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ImagesABOUT US

  • Bay Area Chess

    Meet our leadership team


    •  
      • Director of Enrichment
        james@bayareachess.com
         
      Zarina Azman
      Director of Operations
      zarina@bayareachess.com
       

BAC Board of Directors

 
  • Salman Azhar, PhD
    Chair of the Board
  •  
  • WIM Beatriz Marinello
  • Board Member
  •  
  • Prasad Dasari
    • Board Member
    •  
    • Surekha Nidamarty
      Board Member
 

 

Mission Statement of BayAreaChess

 
  • Transform lives through chess. 

  •  
  • BayAreaChess provides everyone with enjoyable activities that develop intellectual, mathematical, analytical, visual, and personal skills.

    BAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID: 26-2776273). 

     



    Our History

    Bay Area Chess started as a parent volunteer organization when Founder Salman Azhar's son moved to a new school with a low-quality high-cost commercial program. The goal was to sharpen the minds of our own children through top-notch instruction by deeply passionate teachers.

    Our work was so successful that other parents requested programs and events at their school. We had to grow fast and hired professional coaching and administrative staff to support the growth. Almost 15 years later, our values have remained the same and we treat all children like our own and do for them what we would do for our children. We have constantly evolved and improved our program to stay committed to that goal.

    Here are some of our key manifestations of that commitment: 
    1. We maintain a low average student-teacher ratio. 
    2. We bring coaching and events to your area at times convenient for you. 
    3. We recruit the best professional coaches by compensating them higher than commercial companies. 
    4. We maintain our fees low with the help of key volunteers who have reached a phase in their life where giving back to the community is the most important thing. 

    In 2011 BayAreaChess has gained the Nonprofit status, and operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
    We are proud to be the biggest chess non-profit organization in the West Coast, employing the largest coaching staff, organizing tournaments across the Bay Area every single weekend, providing platform the the dedicated chess players and parents to have strong training available for everyone.

    We welcome everyone and anyone into the BAC Family, and would like to Thank the love and support of the chess community.
    It's because of you we are constantly thriving to get better, and renewing our offerings to become the best chess organization in the US. 
    See how you can get involved: volunteering or supporting BAC, it has never been easier!

    Sincerely,
    - The BAC Leadership Team