Al Lawrence
Encyclopedia
Al Lawrence is a chess expert
and author.
Lawrence was originally a school teacher in Nebraska
. He came to work for the United States Chess Federation
in 1981 and in 1988 he was appointed Executive Director
.
During his time in office, Lawrence greatly increased both the membership and the revenues of the USCF
. Membership rose from about 50,000 to 84,000 and annual sales and revenues rose from less than $4 million to more than $6.5 million, which is still a record. Lawrence was especially effective in increasing sales of books and equipment, which he helped grow to over $3.5 million annually.
Lawrence later became Vice President of Excalibur Electronics in Miami. Excalibur also maintains the World Chess Hall of Fame, for which Lawrence serves as volunteer executive director.
Lawrence is the author of 12 books on a variety of nonfiction topics including chess and astronomy
. He is also a World Book Encyclopedia Yearbook contributor. Lawrence won the Chess Journalist of the Year Award in 2000 from the Chess Journalists of America.
Chess expert
Chess expert is a title given by the United States Chess Federation . It is awarded to chess players rated from 2000 to 2199. Players rated above that are masters while players below that are class players. Approximately 400,000 chess players have USCF ratings, of which approximately 4000 are rated...
and author.
Lawrence was originally a school teacher in Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. He came to work for the United States Chess Federation
United States Chess Federation
The United States Chess Federation is a non-profit organization, the governing chess organization within the United States, and one of the federations of the FIDE. The USCF was founded in 1939 from the merger of two regional chess organizations, and grew gradually until 1972, when membership...
in 1981 and in 1988 he was appointed Executive Director
Executive Directors of the United States Chess Federation
Executive Directors of the United States Chess Federation* 1952–1960 Kenneth Harkness* 1960–1961 Frank Brady* 1963–1964 Joe Reinhardt* 1966–1976 Ed Edmondson* 1977–1978 Martin Morrison* part year Richard Meyerson* part year George Cunningham...
.
During his time in office, Lawrence greatly increased both the membership and the revenues of the USCF
United States Chess Federation
The United States Chess Federation is a non-profit organization, the governing chess organization within the United States, and one of the federations of the FIDE. The USCF was founded in 1939 from the merger of two regional chess organizations, and grew gradually until 1972, when membership...
. Membership rose from about 50,000 to 84,000 and annual sales and revenues rose from less than $4 million to more than $6.5 million, which is still a record. Lawrence was especially effective in increasing sales of books and equipment, which he helped grow to over $3.5 million annually.
Lawrence later became Vice President of Excalibur Electronics in Miami. Excalibur also maintains the World Chess Hall of Fame, for which Lawrence serves as volunteer executive director.
Lawrence is the author of 12 books on a variety of nonfiction topics including chess and astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
. He is also a World Book Encyclopedia Yearbook contributor. Lawrence won the Chess Journalist of the Year Award in 2000 from the Chess Journalists of America.
See also
- Presidents of the United States Chess FederationPresidents of the United States Chess FederationThis article lists the Presidents of the United States Chess Federation from its foundation in 1939 to present. The Presidents are elected to three-year terms.-List:* 1939–1942 George Sturgis* 1943–1948 Elbert Wagner, Jr....
- Executive Directors of the United States Chess FederationExecutive Directors of the United States Chess FederationExecutive Directors of the United States Chess Federation* 1952–1960 Kenneth Harkness* 1960–1961 Frank Brady* 1963–1964 Joe Reinhardt* 1966–1976 Ed Edmondson* 1977–1978 Martin Morrison* part year Richard Meyerson* part year George Cunningham...
- Fédération Internationale des ÉchecsFédération Internationale des ÉchecsThe Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national chess federations around the world and acts as the governing body of international chess competition. It is usually referred to as FIDE , its French acronym.FIDE...
(FIDE)