He completed his final grandmaster norm in 2013, tying for first in the U.S. Open Chess Championship, held near Madison, Wisconsin that year.
[3] As a sophomore in 2004, he tied for first place in the Denker Tournament of High School Champions with Pietta Garrett (Arizona), going undefeated in the last three rounds.
He quickly became known for his unique, wildly aggressive style, earning the FIDE title of International Master while at university.
[9] Shortly afterward, he received his final grandmaster norm in 2013, gaining 150 rating points since 2013, and being ranked 27th in the United States.
[11] In 2015, he tied for second in the 116th United States Open Chess Championship, held in Phoenix, Arizona, winning in 6 out of the 9 rounds and drawing three times.
In 2015, his pupils in the school program where he taught won 1st place in the State Scholastic Championship in all divisions, from grades K–1 through K–9.