Montclair, NJ, Aug. 16, 2004 -- Chess wiz Mackenzie Molner of Montclair, NJ showed why he is one of the highest-rated high school chess players in the US, winning the prestigious 2004 Denker Tournament of High School Champions. The competition, which took place from Aug. 8 - 14, 2004 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL., featured high school student champions from 43 states and the District of Columbia.

Mackenzie, who recently turned 16 and will be a junior at Montclair High School in the fall, won the NJ Junior Open earlier in the year to qualify. He finished first at this year's Denker with an undefeated score of five points in six rounds. While Mackenzie became a national master at age 15, this was his first national crown. The University of Texas at Dallas awarded the champion with a full scholarship valued at approximately $40,000.

According to Mackenzie's coach, Michael Khodarkovsky who has been working with Mackenzie since he was eight years old, the Denker Championship represents the fruit of years of classical chess studies. Mackenzie has developed a universal style of play which only comes from hard work and dedication to the game of chess. He has shown a remarkable knowledge of openings, creativity in the middle game and impeccable technique in the end game. He is truly a champion of champions and deserving of his conquest," said Khodarkovsky.

Michael Khodarkovsky, a well-known chess coach who has turned out an extraordinary number of champion players, works with promising young chess players throughout the Metro New York area. He has been a long-time close adviser to World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov and currently appointed as head coach of the 2004 US Women's Chess Team, which will represent the United States at the World Chess Olympiad in Spain in October.

Khodarkovsky also serves as Vice President for the Kasparov Chess Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting the study of chess as a cognitive learning tool in curricular classes and after-school programs throughout the US. Mackenzie has been a participant in the Foundation's programs.

About The Denker Tournament

The Denker Tournament of High School Champions is made possible through the generous support of Grandmaster Arnold Denker, winner of the 1944 U.S. Championship and noted chess philanthropist. The Denker fields High School State Champions from across the United States. The Denker is considered among the most prestigious events within scholastic chess and offers scholarships totaling $1,200 awarded to the top four finishers.

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