crime/ci_14786670?. Retrieved 30 March 2010.