Organizing events since 2004, the North American Chess Association has proven to be an important component of the chess community and a leader in securing corporate sponsorship for the organization and its events.

Our Mission

The North American Chess Association provides synergistic opportunities for interaction between the chess community, businesses, sponsors, and private individuals.

Our Vision

The North American Chess Association will provide opportunities for all skill levels and ages to pursue their chess interests. Additionally, it will promote growth and interest between the chess community and private sponsors, both businesses and individuals.

Our Founder, Sevan A. Muradian

Sevan A. Muradian (left) receiving the 2007 US Chess Federation Organizer of the Year award from former USCF President Steven Doyle (right).

Sevan A. Muradian has been involved in organizing chess tournaments since 2004. He has organized events for scholastic players, adults, and professional players, recently spending more time in developing internationally rated and titled players in North America, through his organization, the North American Chess Association.

Mr. Muradian’s first foray into international chess was in April 2005 when he co-organized, along with his friend and USCF National Tournament Director Glenn Panner, their first GM norm tournament. The event was the strongest rated event for the past 20 years in the Chicago area. This event sparked a unique interest in international FIDE title norm tournaments for Mr. Muradian who has organized 25 such tournaments since then. His tournaments have given the opportunity for many chess professionals to earn their titles locally rather than requiring international travel.

Mr. Muradian additionally organized the first women’s match in the US between former US Women’s Champion IM Irina Krush and former Armenian Women’s Champion IM Lilit Mkrtchian. Currently Mr. Muradian is working on the next series of matches to take place in 2011. He is the first organizer to bring a World Chess Championship to the United States in over a decade and also the first one ever to bring a World Chess Championship for the amateur player.

Mr. Muradian is recognized by the World Chess Federation, FIDE, as an International Arbiter and an International Organizer. He was additionally awarded the 2007 USCF Organizer of the Year by the US Chess Federation. He is employed by one of the largest technology organizations globally and is also an 8-year returning lecturer at Northwestern University in Chicago, instructing graduate and undergraduate courses for Computer Information Systems and Medical Informatics students. He holds a BA in Telecommunications and an MS in Information Systems, both from Roosevelt University.

To contact Mr. Muradian please email him at - sevan@nachess.org