Pandolfini, Bruce

Bruce Pandolfini (born September 17, 1947) is an American chess author, teacher and coach. A USCF national master, he is often considered to be one of America's most experienced chess teachers. In 1983, Pandolfini was the chess consultant to author Walter Tevis for the novel The Queen's Gambit. Pandolfini returned as consultant for the 2020 Netflix miniseries of the same name. As a coach and trainer, Pandolfini has possibly conducted more chess sessions than anyone in the world. By the summer of 2015 he had given an estimated 25,000 private and group lessons. Pandolfini's list of successful students includes Fabiano Caruana, one of the highest ranked chess players in history; Josh Waitzkin, subject of the film Searching for Bobby Fischer; Rachel Crotto, two-time U.S. Women’s Chess Champion; and Jeff Sarwer, the 1988 Under-10 World Chess Champion and now professional poker player. Other notable players receiving lessons as children from Pandolfini include grandmasters Joel Benjamin, three-time U.S. Chess Champion; and Max Dlugy, 1985 World Junior Chess Champion. On the September 2015 USCF rating list, several of his students continue to be among the nation’s top ranked scholastic players.