Coach Andrew joined BAC 2016 Fall. We are delighted to have him on the board!

Hello! I’m a longtime chess professional and chess coach and I’m thrilled to be coaching at BayAreaChess since early 2017! Some of the schools I teach at include Harker School, Covington, Tulip, Palo Verde Elementary, Hoover (Burlingame), Cornerstone Academy, Hammer Montessori and Challenger Berryessa.

Brendyn Estolas started coaching for BAC in the summer of 2016.

Brendyn comes from a chess background as his grandfather, Ted, owned the Monterey Chess and Darts Center for 37 years. Ted Yudacufski was a National Tournament Director of the United States Chess Federation. In addition to his grandfather being a NTD, his mother also won the U.S. Girls Junior Chess Championship when she was 12.

Rich Willis started playing chess in the Bobby Fischer era, before the introduction of chess computers, digital chess clocks, and instructional videos. 
After Rich graduated from Duke University with an engineering degree, chess took a back seat during the next several decades as Rich married, had a family, and developed his career in technology and finance.
In 2015, Rich re-engaged with the chess world, once again participating in tournaments and surpassing his previous best rating by reaching the expert level. Rich is eager to help others pursue this path as well.

Since joining in Fall 2015, Matthew LeForce has been coaching the beginner to intermediate players at Bay Area Chess. Since finishing college with a degree in Child and Adolescent Development, Matthew has moved to Denver and became a 5th grade science teacher. Although no longer the schools, Matthew coaches our students remotely through our online classes, specifically our 2-4 level range. Chess has stayed close to his heart, and he continues to teach chess to all those willing to learn, both in person and online.

Chris has joined BayAreaChess when Castling Kid merged with BayAreaChess and is honored to coaching full time for five years .

"Kids are the greatest resource and that I am entrusted to educate them is never lost on me.”

Constantly looking for new ways to inspire and entertain Chris has integrated modern technology into his classes such as a projector and iPads (when appropriate) for speedier acclimation of information and greater attention.