As an International Chess Federation (FIDE) Candidate Master and National Master, he has been selected as the official representative of New Jersey for the prestigious 9th Annual GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions.
Lee’s journey to this esteemed position began on May 21, when he emerged victorious in the North Qualifier held at the International Chess Academy (ICA). Following this triumph, on June 4, he faced off against William Cige, the winner of the South Qualifier, in a thrilling two-game encounter at the Bergen County Academies. Demonstrating his exceptional skills, Lee emerged triumphant in both games, securing his place as the New Jersey representative for the Denker Tournament.
The Denker Tournament is an annual invitational event organized by U.S. Chess, wherein high school students from each state, grades 9-12, compete against one another. Since its inception in 1985, this tournament has been instrumental in determining the Denker National Champion.
Highlighting the significance of this event, Grandmaster Arnold Denker, after whom the tournament is named, expressed, “The invitational is intended to honor and recognize the finest chess player in each state.” The tournament champion will earn qualification for the highly prestigious U.S. Junior Championship and the World Youth Championship, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. In case of any ties, tiebreakers will determine tournament-qualification prizes rather than a playoff.
Scheduled to take place from Saturday, July 29, to Tuesday, August 1, the Denker Tournament will be held at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, MI. The tournament presents an exciting opportunity for representatives from all 50 states to compete for cash prizes and showcase their skills on the grand stage.
Justin Lee’s exceptional talent has earned him an impressive ranking of 9th among 17-year-old chess players in the United States. His accomplishments and dedication to the game have positioned him as a formidable contender in the upcoming Denker Tournament.
