Sam Shankland's Biography

Sam Shankland is an American chess Grandmaster renowned for his strategic prowess and impressive achievements on the international stage. Born on October 1, 1991, in California, Shankland began playing chess at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks of U.S. chess. He is best known for winning the 2018 U.S. Chess Championship, where he outperformed top American players including Fabiano Caruana and Wesley So. Shankland has also been instrumental in the U.S. national team's success, contributing to their gold medal run at the 2016 Chess Olympiad and earning individual gold medals for his board performances. Beyond his competitive career, Shankland is a respected chess coach, author, and commentator, producing popular training courses and sharing his insights across social media platforms. He graduated from Brandeis University and is admired for his analytical approach and dedication to chess theory. With an estimated net worth of $600,000 in 2024, Shankland continues to be a leading figure in American chess, inspiring a new generation of players with his passion, discipline, and memorable games.