GM Arnold Denker (February 20, 1914 – January 2, 2005) was an American chess player, Grandmaster, and a chess writer, but he will forever be remembered for his passion for promoting chess for students. He was an important chess organizer, serving on the Board of Chess-in-the-Schools, the United States Chess Federation, the U.S. Chess Trust, and the driving force behind the prestigious GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions.
“The Denker”, as it’s become known, is an annual event held in conjunction with the U.S. Open, in which the 51 high school champions of each state affiliate and the District of Columbia compete to determine who will be crowned the Denker Champion of Champions.