Coach Lane
Lane has been teaching chess professionally for 15+ years. During that time, he has taught private lessons to over 100 students and taught extracurricular Chess Clubs at over 70 schools in the greater Seattle area. Lane has managed 10 weeks of summer chess camps each year, where he was responsible for the safety and learning of 200 students each week, including managing and training on-site staff. Lane also has 6+ years of experience training coaches on how to run chess clubs at schools. Lane has a USCF Rating of 1869 and a NWSRS rating of 1939. MORE INFO
Coach Tim
Tim has been sharing his passion for chess with students for over 25 years. A five time national scholastic champion and US Candidate Master, Tim brings his deep knowledge of chess at the highest level to help students grow their skills. As a certified FIDE trainer, Tim is an expert in the tools that young players need to succeed, and provides valuable insight into every student’s chess journey. His additional background in childhood development makes him an expert in working with students of all ages and skill levels. Tim is committed to helping every student learn and grow at their own pace. Tim has a peak USCF Rating of 2107 and a NWSRS rating of 2111. Coach Tim’s Private Lesson Schedule. Contact: moroney.tim@gmail.com
Coach Pete
Pete started his first elementary school chess club 20 years ago with the desire to bring his love of chess to aspiring young chess students. As a player, Coach Pete has competed in hundreds of tournaments, achieving a rating over 2000 and qualifying him as a National Expert. As a coach, Pete has worked with students ranging from beginners to some of the top rated scholastic players in Washington State. Coach Pete’s extensive chess knowledge helps him develop a unique success plan for each student depending on their individual needs so that they can achieve their chess goals. Pete has a peak USCF Rating of 2006. Pete offers Private Lessons: chesscoachpete@gmail.com
Coach Gil
Gil Lapid Shafriri is a National Chess Master with 20 years of experience mentoring in chess, working with students at schools and correctional facilities. Gil specializes in coaching players who are committed to putting in the work — those ready to train seriously and push their game forward. Gil has competed in numerous local and national tournaments, including the WA State Championship, and brings that competitive experience into his teaching. He offers private lessons tailored to each student’s level and goals. Gil offers Private Lessons. Contact: gillapid@gmail.com
Coach Bert
Bert has 15+ years of Elementary Chess teaching experience. He has helped run close to 100 scholastic chess tournaments, including being one of the head Tournament Directors at the Washington Elementary State Championships. Bert excels in teaching all ages of students ranging from students as young as 4 years old. We appreciate Bert helping us run many of our Excel with Chess State Qualifier Tournaments. Bert has a USCF Rating of 1573 and a NWSRS rating of 1598. Coach Bert offers Online Private Lessons: treeandleaf@gmail.com
Coach Walter
Walter’s journey in chess began at the age of 11, when his math teacher introduced him to the game. His coaching experience spans from guiding beginners through the basics of piece movement to helping advanced players master complex tactics and checkmate patterns. He has also led intensive chess camps, while helping students develop their skills and deepen their love for the game. Walter is also an avid tournament player! He has a USCF Rating of 1468 and a NWSRS rating of 1656. Walter offers Private Lessons. Contact: chesswithwalter@gmail.com
Coach Tilde
Tilde has been playing chess for over 3 years. Her favorite chess piece is the Queen, because she is the most powerful! Tilde’s favorite chess openings are the Queen’s Gambit as White and the Caro-Kann as Black. Her favorite chess tactic is the Discovered Attack. Coach Tilde excels with working with our brand new chess players!
Coach Christina
Christina helps coach our before school chess programs, our state qualifier chess tournaments, and various marketing events. She also helps with the administrative side of Excel with Chess. She brings a fun energy to our team and loves improving her chess game during her free time. Coach Christina excels at teaching the chess fundamentals and basics to our beginner level students. We are fortunate to have her on our Excel with Chess team!
Coach Kai
Kai has been playing chess competitively for the past 5 years. He’s competed in multiple national and international tournaments. Kai has an accomplished rating of 1776 USCF and 1950 FIDE. His favorite chess tactic is the Discovered Attack and excels at playing the Caro-Kann Opening as Black! Kai has also helped judge multiple chess tournaments.
Coach Valentina
Valentina has been playing chess since elementary school and brings energy, patience, and encouragement to every lesson. Her favorite piece is the knight, and she enjoys the Four Knights Game and classic tactics like the pin. As a coach, she focuses on creating a supportive learning environment where students build confidence, focus, and problem-solving skills. Valentina is passionate about supporting kids throughout their chess journeys and helping each student grow through the game.
Coach Ben
Coach Ben has been playing chess since the age of 6. His favorite chess piece is the Knight. He prefers playing the Catalan and Caro-Kann chess openings. His favorite tactic is the Fork. Ben is rating 1850 on Chess.com and has been a chess coach for a year!
Coach Jeffrey
Jeffrey has been playing chess since kindergarten and is a three-time Elementary State Champion. He is passionate about teaching and making chess club a fun place to be at. Jeffrey’s favorite opening is the Rossolimo and his favorite tactic is the Fork. His favorite chess piece is the Knight. He currently has a rating of 1950 USCF. Coach Jeffrey offers Private Lessons. Contact: jeffreyyan2001@hotmail.com
Coach Renée
Renée has been playing chess for 4 years. Her favorite opening is the London System and her favorite tactic is the Fork. Renée’s favorite chess piece is the Pawn because it’s a piece that earns its power, starts off as small often overlooked. Every move a pawn makes is out of honesty and reason, no take backs, calculated. On the board, many pawns back other pieces up so others can make it to a position where it can transform itself to achieve great power.
Coach Pola
Pola has been playing chess for 10 years. His favorite chess piece is the Knight! Pola enjoys playing the Caro Kann chess opening. His favorite chess tactic is the Discovered Attack! Pola works with all different skill levels of students. We appreciate having Coach Pola part of our team at Excel with Chess.
Coach Paul Rafac IV
Coach Rafac has been playing chess for almost 25 years. He has played and still plays in scholastic and USCF tournaments from time to time, but prefers playing over the board with friends. His background in education gives him insight into the ways people learn and grow, while his experience teaching has shown him how they think. Rafac loves helping others become the best versions of themselves – in any capacity – and strongly believes chess is the best metaphor for life. When he is not playing chess he is collecting chess boards from around the world, adding to his library of chess books, or spending time with his lovely wife.