GMSteven Zierk

Steven Zierk grew up in California's Bay Area and learned chess at six. He spent five years away from serious competition before returning in 2007. Three years later he won the World Under-18 Championship with nine and a half points from eleven games, finishing a full point ahead of the field. He then stepped back from chess again to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Zierk graduated in 2015 with a degree in mathematics with computer science. Returning to competition, he completed his grandmaster requirements at the Charlotte Summer GM Invitational in June 2018. He joined Bay Area Chess as a coach that August. Outside his playing and teaching work, his interests include weightlifting and reading.