Emory Andrew Tate Jr. not only left a mark on the 64 squares but also as the father of the social media personality Andrew Tate. Here’s a glimpse into the life of Emory Tate, the American International Master of chess and father to Andrew and Tristan Tate.
His Humble Beginnings
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 27, 1958, Emory grew up in a large family of nine siblings. His father, Emory Andrew Tate Sr., practiced law, while his mother, Emma Cox Tate, ventured into the truck-leasing business realm. It was Emory’s father who taught him how to play chess, but he soon surpassed his father with his skills.
Beyond the chessboard, Emory Tate had an interest in linguistics. After learning Spanish during an exchange program in Mexico, he further studied at the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Language, Spanish Division, in 1975. This skill proved valuable during his tenure as a sergeant in the United States Air Force.
Conquering the Chess World
With the highest FIDE rating of 2413 in October 2006, Emory was ranked the 72nd highest player in the United States, positioning him among the global top 2000 active players. He also had a peak USCF rating of 2508 in 1996.
He claimed victory in approximately 80 tournament games against grandmasters. Moreover, Emory’s trophy cabinet boasts five United States Armed Forces Chess Championships and six Indiana state championships. In 2010, he added another feather to his cap by winning the Alabama state championship.
Emory’s influence wasn’t confined to the competitive arena. In 1993, he shared his knowledge by teaching chess to elementary students in Goshen, Indiana.
Emory’s Family and Legacy
In 1985, Emory got married to an English woman, and they had three children, including the social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate. However, the couple parted ways in 1997.
Andrew, who has transitioned from a professional kickboxing career to social media stardom, often reminisces about his father’s chess talent. Recalling personal experiences, he shared tales of Emory’s strategic influence on him and their bonding moments over chess games:
“My dad taught me everything. Absolutely everything. And my fighting style in the ring mimics his on the board. When I was first learning to kickbox, he would get mad at me for having my hands up. He would say I’m not a turtle, and I have nothing to hide from. We focused on offense. I still fight with my hands down and head movement. All-out attack.”
So, Emory also had an influence on Andrew with his strategic mind.
His Death During a Tournament
On October 17, 2015, Emory suffered a heart attack during a tournament in Milpitas, California. Following his passing, numerous international masters and grandmasters penned tributes acknowledging his impact on the chess world.
Recognizing Emory’s contributions, the Alabama Senate passed a resolution celebrating his life and legacy in 2016. Moreover, his journey and influence were documented in Daaim Shabazz’s book, ‘Triple Exclam!!! The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior.’