George Cunningham Prizes

George S. Cunningham was an associate professor of mathematics at the University of Maine at Orono, and founded the University's chess club. He was instrumental in his efforts to promote chess in Maine and throughout the country, and is particularly credited for his monumental work as interim Executive Director of the US Chess Federation in 1978.

The George Cunningham Brilliancy Prizes are awarded quarterly to celebrate Maine Chess Association members' games that bear the mark of brilliance, as determined by a committee appointed by MECA.

The George Cunningham Memorial Trophies, redesigned in 2021 by Andrew deMaris are awarded annually to the High School, Middle School, and Elementary School champions at the Maine Scholastic Team Chess Championships.

George Cunningham Brilliancy Prize

Cunningham Brilliancy Prizes are awarded quarterly, and are awarded based on the quarter in which the game was played.