FM PETER GIANNATOS

Peter Giannatos grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, before moving to Charlotte in 2001. He attended James Martin Middle School and Vance High School before attending the Belk College of Business at UNC-Charlotte.

Peter learned how to play chess at the age of 7, but did not compete in his first tournament until he was 13. In 2004, he competed in his first tournament, achieving a USCF rating of 589. With hard work and dedication, Peter achieved the expert rating (2000+ USCF) in 2008. Peter teaches students the same techniques he used to rapidly improve.

Peter earned his FIDE Master (FM) title (2300+ FIDE) in February of 2017. Peter is also a US Chess National Master (NM), US Chess National Tournament Director (NTD), FIDE International Arbiter (IA), and FIDE International Organizer (IO).

In the Spring of 2021, he published his first chess book, "Everyone's First Chess Workbook" published by New In Chess and Chessable. 

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Peter has been featured on several chess podcasts:

• Perpetual Chess Ep. 201 - Building a Successful Chess Club

• Perpetual Chess Ep. 241 - Improving as an Adult

• How To Chess Ep. 18 - Adapting to Play

• The Chess Experience Ep. 15 - Common Mistakes by Improvers

• Chess Journeys Ep. 80 - Balancing Goals

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Peter and the story of the CCC was featured as the cover story of UNC-Charlotte Magazine, Fall 2022. 

Peter spends most of his time at the CCC planning and organizing events/programs. His main focus and philosophy has always been to bring chess to a the level of other professional sports/games. Peter has been teaching and organizing chess for more than 10 years.

Peter has a Bachelors of Science in Economics from the University of North Carolina - Charlotte.