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... | NM Elliott Neff
is the founder of Chess4Life, as well as a mostly self-taught chess master. He is well-read in chess literature and brings his extensive experience working with both younger and older players to the table in helping others achieve success in the chess world--and therefore, in life.
- United States Chess Federation (USCF) National Master ... |
GM Emil Anka
 Grand Master Emil Anka is a world class chess player and coach from Hungary that has visited Chess4Life several years. Now we welcome him as full-time coach and give congratulations on him being coach to the youngest current grandmaster in the world, Richard Rapport from Hungary (at age 13 earning his GM title). GM Emil Anka has extensive coaching experience, competitive experience, and a history of running international events - we at Chess4Life are very excited to welcome him to our team of coaches!
Some highlights from GM Emil Anka's resume:... | NM John Graves
 started playing chess in 1986 and became a National Master only 3 years later in 1989. John is also a very enthusiastic and energetic chess coach.
Chess background:
3-time WAS State Junior Champion
Several years experience teaching group and individual lessons
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FM Curt Collyer
 is a FIDE Master currently rated over 2300 and is one of Washington's top active players. In 2007, he tied for first place with Grandmaster Serper in the Washington Open, took fourth place in the WA State Championship, and won clear first in the Seattle City Championship.
Educational Background:
BA., Business (Accounting), University of Washington
... | Bert Rutgers
 has a strong chess background and has been working several years as one of the most successful coaches with beginner to intermediate students. Bert's high energy and animated character inspires and excites his students.
Education: BA in philosophy
Involved with scholastic chess since 1996... |
Michael Hosford
 learned to play "the royal game" at age 12, and began playing serious tournament chess in 1991, achieving a peak USCF rating of 1900 in August 2008. Some of his best tournament victories include sweeping the U1600 Section at the 1999 Washington Open, and Tying for 1st Place in the U1800 Division at the 2006 National Open in Las Vegas.
In the Fall of 1997 Michael started teaching chess to kids, and have been full-time since 2001. He worked as an assistant coach for The Evergreen School, helping the team win a state and national title in 2003. He's also been the head coach for Louisa May Alcott Elementary School in Redmond since 2002, helping that team win the 2008 State Championship for Grades 4-6. He's worked along side several National Masters, have done curriculum development, and have employed technology in the classroom as it pertains to chess instruction. He joined Chess4Life in October 2008 after 11 years working as an independent coach. Michael's angle on chess instruction for children is to keep it interesting by combining structure and humor. He believes young kids should enjoy chess freely, while older students should strive for excellence in their study of the game.... | Brad Stensland
 is currently a coach at Chess4Life, and has been teaching chess for a number of years. He joined the Snoqualmie Elementary School chess club as a second grader in 1987 when nobody in his family would play any games with him. He played second board from eighth grade through his junior year at Mount Si High School when he moved up to first board. He was undefeated on Board One as a senior and was in a three way tie for second place his senior year in Washington State’s High School Individual Tournament, finishing fifth in the state.
Brad has extensive experience working with children from his 15 years as a volunteer youth soccer coach as well as 11 years as a Camp Fire day camp counselor in the summer.
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| Roy Almasy
 is a joyful and patient coach who has a passion for positively impacting the lives of children. While teaching, he is uses the game of chess to teach practical life lessons.
Teaching Experience:
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Gregg Dillingham
 has worked with NM Elliott Neff for the last five years, coaching at many schools, including:
Lowell School, Seattle
The Jewish Day School, Bellevue
St. Louise Parish School, Bellevue
... | Mark Smith
 has been a chess addict for over 50 years. He loves the game for its geometry, its beauty, and its lessons of persistence, creativity, and humility.
Chess Career Highlights:
more than 700 rated games in tournaments and matches... |
Hristo Arabadjiev
 Hristo is originally from a beautiful country in Eastern Europe called Bulgaria.
He first discovered his passion for playing chess when just 5 years old. When he was 19, he competed successfully against numerous national masters, resulting in an offer to represent Bulgaria in several international tournaments.
At the same time he also had a passion for music - it was a very tough decision, but Hristo chose to follow his musical passion first. He achieved a master's degree from The Music Academy in Plovdiv and became a conductor. Later on, he established one of the most famous professional chamber choirs for orthodox music called PHILIPPOPOLIS. For eighteen years, the group performed concerts all over the world including New York, Chicago and Tennessee. In Germany, the choir recorded five different CD's.
... | Drew Dawson
 is among the top players in Washington high school chess. A quiet, kind coach, he pushes each of his students to the best of their ability. Through the game Drew both sharpens his student’s minds, and fosters positive behavior outside of chess.
Coaching Background
Drew has worked with Chess4Life for almost two years, helping run camps and Friday night quads.
One of his chess students took 3rd in the state for 1st grade after about a year of coaching.
He has been the head coach of a knight level class for about half a year.
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Brian Opalewski
 Brian has been coaching chess for the last four years and has taught at a number of schools with between 20-25 kids on average in his classes. He is an effective communicator and loves to teach.
Brian has taught at:
Louisa May Alcott Elementary
Bennett Elementary
Rosa Parks Elementary
Carnation Elementary
... | Bob Reddick
 Bob started playing chess in 1942; played on the Roosevelt High School, Vicenza Italy Military, and Arlington VA. Chess Clubs teams.
Taught sons Greg and Gene - who can still beat him at speed chess, as can some second and third graders today.
Volunteer coach at Bryant Elementary since 1999 and now coaches at three schools, plus private lessons.
Judges at many local and state tournaments.... |
NM Bruce Kovalsky
 is a highly qualified independent chess teacher. He became USCF National Master in 1983 and had a peak rating of USCF - 2278, FIDE - 2225
He has participated in the following events:
Board 4, Pan-Am Intercollegiate National Team Champions, U.C. Berkeley, 1981
... | Ethan Neff
 Chess Teaching
“Training tomorrow’s architects, doctors, and scientists!”... |
Ryan Ackerman
 Ryan Ackerman is currently studying chess 10 to 25 hours a week and enjoying lessons from Chess Master Ignacio Perez. Ryan happily encourages each of his pupils to slow down in order to consider decisive tactics or positional concepts otherwise overlooked by the common player. When a student's thought process has been cultivated to utilize their time efficiently, the student will have much better results. The benefit of students learning patience and forethought is by no means limited to their chess skills!
Ryan's accomplishments include...
Chess Career Highlights... | Conrado Julian
 Started out by teaching chess to his own kids, Conrado has now found a new passion in helping other kids. Conrado posseses an ability to capture a young mind and keep them engaged in every lesson he teaches. His son, Brian Julian in 5th grade( rated 1309) and his daughter, Erica Julian in 1st grade (935), are prodigies of his teachings. He now sets out to share the skills that he taught his own children to others.
Other affiliations:
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Vishnu Warrier
Vishnu has played chess competitively for 8 years and enjoys working as a chess coach.
His peak rating is 1790.
He was also a WA Junior Blitz Champion.
Won first place in the 2009 Junior Open section.
Qualified for the '09 Junior Closed Tournament and the 2010 WA Premier.
... | IM Eric Tangborn
Eric Tangborn is an International Master and a former Washington State champion. He grew up in Tacoma, Washington where he played on the chess teams at Jason Lee Junior High and Stadium High School.
Numerous great chess results including:
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