Robert Tanner

Although a National Master (currently rated as an expert), Robert’s primary focus has been in the areas of chess organization and tournament directing. He became a Senior Tournament Director in 1975 (at age 18), a national tournament director in 1987 and an International Arbiter in 1990. In addition to directing over 50 national title events, including five US Championships, he has served as a member of the USCF and FIDE Rules Committees. He was a contributor to the current Official Rules of Chess. Internationally he has directed World Championship Interzonals, Futurities and at the World Chess Olympiad, in addition to other events.

Administratively he has held the offices of US Chess Federation Secretary and FIDE (World Chess Federation) Zonal President.

Although by training and education an accountant and business manager, he has been a full time chess professional since 1996. From 1999 to 2004 he was the Coordinator of the Gilbert Public Schools Chess Program. At that time Gilbert was the only major school district in the nation to mandate a chess program in all schools from grades K through 12. Currently he teaches chess at Edu-Prize Charter School and several other programs throughout Maricopa County. His teams (Elementary and Jr. High School) have placed highly several times in both state and national competitions. A sought out instructor, he has taught continuously since 1992 for Castle Chess Camps (in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Georgia) as well as camps in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Illinois and Utah.

Additionally he has written articles on Women’s and Scholastic chess for various magazines and journals. As a hobby he collects chess books (over 3,000), chess art and chess memorabilia.

Robert lives in Mesa, Arizona, is married to USCF Senior Tournament Director Elizabeth Tanner, and has three children.