Ylon Schwartz wins first WSOP gold bracelet

Former chess master Ylon Schwartz, who finished fourth in the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event, captured his first individual event title gold bracelet Saturday at the Rio.

Schwartz, formerly from New York City who now lives in Austin, Texas, won the $1,500 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. tournament, where five variations of poker are played on an alternating basis.

Schwartz topped a field of 889 players, defeating four-time gold bracelet winner David Chiu during heads up play on the fourth day of competition. He earned $267,081 for the victory — far below the nearly $3.7 million he earned for his fourth place finish in the $10,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em World Championship in 2008 as part of the first November Nine.

Schwartz earned his living playing chess until he picked up poker in 2000.

The victory was his 23rd cash at the World Series of Poker where he has earned more than $4.4 million in career earnings.