My interest in the history of chess in Vermont began in 2015.

I decided to design a trophy that would be a revolving award and a record of the names of the State’s chess champions. My vision was a trophy fitting the culture of Vermont. 

A company in Southern Vermont, who made cutting boards in the shape of the State, worked with me to create something unique. They helped me select a Vermont hardwood for the vertical structure and a different wood for the base. I added a large chess king ordered from India (advertised as a paperweight). The “Diva Caissa” brass medallion was ordered from an online awards website. The brass plate on the front was to list champions for the years 2014 through 2033. 

What about the champions prior to 2014? My research to find the earlier champions began in earnest in 2017. Ultimately, I discovered all of them from 1930 to the current day (except for 1986, a story I explain in the book). Through this process, I accumulated many interesting stories about the 48 men and 1 woman who are the champions and co-champions whose lives are covered in the book. 

In the car, traveling to and from tournaments, or just talking with friends, I would relate some stories about my life in chess and about the lives of some of the past champions. There seemed to be some interest in these anecdotes, and the concept of book grew from there. The project remained stagnate for several years and the writing of the manuscript did not begin until 2023. My hope is this book will appeal to the chess historian, tournament chess players, and people interested in an aspect of Vermont’s history that heretofore has been unaddressed.