Has hosted the Michigan Elementary Team Championships at Cass Tech in 2020 and 2022 with future events planned for the foreseeable future!
CHESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS - COACHED CHESS AT SEVERAL DETROIT AREA SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS
- Duffield Elementary & Middle
- Cornerstone Redford
- Washington-Parks Academy
- Eagle Creek Academy
- Chrysler Elementary
- University Prep Science & Math
- Sampson-Webber
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Detroit Skillman Library
- Coleman A. Young Rec Center
- Youthville
FACTS ABOUT COACH FITE
- Founder of the Detroit City Chess Club (detroitchess.com) in 2003 which is one of the largest chess clubs in the country
- Coached over 20 city titles (Elementary and Middle Schools)
- Coached over 20 State Championships Duffield, Cornerstone Redford, Washington-Parks, Eagle Creek Academy, Chrysler Elementary, Sampson-Webber, University Prep Science & Math,
- Coached 13 National titles at various USCF tournaments (Duffield, Cornerstone Redford, Washington-Parks, Chrysler Elementary, University Prep Science & Math)
- Started the Thinkers Chess tournament series for 10 years (5 to 6 tournament per year prior to the pandemic)
- Brought the International Renaissance Chess tournament to Detroit in 2015
- Brought in Grandmasters and Masters to do Simuls, lectures, summer camps or game analysis at the final Thinkers tournament: GM Alexander Lenderman, GM Hikaru Nakamura, GM Irina Krush, GM Sergey Kudrin, GM Maurice Ashley, GM Gregory Kaidanov, GM Manual Leon-Hoyos, WGM Alexandria Kosteniuk, WGM Martha Fierro, NM The late Dr. David Allen, Dr. Daaim Shabazz, NM Justus Williams (from the Brooklyn Castles documentary)
- Brought in local favorites: GM Ben Finegold, IM Atulya Shetty, NM John Brooks, NM James Canty
- Started the Detroit City Chess Club Harold Steen Hall of Fame Awards (Past awardees include NM
- John Brooks, Karen Clingman, Dr. Ed Mandell, Glenn Smith, Malcolm Lewis, Robert Taliaferro
- In 2012, started the annual Detroit All-City Chess Team awards honoring the best K-12 chess players in the city with beautiful awards
COACH FITE COMMUNITY AWARDS AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION
- Dr. Martin Luther King Legacy Award, 2018
- Spirit of Detroit Award, Detroit City Council, 2005, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
- Scholastic Service Award, United States Chess Federation, 2016 Special Tribute Award,
- Michigan Legislature in Lansing, 2006 & 2014
- ARISE Detroit Award for community service, 2014
- Men of Excellence Award, Michigan Chronicle 2012
- Black History Month Award, WJLB 97.9 & WMXD 92.3 in 2012
- Adult Achievers Award (for community service), YMCA, 2010
- Governor Service Award (Exemplary Category), 2007
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