NM Ernesto Malazarte
National Chess Master Ernesto Malazarte is one of the toughest chess players in Texas. He is a San Antonio Chess Team member and ranked Number 97 for all Texas players (99th Percentile). He is ranked Number 63 for all USA Seniors (97th Percentile). His win percentage for 1,083 games is an impressive 69.9 percent and includes 23 masters’ scalps. Overall, he is ranked in the 98th Percentile for all USA Chess players.
Last month he won the San Antonio City Championship for the third time. His first two such titles came in 2008 and 2012. A selfless volunteer, he often gives others a chance by directing the same City Championship and other tournaments. He also won the San Antonio Chess Club Championship five times (2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014).
During the 1980’s, Chess Master Malazarte won many tournaments in the Philippines. He gave up playing in the late 1980’s but became a junior FIDE Arbiter for the 1992 Olympiad in Manila. When he came to the US in 2007, he took up the game again. Besides his success in San Antonio’s championships, he also won in several big events:
- Twice in the US Class Championship he tied for first in the U2200 section (2008 and 2012).
- He had a top 10 finish in the 2015 Millionaire tournament.
- In 2018 he won the under 2200 section of the World Open.
• Twice in the US Class Championship he tied for first in the U2200 section (2008 and 2012).
• He had a top 10 finish in the 2015 Millionaire tournament.
• In 2018, he won the under 2200 section of the World Open.
For San Antonio’s Clark High School Chess Team, he is much more than a strong chess player. He is their Coach. He teaches, he consoles, he mentors, he uplifts, and he inspires. Under his leadership they won two consecutive league championships.
Chess is in a much better place in San Antonio because of our good friend and chess warrior Ernesto Malazarte.
For his years of chess excellence and selfless devotion to others, it is most appropriate we at Texas Chess Association salute and recognize National Chess Master Ernesto Malazarte as our Player of the Month for August 2019.
