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"I would never give up coaching, even if the money meant nothing to me."
- GM Kaidanov
Instructor 2007, 2008

Instructors

2010


GM Larry Christiansen

  • One of the greatest attacking players in the history of the United States
  • He was a star of the Bundesliga (a German league of chess teams)
  • U.S. Champion in 1980, 1983, and 2002 (he won the title-ring in a playoff against grandmaster Nick deFirmian)
  • A major figure in international chess for over two decades, Larry is also the author of several books on the game. His latest, Storming the Barricades was published to universal acclaim in 2000.
GM Larry Christiansen
GM Alexander Yermolinsky

GM Alexander Yermolinsky

  • 1993 U.S. Co-Champ; 1996 U.S. Champion
  • Author of Road to Chess Improvement (1999)

GM Melik Khachiyan

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GM Melik Khachiyan
IM Levon Altounian

IM Levon Altounian

  • Coach of the 2005 K-5 National Champions, Castle Hill Country Day School
  • Coach of numerous talented juniors in Arizona
  • Founder of the Arizona Chess In Schools, LLC
  • Camp Director of the Western Alliance Chess Camp
  • Runs monthly chess camps
  • Lives in Tucson, Arizona (originally from Armenia)

IM Danny Rensch

  • 2004 High School National Champion
  • 2000 Junior High National Champion
  • 1998 Elementary National Champion
  • 6-Time All-American Team
  • Member of 9 National Scholastic Champion teams
  • Captain of 2003 National HS Team Champ
  • National Master at age 14
  • Owner American Chess Events – runs Master Treks in Phoenix
  • Lives in Mesa, Arizona
IM Danny Rensch
FM Robby Adamson

FM Robby Adamson

  • Coach of Catalina Foothills (9 National Champs total)
    • 2008, 2007, and 2005 High School National Champs
    • 2006 11th and 12th Grade Champs
    • 2005 11th Grade Champs
    • 2004 K-9 National Champs
  • Coached 2 other schools to National Champs (2003 – Fitch Academy and 1995 – St Gregory Prep)
  • Individual and Team Winner of 2 National Champs, and Denker Tournament of Champions
  • Lives in Tucson, Arizona

NM Leo Martinez

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NM Leo Martinez

Previous Years


GM Alexander Onischuk

  • 2006 U.S. Champion
  • Currently rated 2764
  • Lives in Virginia
GM Alexander Onischuk
GM Yuri Shulman

GM Yuri Shulman

  • Founder of Yuri Shulman International Chess School
  • Winner of 2006 U.S. Open and Runner-up in 2006 U.S. Championship
  • UTD Graduate, MBA In Finance
  • Lives in Chicago, Illinois

GM Gregory Kaidanov

  • Premier GM Chess Trainer in the U.S.
  • Head Coach of the US Chess School (www.uschessschool.com)
  • Winner of 2002 Aeroflot Open (82 GM’s in the field)
  • Lives in Lexington, Kentucky
GM Gregory Kaidanov
GM Alejandro Ramirez

GM Alejandro Ramirez

  • Became GM at age 15 and IM at age 14
  • Won Morelia 2008, and 2003 Zonal in Ecuador
  • Played in 2004 World Championship
  • Attends University of Texas at Dallas (McDermott scholar); Majoring in Arts and Technology

IM Mark Ginsburg

  • Lives in Tucson, Arizona
IM Mark Ginsburg
FM Ken Larsen

FM Ken Larsen

  • Coach of 2 National Team Champions
  • Coach of GM Tal Shaked
  • Coaches 10+ schools in Tucson, Arizona
  • Lives in Tucson, Arizona