Local Chess Coaches
Interested in lessons with one of our local coaches? Contact us for more details!
Fort Bend & Katy Chess Club Coaches:
(select a name to see a bio)
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Coach Elena​​
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Affiliate Coaches:
(Younger coaches with less experience)
Coach Chuck
Coach Chuck Hinkle began teaching adults and children in 1997. He was the 1978 Kansas High School State Champion and is a United States Chess Federation Tournament Director. He founded the Fort Bend Chess Club and created a systematic chess curriculum. He specializes in teaching endgames and beginning, intermediate, and advanced tactics.
Available for in-person and online coaching.
Coach Wei
Coach Wei Yang is a math Ph.D. and math professor. He has played chess for more than 15 years. He is a United States Chess Federation Tournament Director. He has over 10 years of chess teaching experience and has been teaching chess and math ever since he was a college student. He particularly enjoys playing speed games and encourages his students to improve their speed rating as well.
Coach Wei is able to coach in English or in Chinese for students also trying to improve their language skills.
Available for in-person and online coaching.
Coach John
A USCF Candidate Master and experienced academic chess coach, John has been teaching chess classes and organizing tournaments in the Houston and Katy areas since 2008.
Mr. Hendrick graduated cum laude in 2005 with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Anthropology. His passion for chess began in middle school, and by his sophomore year, he became the 1996 Texas State Scholastic Champion. This experience solidified his belief that chess is a lifelong endeavor, and he’s been dedicated to sharing it ever since.
Always seeking innovative teaching methods, Mr. Hendrick tailors training and curriculum to help students—both children and adults—improve rapidly and reach their full potential.
Coach Elena Stuckert
Elena Stuckert is an accomplished chess coach and experienced educator with a solid foundation in public schools and a bachelor's degree in Geography and Kinesiology. With a background deeply rooted in a family of passionate chess enthusiasts, Ms. Stuckert has honed her skills and achieved notable success in tournaments. Her greatest joy comes from nurturing young talents, guiding them to shine on the competitive stage.
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Driven by a commitment to excellence, Ms. Stuckert is dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching learning experience. Her goal is to transform each chess move into a stepping stone towards growth and accomplishment for her students. Through her guidance and expertise, Ms. Stuckert aims to empower the next generation of chess enthusiasts to reach their full potential
Coach Ulvi
Coach Ulvi Bajarani has more than 20 years of experience and received the International Grandmaster title in 2013.
His tournament record includes victories in the Azerbaijan Championship in 2014 and in the Texas Superfinals tournament with UT Rio Grande Valley in 2021. He represented Azerbaijan in the Chess Olympiad 2016.
Since 2016, he has been sharing his rich experience with chess players in lessons and self-published books. He is fluent in English, Russian, Azerbaijani, and Turkish, and he also has a broad knowledge of chess, including openings, tactics, positional play, endgame, and chess psychology.
Available for in-person and online coaching.
Coach Fredric
Coach Fredric is a 1500-level USCF player who has been coaching for the Steve Jacobs Chess School, TH Rogers, and ChessMasters since 2011. He is an attacking and endgame specialist.
Available for online coaching.
Coach Brittany
Brittany is a recent graduate from Rice University with a USCF rating of 1967. She first began teaching chess in 2015, and since then, she’s worked with national masters and experts to help young students with their competitive chess game. She was invited to represent the United States at the age of 10 to compete in the international youth championships.
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Brittany focuses on chess tactics and strategy and also on chess theory for a well-rounded session.
Available for online coaching.
Coach RC
RC is a freshman at UofH. He’s been playing chess since 2010 and specializes in coaching children. He has been coaching since Spring, 2022. Parents report that their children find it very easy to comfortable to him. He mostly uses the same curriculum and lessons that were developed by Coach Chuck.
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Available for in-person and online coaching. He has coached one-on-one and also small groups.
Coach Nidhish
Nidhish has been playing chess since he was 6 years old and understands the mind of a child and how it works. He uses this skill to guide children through becoming a better chess player. He has participated in USCF tournaments since the age of 8 and has a peak USCF rating of 1350.
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Available for in-person coaching.
Coach Lance
Lance will attend 9th grade at Fort Bend ISD Medical Academy in Fall 2024. His passion for chess began at age 10, inspired by a young chess master. He quickly immersed himself in the game, dedicating countless hours to study and competition. At 12, he entered his first tournament and has since competed in local and citywide championships.
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With a 1500 rating and years of tournament experience, Lance brings patience, expertise, and enthusiasm to coaching. He tailors his approach to each student—whether teaching fundamentals to beginners or refining strategies for advanced players.
Lance is available for in-person coaching and committed to helping students reach their full potential on the chessboard.
Coach Aaron Faraías
Aaron Faraias, an accomplished chess coach, stands as a testament to excellence in the chess community. With a remarkable track record, Aaron's achievements in chess are notable: Overall National Ranking: 13,073 (Tied) out of 79,532, placing him in the 83.6 percentile. Junior National Ranking: 4,369 (Tied) out of 59,590, showcasing him in the 92.7 percentile. State Ranking in Texas: 985 (Tied) out of 11,505, affirming his position in the 91.5 percentile. These rankings highlight Aaron's profound skill and strategic acumen in the competitive chess landscape, both at a national and state level. His deep understanding and appreciation of chess nuances make him a remarkable educator and mentor.
