03.24.24 Former Maine Chess Association President Michael Dudley has been inducted into the Maine Chess Hall of Fame. Michael has been involved with Maine chess as a player, organizer, director, and policy maker for many years. We are honored to recognize Michael's achievements and his tireless service to the Maine chess community.

Michael Dudley's entry into the Maine chess community came on June 23, 2002, at the Downeast Open in South Portland, Maine, and hasn't stopped since. Over 400 rated events, 105 worked tournaments, and 22 years later, Michael continues to stay involved in Maine's chess scene as a tournament director, organizer, and active correspondence player.

Michael's work as the chess coach at John Bapst Memorial High School spanned eight years. What started as a group of five players desperate to have a chess coach take them to the Maine Scholastic Team Chess Championship in 2015 became one of Maine's most formidable chess teams. During Michael's time as a coach, Bapst notched a co-championship in 2019 (tying with Cheverus). Three national nominees to the US Chess Scholastic Invitationals (Linh Nguyen, Benjamin Mock, and Rachel Norment), two Webber Cup Championships, and a Scholastic Grand Prix title. Michael's organizing of the Bapst Impromptu Swiss series and the Crusader Cup Championships brought him to leadership.

Michael served as President of the Maine Chess Association from May. 2018 to December 2022, leading
MECA through the Covid-19 pandemic. With Michael at the helm, MECA created and built up the Richard's Maine Girls' Chess Championship, the Maine Women's Championship, and a new and improved series of scholastic events backed by the Scholastic Grand Prix. MECA diversified its event offerings by partnering with WGM Sabina Foisor, forging a partnership with artisan woodworker Andrew DeMaris, and strengthening relationships with schools through coordination of the Maine Scholastic Chess Championships. At a time when online chess was catching fire, Maine was able to step onto the international stage, participating in international matches against teams from Norway and Russia. Michael also oversaw the formation of the Morin Memorial Scholarship Fund and Tournament and the maintenance of MECA's financial stability. Organizing and leading a capable, professional board that kept chess in Maine strong before, during, and after the pandemic is what Michael considers his greatest chess accomplishment, along with orienting MECA toward service to the chess community and connection with people of all ages, all over Maine. Michael truly believes Maine is the best place in the world to play chess.

After his tenure as President, Michael stayed active in correspondence chess through the International Correspondence Chess Federation, achieving the Correspondence Chess Expert title in 2022 and his correspondence Master title in 2024. Michael currently plays both webserver and postal events and helps with the Lewison High School chess club when he can.

To view all of the current members of the Maine Chess Hall of Fame, please visit the

If you would like to nominate someone for Maine Chess Hall of Fame induction consideration please contact MECA President J. Paul Ciarrocchi at JPaulC48@gmail.com