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Larry Christiansen at the 2002 U.S. Chess Championships in Seattle, Washington
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| Full name | Larry Christiansen |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Born | June 27, 1956 Riverside, CA |
| Title | Grandmaster |
Larry M. Christiansen (born June 27, 1956) is a chess Grandmaster who grew up in Riverside, California, United States, and was the U.S. champion in 1980, 1983, and 2002.
Christiansen showed exceptional strength at an early age. In 1971, he became the first junior high school student to win the National High School Championship. He went on to win three invitational U.S. Junior Championships in 1973, 1974, and 1975. In 1977, at age 21, he became a Grandmaster without first having been an International Master, an accomplishment shared by only a handful of others. Christiansen tied for first place with Anatoly Karpov at Linares 1981. He won the 2001 Canadian Open Chess Championship. He also won Curaçao 2008 and the Bermuda Open 2011.
Christiansen played on the United States Olympiad teams of 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996 and 2002.
Christiansen describes his playing style as "aggressive-tactical" and he lists his favorite opening as the Sämisch King's Indian. He is the author of two popular chess books that showcase his aggressive style: Storming the Barricades (2000) and Rocking the Ramparts (2004).
Christiansen is also renowned for his quick wit and humor, as well as his enthusiasm for teaching students. He is also one of the most prolific internet chess players, having played tens of thousands of games online on ICC (Internet Chess Club).