Coaches

Coaches

This list is presented for the convenience of parents or schools looking for a coach or tutor for their chess students. This list is prepared from information submitted by the coaches. The appearance of a coach on this list does not represent an endorsement by the webmaster or any organization associated with this web site.
We encourage you to check references before hiring any coach.

NORTHEAST

Grandmaster Anatoly Lein seeks chess students from the Northeast Ohio area.  Over 50 years of high level playing and coaching experience.  Students have achieved grandmaster and international master titles.  Please call 216-991-3021 if you are interested in improving your chess.

BOBBY STEEN (Akron) My current rating is 2170. In 2006 I was the 11th grade Ohio champion. I would like my students to be in the rating range of 1000-1600. I'm from the Akron area, so students from that area would be preferable. I can be contacted at 330 668 9057 (home) or 330 703 8236 (cell).

CALVIN BLOCKER, IM (Cleveland area)
International Master. 12 time Ohio Champion. $60 per hour plus travel expenses for private lessons. 2 hour minimum by telephone, or in person. Group lessons also available. 216-921-3774

MICHAEL JOELSON (Cleveland area)
Member of Cleveland chess community as a player and tournament director for over 25 years, teaching over 10 years. Received the USCF Master title in 1988. Teaches in schools and after school programs and gives individual instruction. Has coached three Ohio Grade Level champions, and one US Grade Level champion. Beginners to 1900 level. Willing to travel. Phone 216-321-7000, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

VIVACITY, INC (Northeast Ohio)

Vivacity School of Chess offers professional instructions for groups and individuals, children and adults. Vivacity School of Chess is for customers who are looking for high quality and measurable results. Founder, Aleksandr Kitsis, rated among the top 1% of U.S. chess players, author of chess books and articles, certified chess instructor with over 20 years of coaching experience in USA and USSR. Among Mr. Kitsis students are winners of local, regional and state tournaments, winners of the 1998 World Open (U2200 section) and the 2007 and 2008 Polgar World Open for Girls.

Website: www.vivacityinc.com/chess; E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Phone: (440) 461-3634.

WUYANBU ZUTALI (Stark County)
I've been credited with developing chess in Canton/Stark County to a national scale. I've trained 11 state individual champions. My students from Canton Country Day, Hartford, Lehman, Jackson Middle School and McKinley High School have won more than 30 state titles. I do not travel outside Stark County. Call 330 456-2759 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CENTRAL

Tom Britt  (Central Ohio)  Current Active USCF Chess Master [Rated 2214] - Former Co-Champion of Central Ohio, Co-Winner of Columbus Open, 10+ years coaching experience. Many students have received scholastic titles in state and national tournaments. Rates are $40/hour in Hilliard, add travel expense elsewhere. My chess camps have been quite successful. Private lessons in group format (discounted rate) are also available. All skill levels are welcome.

Michael Vilenchuk (Central Ohio)

Current rating 2224, Master. Ohio Middle School Champion 2006,2007,2008. 2009 Ohio High School Champion, and 2011 current reigning Ohio High School Champion. Also co-champion of the 2010 National High School Championship, and 2nd place at the 2011 National High School Championship. Michael Vilenchuk has over 5 years of teaching experience in schools, private lessons, and group lessons. Many of Michael's students have won top places and numerous awards, inducing 5 Ohio Grade Level State Champions. Offer private and group lessons. You can contact him at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kasun Waidyaratne (Northwest Columbus)

SINAN MURAT BAUGHMAN (Columbus area)

Life Expert, 2024 rating. Target students are intermediate to advanced players, (rating range 800-1500). I have an offbeat style and teach a creative yet logical approach to chess. I also try to make it interesting and fun to make learning more enjoyable. email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Home phone 614-268-0833

CHUCK DIEBERT (Columbus Area)
Life Master since 1982. 8-time Columbus City Champion and 6-time Runner-up. Winner of more than 150 rated tournaments. Taught High School English and Shakespeare from 1976-1988 and has been teaching chess full time ever since. Has coached numerous Individual and Team State and National Champions. Founder and coach of the Phoenix Chess Club in Upper Arlington. Currently runs the chess programs in Granville, RL Stephenson Elementary, Norwich Elementary, Barrington Elementary and St. Agatha. Call (614) 558-6044. http://www.chuckdiebertchess.com/

MIKE DIXON (Central Ohio)
Current chess coach at the Bexley Elementary Public Schools and Columbus School for Girls. Started chess programs at Columbus Academy, Wellington, New Albany, St. Brigid of Kildare and The Canterbury School (Ind.). Have coached over 25 Individual State Champions and over 25 Team State Champions as well as 3 National Champions and several National Champion contenders (top 10). Past State Champions at all levels in Ohio (Kindergarten, Primary, Elementary, Middle School and High School). Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

KYLE JONES (Columbus area)
Student at the Ohio State University. Life Expert - 2000 rating, 7-time National Scholastic Champion, 7-time State Scholastic Champion. 7 years of teaching experience, including coaching the 2004 State Champion team Ridgeview Middle School, Columbus Alternative freshman team, McGuffey Elementary, and Ecole Kenwood. I have coached 6 state champion individuals along with 2 national champion individuals. Target students intermediate to advanced players (Rating range: 800-1500) in central Ohio area. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MARK DAVID WRIGHT
Mark David Wright has been coaching chess for over 4 years.  His students have achieved State and National titles.  He currently coaches at Avery Elementary in Hilliard, Hanby Elementary in Westerville, and in the Olentangy School District.  Mark David Wright is a scholastic player who has achieved State and National titles, he is rated 1750. He coaches individual players from beginner up to 1400.  Please visit www.chessclub4kids.com e-mail  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CCL – Columbus Branch

A chess program dedicated to the needs of the advanced student. In a team approach, a group of National Masters and International Masters have gathered together to provide the very best in high level instruction. This program is only for advanced students who are actively playing in chess tournaments. Students do not have to live locally as we provide Internet based instruction as well. More information can be found at http://cclchess.com . The program director, Alan Casden, can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 614-561-2718 .

DRAGON CHESS CENTER (Central Ohio)

Dragon Chess Center has emerged as a chess power house in Ohio chess circle in very short period of time. Dragon Chess Center and her affiliated school chess programs have generated numerous individual grade level state champions. Coach Jay Mao has developed unique training methods which can help students build a solid foundation and make fast improvement for students at age 5 or up. For more information, visit our web site at: http://www.dragonchesscenter.com or contact Coach Jay Mao at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (614) 891-0017.

 SOUTHWEST

CHRISTOPHER DORR (Cincinnati Area)
Life Master, Former Cincinnati City Champion, 15 years experience as chess teacher, several students have been among the top 50 in their age groups in the US. Target Audience: Beginner through 1800. have worked with students aged 5 through 81 years. Training customized to each player, including extensive analysis and graphing of student games. Geographical coverage: Greater Cincinnati area Contact information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , telephone 513-471-7272

CCL - Cincinnati Branch

The Cincinnati Branch is led by FIDE Master and USCF Life Master Hans Multhopp, who has 30 years’ experience as a chess coach. In a team approach, a group of National Masters and International Masters have gathered together to provide the very best in high level instruction. This program is only for advanced students who are actively playing in chess tournaments. Students do not have to live locally as we provide Internet based instruction as well. More information can be found at http://cclchess.com . The program director, Alan Casden, can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 614-561-2718

DRAGON CHESS CENTER (Greater Cincinnati Area)

Dragon Chess Center established a branch in greater Cincinnati area in 2011. Dragon Chess Center and her affiliated school chess programs have generated numerous individual grade level state champions. Coach Jay Mao has developed unique training methods which can help students build a solid foundation and make fast improvement for students at age 5 or up. For more information, visit our web site at: http://www.dragonchesscenter.com or contact Coach Jay Mao at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (614) 891-0017.