David Smerdon

Who is David Smerdon?

David Smerdon is an Australian chess grandmaster from Brisbane, Australia. He was educated at the Anglican Church Grammar School and the University of Melbourne.

To qualify for the title of Grandmaster, a player must achieve three Grandmaster norm performances, and a FIDE Elo rating over 2500. Late in 2007, Smerdon achieved his third and final Grandmaster norm. In the July 2009 FIDE rating list his rating passed 2500, so he qualified for the title of Grandmaster. He is the fourth Australian to become a Grandmaster.

Smerdon is currently the second highest ranked player in Australia and one of only three active Australian Grandmasters.

In 2009, he won the Queenstown Chess Classic tournament and the 2009 Oceania Chess Championship with a score of 7½/9. He took part in the Chess World Cup 2009 and was knocked out by Leinier Domínguez in the first round.

In 2010 Smerdon was awarded the General Sir John Monash Award.