Sam Shankland
Title:
Grandmaster
Federation:
USA
Age:
26
Status:
Invited
Bio:
At the age of eighteen, Sam announced his retirement from the world of professional chess; however, having made a prior commitment to play in the 2010 U.S. Junior Closed Championship, he played and managed to win a difficult tournament. The victory earned him an invitation to play in the 2011 U.S. Championship, which proved to be a difficult offer to refuse.
In 2016, the American GM won the Edmonton International as well as Fargenes International. Sam’s strong, sometimes unpredictable play is sure to keep this year’s field on their toes, and the chess fans on edges of their seats.