23 Facts About Mackenzie Molner

Mackenzie "Mac" Molner was born on August 1,1988 and is an American chess grandmaster and chess instructor.

Chess coach Michael Khodarkovsky helped Molner develop his competitive chess play.

Mackenzie Molner won the Denker Tournament of High School Champions as a sophomore in 2004.

Mackenzie Molner completed his final grandmaster norm in 2013, tying for first in the US Open Chess Championship, held near Madison, Wisconsin that year.

Mackenzie Molner achieved individual and team success throughout his scholastic career, winning a national team championship in 8th grade, and many other strong finishes at the state and national level.

Mackenzie Molner graduated from high school in 2006 and matriculated at New York University.

Mackenzie Molner quickly became known for his unique, wildly aggressive style, earning the FIDE title of International Master while at university.

In 2008 Mackenzie Molner won the New Jersey State Chess Championship for the first time at age 19.

Mackenzie Molner achieved his first grandmaster norm in 2010 and received the title of grandmaster in 2013 soon after tying for first in the 114th United States Open Chess Championship, held in Madison, Wisconsin.

Mackenzie Molner went undefeated and tied for first place along with Joshua Friedel and Julio Sadorra and only lost the title of individual champion to Joshua Friedel in a tiebreak playoff.

Mackenzie Molner won the award for the United States Chess League's most improved player award in 2011 and was featured in several "Games of the Week".

In 2014, Mackenzie Molner was accepted as the 2014 US Championship at-large wildcard.

Mackenzie Molner finished the championship with seven draws and four losses.

In 2017, Mackenzie Molner won the 70th New Jersey State Championship Tournament for the second time.

Mackenzie Molner has earned all his international master and grandmaster norms in the United States.

Mackenzie Molner has played for three teams in the United States Chess League, including:.

Mackenzie Molner co-founded - and currently plays for - the Montclair Sopranos in the PRO Chess League.

Mackenzie Molner has coached in international tournaments such as the World Youth Team held in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.

Mackenzie Molner left Arizona and returned to his hometown, Montclair, New Jersey, in 2015 and remains active in the chess community in the New Jersey and New York City area.

Mackenzie Molner started the GMac Chess Academy and continues to coach and mentor chess enthusiasts.

Mackenzie Molner is active in the West Orange Chess Club.

Mackenzie Molner completed his undergraduate degree, and earned a Bachelor of Arts from New York University in foreign languages, specializing in Romance Languages, specifically Italian and Spanish.

On top of chess, Mackenzie Molner is an avid poker player and has played professionally.