Glenn Umstead, “The Chess Artist” passes away

National Master Glenn Umstead was one of the most dedicated chess enthusiasts on the East Coast. “Supercoach” passed away on October 24, 2024, at his home in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and was laid to rest on November 2nd. Glenn had suffered a stroke in 2022 and was reportedly not feeling well in the weeks leading up to his death. He had been a longtime employee at Caesar’s Entertainment.

His daughter Emerald posted this message on social media.

Greetings Family & Friends,

It’s with heavy sadness to announce the passing of my father Glenn Umstead, on Thursday, October 24th 2024. I am cordially inviting you to his viewing service this Saturday November 2nd at 11am, hosted by Greenidge Funeral Homes in Atlantic City. The address is 301 Absecon Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401. His obituary will be posted soon on their website here: Greenidge Funeral Home Inc | Atlantic City, NJ

If you are unable to attend the viewing this Saturday, please note we are planning a memorial service in a few weeks (more details to come). My Dad loved you all, and I hope to see as many of you at the viewing this Saturday or his memorial service.

Sincerely,

Emerald Umstead

Glenn Darnell Umstead Obituary

In the chess world, he was known on the East Coast but immortalized as the main subject in the 2003 book The Chess Artist by J.C. Hallman. In this book, his adventures are covered in Atlantic City, New York, Moscow, and the mysterious land of Kalmykia. It was a well-written, descriptive thriller that gave the reader an inside look at Glenn’s love and passion for chess.

When Glenn and I arrived in Russia, chess had been on the decline for a decade. I wasn’t sure what we’d find. But I knew what I thought: If chess was a tool of national identity, then Russia had dropped the ball and Kirsan Ilyumnzhinov had snatched it up and run with it to Kalmykia.

~J.C. Hallman in The Chess Artist (pp. 48-49)

CLOCKWISE L-R: Glenn Umstead at HB Global Chess Challenge against Jerome Mitchell; Glenn purchased several copies of Triple Exclam!!! Hanging out in Philadelphia with Peter Pritchett, Peter Moss, Keith Thompson and Tavon Carter; Glenn playing Sophie Morris-Suzuki at the 2016 Millionaire Chess Open in Atlantic City, With Daaim Shabazz, Kamanyala Bior, and Emory Tate at the 2009 World Open. Photos by Daaim Shabazz and Keith Thompson.

Glenn Umstead vs. GM Hannes Stefansson (Iceland)

The following is a trumpet selection from an employee talent show at Caesar’s. The 1979 song “Sailing” is an appropriate tribute.

Video by Glenn Umstead