He was coached by Larry Kaufman, and surpassed his older brother David, who was also competing in scholastic events.
[4] Kaufman stated that Fernandez was one of his students who earned the International Master title.
He began coaching students in Houston after becoming the youngest winner of the Florida State Championship at age 16.
Fernandez was a member of the University of Texas at Brownsville's chess team, where he studied economics and finance.
[5] In 2008, he suggested for program director Russell Harwood to give Axel Bachmann (then an International Master) a scholarship and a move to the United States.