The CJA/Cramer Awards were announced at the US Open in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Over two hundred entries were received. This gave ample work for over twenty judges. For the first time ever, the CJA website was used to list all entries and even give links to some of the entries' sites.

Notable awards went to Yasser Seirawan for Journalist of the Year. Jerry Hanken and Daaim Shabazz were "honorably" mentioned as tying for second. Seirawan will receive the handsome Cramer trophy and have his picture displayed in each issue of Chess Life along with the other US champions. This suggestion by Don Schultz was accepted by the USCF, and this will also be a first.

Book of the Year went to John S. Hilbert for his Essays in American Chess History (Caissa Editions, PO Box 151, Yorklyn, DE 19736). Best State Magazine went to Georgia Chess and its editor Dan Lucas. Andy Soltis was Columnist of the Year.

In the non-Cramer categories, another first was achieved. Dan Heisman won three awards and was honorable mention in one. One curiosity: A crossword puzzle was entered in the "Humor" category for lack of a better category perhaps. None of the judges thought it was really "funny." However, its creativity is being recognized (a first rate crossword puzzle) by the Chief Judge with a Special Chief Judge's Award to Robert Basalla of the Ohio Chess Bulletin.

Another first, we believe, is a sad one. Edmar Mednis was the winner of the Best Analysis Endings category. It was certainly not a first time win for him as he produced much quality work that all chess fans are familiar with.

Categories such as Human Interest and Best Magazine Tournament Report had twenty entries, and both sections were hotly contested--especially the tournament section. Six writers all ended up with honorable mention as their total scores were exactly the same, but clearly trailing Daaim Shabazz's Wilbert Paige Memorial tournament report, which can be linked from the CJA main page.

All in all, this was a banner year for the CJA awards and all involved-- entrants, judges and CJA members who emailed their votes for Journalist of the Year--are thanked for this extraordinary effort!

Respectfully submitted,
Peter J. Tamburro, Jr.
Chief Judge, President, CJA

Original CJA Awards Program Announcement

CJA Awards for 2002

Following is a list of categories, the winners and honorable mentions, and a list of the CJA members who judged that particular category (in parentheses). Only material originally published during the period June 1, 2001 through May 31, 2002 was eligible for this competition.