More kids. More chess. More fun!

President, 2024 -2026
Member-At-Large, 2017-2024

Phil is an alternative education teacher and chess club advisor in Albany, OR, where he hosts team-based tournaments for players in the mid-Willamette Valley.

Phil has a passion for teaching chess to beginners and bringing chess into school libraries and classrooms, especially in Special Education classrooms.

Phil grew up in Kansas, where as a high schooler he got to sit down for a fast chess game with the former USSR President Mikail Gorbachev and World Champion Anatoly Karpov at a "Chess For Peace" conference in Lindsborg, KS, an inspiring moment that still motivates Phil to this day!

Vice President, 2024-2026
Member-At-Large, 2022-24

Lilly is a chess mom to two avid chess kids. She appreciates the dedication chess players have to possess to keep improving, which is the foundation for any future endeavor. Chess teaches them sportsmanship, fairness, respect, patience and self-confidence, especially when facing losses. Chess also connects the kids with players worldwide, young and old, male and female, which makes attending chess tournaments a perfect excuse to travel around the world. She couldn’t be more thankful for the after school chess club run by parent volunteers, which is where everything started. Lilly looks forward to helping more kids enjoy the charm of chess.

Treasurer, 2024-2026
Member-At-Large, 2016-2024

Mike is a former engineer turned high school math teacher. He attributes his involvement in scholastic chess all to Harry Potter’s wizard’s chess scene. In the summer of 2005, my 5-year old son asked to learn how to play chess after seeing the movie. Shortly thereafter his 7-year old sister and 3-year old brother were playing, too. That fall some students asked to start a chess club at Willamette High School and when no one else stepped forward, I chalked it up to destiny and volunteered after learning that there was a Midwestern Chess League to compete in locally. Somewhere along the way I wound up taking over the TD duties for the league. Over the past few years I have been putting on tournaments in the Bethel area of west Eugene that are open to all ages. As a board member I plan to continue expanding chess opportunities in the southern Willamette valley.

Secretary, 2024-2026
Member-At-Large 2024-2026

Past-President, 2024-2026
President 2022-2024
Vice President 2020-2022
Member-At-Large, 2018-2020

Chad is the Founder of Rose City Chess. He started as a volunteer for Chess for Success at Hayhurst Elementary School in 2016, where all three of his children played on the school’s award-winning chess team. He holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy and has published research on out-of-school learning.

Treasurer 2024
Vice President and Past President, 2022-2024
President 2015-22
Member-At-Large, 2014-15

Rebecca is a fundraiser for Lewis & Clark College, musician, Spanish speaker, and trained school psychologist. She was led into the chess world by her four-year-old son who begged her to teach him the game, not knowing it would lead to so much fun and fellowship with other chess families. She has seen her son gain confidence and pride in his abilities, all while learning the value of working hard to reach a goal. Rebecca looks forward to encouraging more kids and families to play chess for fun and friendly competition.

Member-At-Large, 2022-2024

Member-At-Large 2024-2026

Member-At-Large, 2017-2025

Dwayne played on the Templeton Elementary Chess Team in Tigard. He hadn’t played a game in over 15 years until he decided to teach his second grader at Hope Chinese Charter School. Dwayne connected with other parents at HCCS and they started a Chess Team. It soon grew to be the most popular club activity at the school, growing from just 5 students to over 60.

Dwayne believes chess build character by teaching that you don’t always win all the time, and if you want a medal or trophy, you need to earn it. Chess teaches the value of practice and hard work, concentration, strategy, and sportsmanship. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a volunteer chess coach is seeing a new player transform into a champion.

Member-At-Large 2024-2026

Member-At-Large 2024-2026

Member-At-Large 2024-2026

Member-At-Large 2024-2026