FM Warren Harper

Warren Harper started playing chess quite late by current chess standards. He was 13 when he first learned the game by playing against his dad, but he didn't play his first rated game until 2004. He credits his high-school chess coach, Sam Palatnik, with much of his success and his sharp rise in rating.

Harper said winning the Denker Invitational in 2007 "was probably the sweetest-tasting victory I've had in a tournament." His 5-0 run at the Cadet Invitational (2007), winning twice with 1.b4 (with the help of some luck) probably ranks second, he said. Other highs include  traveling to Moscow for the "Chess for Peace" match (2006) and Antalya, Turkey for the World Youth (2007).

His favorite chess book is Zurich International Chess Tournament (1953) by David Bronstein, and his favorite player of all time is Garry Kasparov.

"His active, dynamic play and precise technique makes quite an impression on me," said Harper.

Harper currently resides in Sugar Land, Tex., but in the Fall, he will be returning to the University of Arizona in Tucson for his junior year. He said he is a big Houston sports fans and follows the Texans in the National Football League and the Rockets in the National basketball League. He said he also enjoys rooting on the sports teams at the University of Arizona.