Ed Edmondson

Former president of the United States Chess Federation

What is Ed Edmondson known for?

Ed Edmondson, born in Rochester, New York, was a noteworthy chess official who served as the President of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) from 1963 to 1966 and held the post of executive director from 1966 to 1975. Aside from his contributions to the chess federation, Edmondson was also a decorated officer in the United States Air Force, where he reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Edmondson played a significant role in the chess career of Bobby Fischer, facilitating his path to becoming the World Chess Champion in 1972. Edmondson's strategy involved asking Pal Benko to yield his spot in the 1970 Interzonal to Fischer, recognizing that Fischer had a greater chance of winning. This maneuver also involved a payment of $2,000 to Benko. In addition to this, Edmondson managed Fischer during the 1970 Interzonal and his victorious 1971 Candidates' matches against Mark Taimanov, Bent Larsen, and Tigran Petrosian.

Edmondson's tireless efforts and dedication to the USCF led to a remarkable expansion of the organization during his tenure. After an impactful life dedicated to chess and military service, Edmondson passed away in Honolulu.

You can find more about Ed Edmondson and his historical chess games at Chessgames.com.

For additional information on his contributions to chess, you may refer to the book "Chess Personalia, A Biobibliography" by Jeremy Gaige, and "Bobby Fischer and His World" by John Donaldson. These sources provide valuable insights into Edmondson's life and his pivotal role in American chess.