Auburn High School Chess Coach: Master for a Weekend

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. John Maxwell

Joseph Guth, Auburn High School head chess coach, did exactly that a couple of weeks ago! Coach Guth competed in the 2022 U.S. Senior Open chess tournament July 22-24 at Elmhurst University.

Coach Guth shared on Facebook and in an email update from Ken-Rock Community Center, where he is the Executive Director: 

“As usual, I was a little nervous at the beginning. Round one, I had White and played a guy from Davenport, Iowa. He was seriously outmatched. I played a d4 Torre Attack. 1-0. That is the danger of playing in a large open event. 

Round two, I played an Expert (2100) from Atlanta. Against his e4, I played a Sicilian Dragon with the Black pieces. We were both tired and agreed to a draw where I had a slight advantage. 1-0-1. 
Round three, I played, as Black, a Fide Master (2200) from Illinois. My defense was a Slav against his d4. We ended up exchanging down to minor pieces. And again, I had a slight advantage where we agreed to a draw. 1-0-2. 

Round four, I took a half-point bye and met my family and my son-in-law’s family at a Chicago Dogs baseball game. 

Round five, I played an area Candidate Master (2076) and won the game in 78 moves. 2-0-2. He played a French Defense with the Black pieces against my e4 using a unique move that I had only seen once before. 

Round six was the last round. I again had the Black pieces and played a Classical Sicilian Defense against his e4. This Master (2200) had me tied up for a while. I forced him to make a move that created a weakness which in turn forced the position open. This player has won the South Dakota State Championship eight times. We drew this game. 2-0-3. 
Against two masters and two Experts (one a Candidate Master), I did not lose a game and scored a win and three draws. My performance rating against the four best players was 2244, Master (for a weekend). After looking at the standings, I found that I finished 10th. In Class A, I tied for first. I also tied for first in the 60-64 age bracket.”

Coach Guth is a great chess player, but he’s an even better coach! He truly has an enthusiasm for teaching and growing the game. We are so fortunate to have him on our staff, helping our students not only become better chess players, but also better individuals. 

Coach Guth has been coaching and leading the Knights chess team since 2017. He led the Knights to an IHSA Sectional title in 2018 and three straight state tournament appearances.

Coach Joseph Guth: A leader who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way!

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Brad Pemberton

Brad Pemberton is the Auburn High School athletic director.