FM Carl Boor — Chess Master, Coach & Auctioneer
Carl Boor, a native of Mansfield, Ohio, learned chess from his father, Carl Ray Boor, at the age of four. Carl and his family found in chess not merely a pastime—but a purpose. Despite early adversity, the father and son duo persevered, transforming hardship into focus, resilience, and a lifelong love for the game. Carl showed early promise winning state titles for youth in 1st grade, 4th grade (both Ohio and Florida), and the 8th grade state championship.
By age sixteen, Carl was already teaching chess at a community center in Columbus, balancing his passion for instruction with the excitement of speed chess and competitive play across the nation. At eighteen, he earned the title of National Master, doing so the hard way—in a final-round battle with his mentor and friend, International Master Calvin Blocker.
Throughout his chess journey, Carl had the privilege of learning from and training alongside a remarkable group of mentors, coaches, and fellow competitors, including GM Anatoly Lein, IM Calvin Blocker, GM Enrico Sevillano, GM Bryan Smith, IM Emory Tate, NM Gopal Menon, and Dr. Hans Berliner. Each contributed to his distinctive playing style and personal philosophy on the game.
Playing Accolades
- FIDE Master (2007) | National Master (1998) |
- Three-time Ohio State Champion
- Top 50 Ranked Blitz Player in the United States Chess Federation (USCF)
- 2012 World Open U2400 Co-Champion and Midwest Class Co-Champion, earning over $10,000 in prizes in one month.
- Games and analysis featured in Chess Life, USChess.org, New In Chess Magazine and Chessable.com
- Creator of the original opening, “The Boor Attack”
(1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.f3!)
In 2025, Carl published The Boor Attack, a detailed guide to his original opening system and its attacking themes.
📘 View on Amazon →
Tournament History
Coach Carl has built a distinguished chess career spanning more than three decades, competing successfully against many of the strongest players in the United States and internationally. His tournament record includes victories over Grandmasters and International Masters, multiple open tournament championships, and several major Ohio chess titles.
Major Tournament Achievements
Croatian Peace Open — Eastlake, OH
May 3, 1998
• 1st Place
• Finished ahead of Calvin Blocker
• Earned the National Master (NM) title
Columbus Open 2000
June 25, 2000
• 1st Place (tied) with IM Emory Tate
58th Ohio Chess Congress
August 31 – September 2, 2002
• Ohio Champion
• Tied for 2nd Place overall
• Finished behind GM Alex Goldin
2003 Columbus Open
• 1st Place
Pittsburgh Ope – March 12, 2004
• 1st Place (tied) with:
- GM Alexander Stripunsky
- GM Kachik Kacheishvili
- GM Gregory Kaidanov
- GM Zviad Izoria
NWCC Master Round Robin — Dublin, OH
July 31 – August 1, 2004
• 1st Place
• Finished ahead of IM Calvin Blocker
Cleveland Masters
July 14–15, 2007
• 1st Place
• Finished ahead of IM Calvin Blocker
63rd Ohio Chess Congress
September 2007
• 1st Place (tied) with Heiman (A future GM!)
16th Annual Kings Island Open
November 9, 2007
• 1st Place (tied) with:
- IM Emory Tate
- GM Gregory Kaidanov
Columbus Open
July 11–13, 2008
• 1st Place (tied) with GM Anatoly Lein
2012 Cardinal Open
January 27, 2012
• 1st Place
• Finished ahead of GM Gurevich
40th Annual World Open
July 1, 2012
• Equal 1st Place — U2400 Section (An intense 9 round affair with wins over IM’s Rizzitano and Figler)
5th Annual Chicago Class
July 20, 2012
• 1st Place (tied) with GM Amanov
2013 Cardinal Open
• 2nd Place
• Finished behind GM Diamant
• Ahead of GM Dimitry Gurevich and GM Alexander Shabalov
Ohio Masters Tournament — Dayton, OH
July 25–27, 2014
• 1st Place
2016 Cardinal Open
• 1st Place (tied) with IM Vojinovic
2026 Kings Island Open
• 1st Place (tied) with GM Zhong and GM Semen
• Returned to serious tournament competition after nearly a decade away and immediately achieved a championship result against Grandmaster-level competition
Returning Home & Founding Chess Bus
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Carl returned to Mansfield, Ohio, to raise his family and reconnect with his roots. What began as a return home became a mission—to give back to the community that helped shape him.
In 2025, he founded Chess Bus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to “Making Chess Fun Again.” Alongside a passionate team, including wife Kelly Boor, a strong player and coach in her own right, Carl leads initiatives that bring chess to schools, corporations, senior centers, and underserved communities through pop-up events, tournaments, and educational outreach.
Coaching & Philosophy
With over twenty years of professional experience, Carl has coached more than 10,000 students of all ages and backgrounds — from 3- and 4-year-olds learning how the pawns move, to individuals with cognitive or physical challenges, to busy professionals seeking meaningful improvement in limited time, and even serious students striving to achieve the National Master title.
He and his wife Kelly believes that great coaching blends knowledge, creativity, and confidence-building. His lessons emphasize not only the mastery of chess itself but also the cultivation of discipline, focus, problem-solving, and self-belief — life skills that extend far beyond the chessboard.
Through decades of instruction, Carl has proven that chess can be both a rigorous intellectual pursuit and a joyful, transformative experience for anyone willing to learn.
Carl continues to teach online and in person on a limited basis while seeking ways to bring the mission of Chess Bus to fulfillment. What began as a way to overcome hardship became a lifelong journey of focus, resilience, and connection. Today, that same spirit drives Chess Bus to bring the benefits of chess to every corner of the community.
Beyond Chess
Carl holds a B.A. in English and Psychology from The Ohio State University. In addition to his work in chess, he is a licensed Auctioneer in the State of Ohio, operating through
🏠 www.MidOhioEstateSolutions.com