Emory Andrew Tate Jr. was more than just a chess player. He was a trailblazer, a fierce competitor, and an unforgettable personality. Although he never quite reached the game‘s highest title of grandmaster, Tate left an indelible mark on the chess world through his unique playing style, his uncompromising spirit, and his lifelong passion for the game.
In this comprehensive biography, we‘ll take a deep dive into the life and career of Emory Tate, from his early days as a prodigy in Chicago to his untimely death during a tournament in 2015. Along the way, you‘ll hear from those who knew Tate best and gain a better understanding of his lasting impact on the sport of chess.
The Early Years: A Young Talent Emerges
Emory Tate was born on December 27, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois, the second of five children born to Emory Sr. and his wife Georgia. Tate‘s father, a lawyer and avid chess player himself, taught all of his children how to play the game from a young age. But it was clear from the start that Emory Jr. had a special gift.
At just 4 years old, Tate learned the rules of chess and began playing regularly with his father and older brother. By 5, he was already winning tournaments against kids twice his age. Tate‘s parents recognized his talent and did everything they could to nurture it, taking him to chess clubs and tournaments across the Midwest.
In a 1987 interview with Sports Illustrated, Tate reflected on his early passion for the game: "Chess was like a drug for me. I couldn‘t get enough of it. I‘d play for hours and hours, studying books and magazines, just trying to get better."
Tate‘s hard work paid off in a big way when, at age 13, he defeated his father for the first time. It was a defining moment for the young prodigy, one that convinced him he had what it took to compete with the best players in the world.
After graduating from Concordia High School in 1976, Tate enrolled at Northwestern University to study pre-medicine. But he never lost his love for chess. In fact, it was during his college years that he scored one of his most impressive victories, defeating former U.S. chess champion Arthur Bisguier in a tournament game.
Making a Name in the Air Force
In 1979, at the age of 21, Tate joined the United States Air Force. It turned out to be a pivotal decision, one that would shape the course of his chess career for the next decade.
As a member of the Air Force chess team, Tate had the opportunity to travel the world and compete against some of the strongest players of his generation. He quickly established himself as a dominant force, winning the U.S. Armed Forces Chess Championship an incredible five times between 1983 and 1989.
But Tate‘s success in the military chess scene was just the beginning. In 1988, he earned his first international master (IM) norm at the prestigious New York Open. It was a major milestone for Tate, one that put him on the path to becoming one of the highest-rated African American players in history.
However, Tate‘s journey to the IM title would be a long and winding one. Due to the fact that he primarily competed in tournaments where norms could not be earned, it would take him nearly 20 years to officially reach the rank of IM. Nonetheless, his peak rating of 2499 (achieved in 1997) and his numerous wins over grandmasters left no doubt about his immense talent and skill.
Tate‘s Playing Style: Aggression and Creativity
So what exactly made Emory Tate such a formidable opponent? To understand his approach to chess, it helps to look at some of his most famous games and the tactics he employed.
Consider, for example, his win over Bulgarian grandmaster Kiril Georgiev at the 1988 New York Open. Playing with the black pieces, Tate unleashed a stunning queen sacrifice on move 17 to expose Georgiev‘s king:
[Event "New York Open"]
[Date "1988.??.??"]
[White "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Black "Tate, Emory"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7
8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. f4 exf4 11. Rxf4 Nc6 12. Kh1 Rc8 13. a4 Re8
14. Bf3 Nb4 15. Qe1 Bc4 16. Rd1 Bxb3 17. Qh4 Qxh4 18. Bxh4 Bxc2 19. Rc1 Ba4
20. b3 Bb5 21. Nxb5 axb5 22. Bd5 Rcd8 23. Rf1 Nfd7 24. Rc6 f6 25. Rd1 Kf8
26. Bg6 Re5 27. Bf4 Re8 28. Bh5 g6 29. Rc7 gxh5 30. Rxd7 Rxd7 31. Bxd7 Ke7
32. Bc6 Kd8 33. Rf1 Bg5 34. Be8 Re7 35. Bc6 Re1+ 36. Rxe1 Bxe1 37. Be4 Bh4
38. Bf3 Bg5 39. Bxb7 Bxc1 40. a5 Bxe3 41. a6 Ke7 0-1As you can see from the notation, Tate‘s 17…Qxh4 sacrifice was a bold move that caught Georgiev completely off guard. By giving up his queen, Tate was able to destroy White‘s kingside pawn structure and open up lines for his rooks and bishops. The ensuing complications were too much for Georgiev to handle, and Tate went on to win the game in convincing fashion.
This kind of creative, aggressive play was a hallmark of Tate‘s style. He relished positions where he could outplay his opponents tactically, even if it meant taking calculated risks. In a chess world often dominated by cautious, positional play, Tate‘s uncompromising approach made him a fan favorite and a true original.
The Man Behind the Chessboard
Of course, there was much more to Emory Tate than just his chess moves. Those who knew him best remember him as a larger-than-life personality with a sharp wit, a competitive spirit, and an unshakable confidence in his abilities.
"Emory was one of a kind," said grandmaster Maurice Ashley, a longtime friend of Tate‘s. "He had this incredible energy about him, both on and off the chessboard. He loved to talk trash and get under his opponents‘ skin. But at the same time, he had a real warmth and generosity of spirit. He would do anything for the people he cared about."
Indeed, despite his bravado, Tate was deeply devoted to his family and friends. He was especially close with his three children – Janine, Tristan, and Andrew – all of whom he taught to play chess at a young age. Andrew, who would go on to achieve fame as a kickboxer and controversial internet personality, has spoken at length about the profound impact his father had on his life.
"My dad taught me so much, not just about chess but about how to be a man," Andrew said in a 2022 interview. "He always told me, ‘Don‘t be afraid to take risks in life. If you want to achieve something great, you‘ve got to be willing to put it all on the line.‘ That‘s a lesson I‘ve tried to carry with me in everything I do."
An Unexpected Ending
Tragically, Emory Tate‘s life and career were cut short on October 17, 2015, when he collapsed and died of a sudden cardiac arrest during a tournament in Milpitas, California. He was just 56 years old.
The news of Tate‘s passing sent shockwaves through the chess community. Grandmasters, students, and fans from all over the world paid tribute to him, sharing stories and memories of a man who had touched so many lives.
"Emory was a true original, both as a chess player and as a human being," said grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura. "His creativity and fighting spirit were an inspiration to so many of us. He will be deeply missed."
In the years since his death, Tate‘s legacy has only continued to grow. His games and teachings continue to be studied and admired by players of all levels. And his impact on the African American chess community, in particular, cannot be overstated.
"Emory Tate was a trailblazer," said Daaim Shabazz, a professor and chess journalist who has written extensively about the history of black chess players. "He showed that a kid from the South Side of Chicago could make it to the highest levels of the game through hard work and determination. He opened doors for generations of black players who came after him."
A Lasting Legacy
So what can we learn from the remarkable life and career of Emory Tate? Perhaps the biggest lesson is the importance of pursuing your passions with everything you‘ve got, no matter how many obstacles stand in your way.
Tate faced plenty of challenges over the course of his life, from growing up in a segregated Chicago to navigating the cutthroat world of competitive chess. But he never let those challenges define him or hold him back. Instead, he used them as fuel to push himself harder, to become the best player and the best person he could be.
In the end, that unwavering spirit is what made Emory Tate such an inspiration to so many. Whether he was sacrificing his queen to win a tournament game or taking the time to teach his children the finer points of chess strategy, Tate approached everything he did with passion, integrity, and a fierce commitment to excellence.
As we look back on his life and career, let us remember Emory Tate not just as a great chess player, but as a great man who left an indelible mark on all those who knew him. And let us strive to emulate his example in our own lives, on and off the chessboard.
"Emory Tate was one of the most fascinating people I‘ve ever met. His chess was wild and wonderful, just like the man himself. But what I‘ll remember most about Emory is his incredible generosity of spirit. He had a way of making everyone around him feel special and loved. That‘s a rare gift, and it‘s one that will live on through all of us who were lucky enough to know him."
- GM Maurice Ashley