FM Steven Zierk

  • Status:
    Accepted
  • Age:
    16
  • Residence:
    Bay Area, CA
  • Birthplace:
    United States
  • Rating:
    2428
  • Title:
    FIDE Master
Chess Highlights:
2009 Western States Open, 2008 CalChess Scholastic Champ (K-12), 2001 World Open (U1400), 2007 CalChess Scholastic Champ (K-8), 2001 CalChess Scholastic Champ (K-3)

FM Steven Zierk, 16, lives in Bay Area, Calif., and attends Los Gatos High School. Steven earned the FIDE Master title in 2009, and coming into the tournament ranked fourth by rating, he is a strong contender to make a run at this year's Junior Closed Championship.

Steven won the CalChess Scholastic Championship (K-3) in 2001, 2007 (K-8) and 2008 (K-12). He was also the CalChess Denker Invitational representative in 2008. His first major victory over a titled player came in 2007 when he defeated NM Albert Rich in Silicon Valley. His rating at the time was just 1623. Steven managed to increase his USCF rating by 537 points that year, jumping from 1549 to 2105 USCF, including a 384 point rise in just three months!

Steven's defeated his first International Master, IM Ricardo DeGuzman, in 2008 at the CalChess Labor Day tourney. His best tournament performance to date came in 2009 at the Western States Open. Steven defeated super-GM Loek Van Wely and finished the tournament with a 2700 performance rating.

When he's not studying and playing chess, Steven excels at math, computer programming and Karate with a second-degree black belt.