Eubanks take South Carolina's top chess post!
Keith Eubanks posing with the 2004 State Champion trophy. He shared the top honors with John Curcuru. Photo from scchess.org.

Keith Eubanks posing with the 2004 State Champion trophy. He shared the top honors with John Curcuru. Photo from scchess.org.

Keith Eubanks has recently been selected as the state President of the South Carolina Chess Association. The Columbia resident and 2004 state co-champion becomes the first Black player to hold the top position. Eubanks is perhaps known  for his tournament activity having competed in a number of major tournaments, primarily on the eastern coast. Eubanks' USCF rating has been as high as 2100 and he maintains aspirations of earning a FIDE title.

His post comes with the added responsibility of bringing exposure to a state which has traditionally had limited chess coverage.  The state has been home to a number of strong at different times, but hasn't been able to retain top-level strength.
GM Alex Sherzer once played in the state championship and FM Miles Ardaman spent some years there and made a mark. IM Emory Tate has also spent a short stint there. However, for an enthusiastic chess player, such a modest climate for chess could prove prohibitive for permanent residency. Hopefully, Eubanks will change this trend.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 28 November 2006