Joseph Jurjevich – Hall of Fame Class of 2021

Joe Jurjevich, “the Bay Minette Flash,” is a five-time Alabama State Chess Champion with a chess career spanning nearly fifty years. He is a National Master and one of Alabama’s perennial weekend warriors.

After becoming an Alabama State Co-Champion for the first time in the year 1980, Jurjevich began winning tournaments regularly throughout the state. Some of his notable early successes include ties for first at the 1981 Vulcan Open and the 1982 North Alabama Open; he also tied for first at the Pensacola Beach Opens of 1980, 1981, and 1982.

In the summer of 1985, Jurjevich attained the National Master title after a series of strong performances in the Washington D.C. area. In 1989, he won his second Alabama State Championship—this time with a perfect 6-0 score.

Subsequently, Jurjevich won or shared the state title again in 2002, 2006, and 2008. He has also won or tied for first at other prominent tournaments such as the Chris Bond Memorial (in 2006, 2008, and 2018) and the Queen of Hearts (in 2014).

Jurjevich has a deserved reputation as a dangerous attacker. He is known for his tactical style and his resourcefulness in difficult positions. He excels in sharp 1.e4 openings with White and double-edged defenses like the Benoni with Black; he often confronts his opponents with unpleasant problems—or even deadly traps—right out of the opening. He is also known for being a speed demon: he won the Alabama Speed Chess Championship in 1984, tied for first at the Alabama Quick Chess Championship in 2010, and won the Alabama Blitz Championship in 2020.

 

To see one of Joe’s best games, click here: https://alabamachess.org/magazine/joseph-jurjevich/

Highlights