My Life in Chess by longtime CFCC President Larry Storch
We’re proud to announce that longtime CFCC president Larry Storch has authored My Life in Chess, a memoir about his 43-year chess journey in becoming an USCF original Life Master. In the book, he features 121 completely annotated games that help to tell his story. The hardback edition is currently available for pre-order at USCF Sales.
Larry expects to have copies of his new book available for sale at our upcoming 2025 CFCC Autumn Open & Scholastic weekend tournament, September 26-28, 2025 at the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista, 13351 State Road 535, Orlando, Florida 32821
From the preface of My Life in Chess
-By Larry Storch, CFCC President
My Life in Chess, by Larry Storch
“Chess has always been more than just a game to me; it’s a world of rewards and heartaches. I started my chess journey in 1974 at 23 and played continuously until retiring from OTB play in 2017. Over 43 years, I made lasting friendships and rivalries, won countless championships, and led teams to victory in major tournaments.
After thumb surgery in June 2024 kept me home for four months, I finally compiled my experiences into a manuscript. My book details the highs and lows of my chess career and balancing it with family life. I was not a professional player; As an educator, I had papers to grade and children to raise.
My goal in both chess and education was to be the best I could be. I earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership for my job, and worked hard to become a master, then an original Life Master in chess (you might say, I had a double masters degree). I was the Club Champion of the Orlando Chess Club and a five-time champion of the Central Florida Chess Club. How did I do it? Through relentless study and determined play, I forged myself into one of the most feared players in Florida. I also used my experiences to tutor young, talented chess players from Miles Ardaman to Daniel Ludwig. After my playing days were finished, I steered the Central Florida Chess Club as its president to unparalleled success.
Along with the stories of the tournaments I played are 121 completely annotated games. These games are the backbone of my career and contain my thoughts and strategies along with opening secrets I used to defeat my opponents. They show home preparation, creativity, and resilience. The reader will get rewarded with games that carried me forward for 43 years.”
