A night with GM John Donaldson: Bobby Fischer, books, and Simul

Workshop · Book signing · Simultaneous exhibition

“To understand chess at its deepest, you have to understand Fischer.”

On Friday, May 22nd, the Grand Knights Chess Club hosted one of the most respected figures in American chess: International Master John Donaldson. What unfolded over the evening was something our families won’t soon forget: an intimate workshop, a rare book signing, and a thrilling simultaneous exhibition that put our players face to face with a true chess legend.

The workshop: inside the mind of Bobby Fischer

The evening opened with a captivating workshop centered on IM Donaldson’s extensive research into Bobby Fischer — widely regarded as the greatest chess player of all time. Drawing on decades of study, IM Donaldson walked attendees through Fischer’s unique approach to the game: his relentless preparation, his uncompromising desire for perfection, and the brilliant ideas that still resonate in modern theory.

Players of all levels filled the room with amazing questions, and Donaldson’s answers — rich with personal anecdote and deep chess insight — made for a rare window into chess history.

Book signing

Following the workshop, IM Donaldson graciously signed copies of his books on Fischer. There’s something special about holding a signed copy of a book by someone who has spent a lifetime immersed in the game at the highest level.

The simul

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. Boards were set up around the room, and IM Donaldson moved from game to game in a simultaneous exhibition against Grand Knights members. The energy was electric — hushed concentration, the occasional gasp, and the satisfying click of pieces as a IM Donaldson made his moves.

Competing in a simul against someone of IM Donaldson’s caliber is a rare opportunity, and every player who sat across the board gave it everything they had.

Thank you

A heartfelt thank you to IM John Donaldson for sharing his time, his knowledge, and his passion for chess with our community.

About IM John Donaldson: International Master John Donaldson is one of the most accomplished and multifaceted figures in American chess. Born on September 24, 1958, he was inspired to take up the game by the legendary 1972 World Chess Championship match between Fischer and Spassky, joining the Tacoma Chess Club shortly after. FIDE awarded him the title of International Master in 1983, and he earned two Grandmaster norms during his competitive career. For over 35 years, Donaldson has been a chess professional working as a writer, journalist, coach, and historian of the game. He has served as captain of the U.S. Chess Olympiad team 15 times, leading the squad to gold in 2016, silver in 1990, 2018, and 2024, and bronze on multiple occasions. He also served as Director of the Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club of San Francisco, the nation’s oldest chess club, for twenty years. A prolific author, Donaldson has written over 30 books covering every facet of chess — openings, middlegames, endgames, and history — including celebrated works on Bobby Fischer and other legendary players.

A speaker talking to a seated audience with chess books displayed on a table in the foreground at Grand Knights Chess Academy

Chess books are available as the speaker addresses the audience

A coach holding a microphone standing next to a guest speaker beside a wall-mounted demonstration chessboard at Grand Knights Chess Academy

A coach introduces the guest speaker ahead of the lecture and simultaneous exhibition

A woman holding a microphone introducing a speaker to a seated audience at Grand Knights Chess Academy

A host introduces the guest speaker to the audience before the lecture

John Donaldson standing and speaking to a seated audience with his books displayed on a table at Grand Knights Chess Academy

John Donaldson lectures to the audience with his books on display

Children and adults seated at tables in front of a Grand Knights Chess Academy backdrop during an event

Students and families gather for a Grand Knights Chess Academy event

A speaker gesturing while addressing a seated audience beside a wall-mounted demonstration chessboard and screen at Grand Knights Chess Academy

IM John Donaldson addresses the audience during his pre-simul lecture

A large seated audience listens to a chess lecture with a demonstration board, and a nameplate reading Troy Chabot is visible on a nearby table

A packed audience listens to the pre-simul lecture at Grand Knights Chess Academy

A speaker giving a chess lecture in front of a seated audience with a demonstration board and screen showing a historical photo at Grand Knights Chess Academy

IM John Donaldson gives a lecture before the simultaneous exhibition

Rows of players seated at boards along an L-shaped table setup, waiting for the simultaneous chess exhibition to begin at Grand Knights Chess Academy

Participants wait at their boards as the simultaneous exhibition gets underway

An elevated wide view of a U-shaped arrangement of tables with many players participating in a simultaneous chess exhibition at Grand Knights Chess Academy

A full view of the room during the IM John Donaldson simultaneous exhibition

A smiling man standing with arms crossed behind his chessboard with a nameplate reading Henry Louie at the IM John Donaldson Simul

Henry Louie poses behind his board before the IM John Donaldson simultaneous exhibition

A wide view of a room with several opponents playing against a chess master in a simultaneous exhibition at Grand Knights Chess Academy

A room full of players competes in a simultaneous chess exhibition at Grand Knights Chess Academy

International Master John Donaldson moving a piece during a simultaneous chess exhibition against multiple players at Grand Knights Chess Academy

International Master John Donaldson plays a simultaneous exhibition against several opponents

A young boy playing chess against an adult opponent leaning over the board at Grand Knights Chess Academy

A young student concentrates during a tournament game against an adult opponent

Two adult players facing off at a chessboard while a tournament director adjusts boards in the background at Grand Knights Chess Academy

Adult players concentrate during a rated tournament game at Grand Knights Chess Academy

People handing over cash to purchase chess books, including titles about Bobby Fischer, displayed on a table at Grand Knights Chess Academy

Attendees purchase chess books after the lecture at Grand Knights Chess Academy

Several chess books by John Donaldson including A Legend on the Road, Bobby Fischer and His World, and Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer displayed on a table

A selection of John Donaldson's chess books available at Grand Knights Chess Academy

Copies of the book Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer by John Donaldson displayed on a table at Grand Knights Chess Academy

Copies of John Donaldson's book Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer for sale

Three men standing together in front of a Grand Knights Chess Academy backdrop at a workshop event

Attendees gather for a photo at a Grand Knights Chess Academy event

Three adults standing together in front of a Grand Knights Chess Academy backdrop after a workshop event

Guest speaker poses with Grand Knights Chess Academy staff after a workshop event

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