StarJock
Rich Van Riper
Phoenix, Arizona, United States 
Member Since: Oct 10, 2007
Last Login: Jun 27, 2008
Profile Views: 192
Points: 16
Birthday: Jul 14, 1940
Occupation: Retired AeroSpace Engineer
USCF Rating: 980
About Me:
I am a retired Aerospace Engineer living in Phoenix, Arizona for the last 38 years. My wife and I celebrated our 45th. wedding anniversary in June; we have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Besides chess my hobbies are violin playing, reading books about history and current events, and following college and pro football and major league baseball.
My Chess Style / Favorite Openings:
Since retiring in 1989, I have become obsessed with the challenge and joy of Chess. For the last 10 years I have volunteered as a chess coach at a middle and a high school in Phoenix. It's great to see children start at 6th. grade who have never played and then progress for 6 years into a well skilled chess player upon high school graduation!
I also play chess online and in over-the-board, USCF rated tournaments (although not very well). I am a USCF certified tournament director.
To attempt to improve I have been taking chess lessons the last 2.5 years, via internet, from Yelena Dembo who lives in Greece and is among the top-rated women players in the world.(She is also a member of this website).